Communications Manager - Bowel Cancer New Zealand - Auckland

About Bowel Cancer New Zealand

We are a charity, established by bowel cancer survivors, and now a fast-growing movement of tens of thousands of supporters with a thriving active patient community.  We provide a wide range of practical help and emotional support to people impacted by bowel cancer. 

We reach over half a million New Zealanders each year to raise awareness among consumers, communities, companies, and clinicians.  We fund promising research and advocate for patients’ interests to drive the ambitions of policymakers and health leaders.

We champion equity, prevention, earlier screening and detection, high-quality treatment, and compassionate care for a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer. 

We do all this through an amazing supportive, dedicated team working with passion and kindness, with grassroots effort, creativity, and innovation to make a difference every day. 

About the role:

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated Communications Manager to lead and deliver our communications, marketing and media relations. 

In this role you will:

• Develop and implement vibrant dynamic strategic communications, social media, and public awareness campaigns with community participation which elevate our cause and visibility to the people we need to reach, capturing attention and shaping thinking.
• Oversee, create, and curate engaging content across digital and print platforms - including newsletters, social media, website, and media releases - to inform, inspire, and mobilise key audiences. You’ll mastermind our online presence and be the champion of our brand.
• Provide purpose-driven leadership within the BCNZ team, and to staff you manage, fostering a collaborative and values-based work environment
• Lead media outreach to support journalists to build and break impactful stories and news, promote our work, and position us as a trusted voice on issues that affect bowel cancer patients, drawing subject expertise from our medical advisors.
• Work closely with the CEO to expand our public relations and advocacy work, developing compelling collateral, proactive strategic message management, and building effective partnerships to shape public policy that advances patient needs.
• Work closely with the Fundraising Manager, providing communications and marketing support for campaigns and fundraising initiatives, and building strong connections with our community of supporters, fundraisers, donors and partners to help grow a passionate, collaborative movement for change across Aotearoa.

About you:

• You will likely have a tertiary qualification in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations or a related field.  You will have 2 or more years’ experience in a communications and media relations leadership role.
• You’ll be a well-rounded communications and marketing professional - strategic, creative, and hands-on across channels, tools, and content types.
• You will be known for your outstanding written, verbal and visual communication skills that you adapt with emotional intelligence for diverse audiences and channels.
• You’ll have delivered successful awareness and media campaigns that achieve measurable results.
• You’ll be that rare breed of a highly practical thinker with a curious, analytical mind. 
• You’ll enjoy driving initiatives from concept, to plan, to on-time implementation in an organised way, taking people with you, and solving problems along the way.
• You will be skilled in networking, building trusted reciprocal relationships across healthcare, government, corporate and community sectors, and with our Pacific and Māori partners and stakeholders.
• You’ll know how to get things done with digital proficiency, including content creation, and be confident with the use of content management systems, social media platforms, and MS Office.
• You will have experience of working flexibly within a small team, and small to medium sized organisations with agility and drive to make things happen.
• You will be able and happy to work from home but open to hybrid working in an Auckland-based office at some point in the future.
• Most importantly, you’ll be 100% sold on our mission and values – that may come from a family, friend or personal experience of cancer, or not – but you will have strong empathy with our cause and tenacious drive to make a difference

About the next steps:

This role is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to step up and lead in a medium sized charity that is growing in both size and impact.  If you’re a self-starting communications and marketing professional with a proven track record, and a deep commitment to positive change, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and be part of the future we’re building.

Submit your CV and cover letter to: Peter Huskinson, Chief Executive at office@bowelcancernz.org.nz

Thinking of applying but have queries? Drop us a line at office@bowelcancernz.org.nz and we'll get back to you.

Applications close: Tuesday 20th May 2025.  First stage interviews planned for Tuesday 27th May.  Final interview on Tuesday 3rd June.  Interviews will be in person in the Auckland CBD.