Manager - Community Engagement and Partnerships

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Empower communities by shaping meaningful relationships and local partnership

• Provide strategic support to identify and prioritise key regional relationships

• Lead a high performing team dedicated to strengthening relationships

Te whiwhinga mahi - Our opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the way we connect with communities on a strategic level, and to influence our programmes through your depth of regional knowledge and understanding. As Manager – Community Engagement and Partnerships, you will develop and lead a high performing team dedicated to strengthening relationships with communities and key regional stakeholders. In this role, you'll lead a team that engages with community stakeholders to better understand their needs and aspirations, and supports key Kāinga Ora engagement and community development activities.

Working closely with the Regional Director, you’ll provide strategic advice to identify and prioritise key regional relationships, ensure risks and opportunities are well managed, and contribute to the creation of Regional Plans that genuinely reflect community needs and aspirations. You’ll oversee the delivery of regional engagement, community development and placemaking strategies, while monitoring and continuously improving engagement effectiveness in partnership with national subject matter experts.

You will also collaborate with Te Kurutao Regional Managers to ensure an integrated approach to iwi and hapū engagement, and offer valuable insight to support housing supply planning. Success in this role will rely on your ability to build strong relationships across Kāinga Ora teams—including Operations, Communications, Property, Development and Partnerships—while engaging confidently with local and central government, NGOs, and community groups.

Based in one of our Central and East Auckland offices, this role will be working across multiple offices (and includes Newmarket, Ellerslie, Morningside, CBD and Mount Roskill).

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu - What you will bring

• A wealth of experience leading highly skilled, high performing and engaged management and professional teams in a multi-faceted and demanding environment

• Knowledge and experience working collaboratively with the wider Auckland community, coming from a position of mana and with existing networks in place and a sound understanding of the region

• Engagement qualifications such as IAP2 or equivalent, together with demonstrated experience in engagement, community development or a similar role

• A sound understanding of Aotearoa's social housing and property sectors, coupled with an interest in public sector structure, governance, processes and systems

• You'll role model our partnership obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and demonstrate a high emotional intelligence with empathy, courage and resilience

• As this role requires travel around the Auckland region, you'll hold a full and current New Zealand driver licence

Nōu te rourou - What's in it for you?

We offer competitive salaries, five weeks' annual leave, and flexible working arrangements.

As a Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities employee, we want to make sure that you have all the tools and support you need. We want to ensure you are healthy and have work-life balance.

Mō mātou - Our Organisation

At Kāinga Ora, ours is the important responsibility of transforming New Zealand’s housing choices, outcomes and the entire housing sector by creating homes and communities that allow New Zealanders to thrive.

What is exciting about working for Kāinga Ora is getting the chance to make a real and positive impact on New Zealanders’ lives. With skills, planning and purposeful action, our people are creating the homes and neighbourhoods that will build the future of Aotearoa.

We are passionate about transforming New Zealand for the better. That includes being a trusted partner for Māori and iwi, protecting and enabling their rights, interests and aspirations under the guidance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Ō tātou uara - Our values

Our values were developed by us, for us. They unite us as an organisation and guide how we work every day. Our values are:

• Manaakitanga – People at the Heart

• Mahi Tahi – Better Together

• Whanake – Be Bold

Tūhono mai - Join us

To view the position description and apply for this role, please follow the online process via https://careers.kaingaora.govt.nz. Please note: all applicants, including existing employees, need to follow this process. If you have any questions about this role, please contact kaingaora.recruit@kaingaora.govt.nz

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we may progress suitable candidates prior to the closing date. This helps us ensure a timely and streamlined recruitment process and supports prompt feedback for all applicants.

Applications close on 31 October 2026 11:55pm.

We value diversity and are committed to working with each other and our customers in an inclusive and respectful way. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and appreciate the richness of experience that your point of difference brings to the organisation.