Communications and Engagement Lead

About Ara Education Charitable Trust (AECT)

The Ara Education Charitable Trust (AECT) was founded through a unique and successful partnership between industry, government agencies, and five visionary school principals.

Our goal : to create meaningful employment and training opportunities for school leavers in South Auckland.

We are proud of our innovative model and the positive impact we've had in empowering rangatahi in our community to thrive through education, employment, and holistic support.

About the Role

The purpose of the Communications and Engagement Lead (Full time or Part time) is to make sure the work we do at Ara is visible, valued, and supported — through great communication and strong relationships with our community and partners.

This role is critical in telling the story of who Ara is, enabling us to work with more employers, youth, and community members.

Key Responsibilities

Communication and Brand

Develop a strong brand story for Ara

Develop all internal and external communications including annual reports, website, social media, and other channels

Manage all communication and social media platforms

Develop marketing and communications plan to support Ara’s objectives

Support the leadership team to develop communications, papers, and reports as required

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

Build and maintain relationships with key community groups

Build and maintain relationships with funders, philanthropic partners, and media

Develop and deliver a community engagement strategy that supports Ara to meet its strategic objectives

Work with the GM and wider leadership team to develop engagement initiatives with prospective employers, providers, participants, and other potential stakeholders

Deliver engaging presentations to current and prospective partners that showcase Ara’s story

Event Management

Lead the planning and delivery of key events including graduations, community engagement events, funding briefings, etc.

Ensure that events are culturally responsive to the audiences being delivered with

Reporting and Leads Management

Develop and maintain effective reporting metrics for all marketing and communication initiatives

Effectively manage all leads that arise from marketing and engagement campaigns

Work effectively with internal stakeholders to ensure all leads are passed on to the correct teams

Cultural Responsiveness

Engage effectively with the communities and stakeholders that Ara works with including schools, employers, iwi, Pasifika groups, and other community groups

Financial Management

Manage budgetary requirements ensuring expenditure aligns with approved budgets and financial policies

Health and Safety

Promote and uphold a positive health and safety culture by complying with all H&S policies, identifying and managing risks, reporting incidents, and ensuring the safe use of equipment while actively participating in safety initiatives and training.

Experience & Skills

Essential :

5+ years’ experience in communications, community engagement, or marketing roles

Proven experience developing and executing internal and external communications strategies

Demonstrated ability to craft compelling brand narratives and messaging across multiple platforms

Strong experience in community engagement, particularly with diverse communities, ideally within South Auckland

Proficiency in managing social media, websites, newsletters, and digital communication tools

Experience in planning, promoting, and delivering events, including stakeholder management and logistics

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for different audiences

Lived experience or strong cultural competency engaging with Pasifika and Māori communities

Desirable :

Familiarity with the not-for-profit or charitable sector, including funding and stakeholder reporting

Knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application in community and communications work

Experience in graphic design, video content creation, or use of design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Suite)

Basic understanding of marketing analytics and tools to measure campaign success

Qualifications

Essential :

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Education or a related field

Expected Outcomes / Deliverables

Consistent, professional communications are distributed regularly

Development of communication and engagement plan

4–6 well-run stakeholder events delivered annually

Increased awareness and reputation in the community and sector

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