Strategic Communications Lead (12-month role)
Strategic Communications Lead (12-month fixed-term position)
Mō te Tūranga | About the Role
As Strategic Communications Lead, you will shape how Southern Cross Healthcare tells its story - connecting people, strategy, and purpose across our entire network. Working alongside an existing BAU internal communications function, you’ll lift the enterprise communications to the next level by leading the design and delivery of a modern enterprise communications and channel strategy.
You’ll own the development and support the execution of the enterprise-wide communications strategy, frameworks, and channels - lifting the impact of internal communications across wholly owned, subsidiary, and joint venture businesses across >100 sites of care nationally. With a strong network-wide lens, you’ll develop and embed the frameworks and channels for best-practice communication that drive alignment, two-way communication, engagement, and clarity at every level of the organisation
Working closely with Digital Services and our internal communications leaders, you’ll champion workplace technology and new tools that make communication more accessible, effective, and engaging for a predominately clinical workforce. You’ll also play a pivotal role in shaping leadership communications - developing high-impact executive engagement frameworks and acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders during moments of change and transformation. In establishing strong enterprise communications frameworks, you will foster strong collaboration across Internal Comms, P&C, Strategy, EPMO and Brand and Marketing.
This role is about elevating enterprise communications to the next level; to support alignment and engagement as the Southern Cross Healthcare network undertakes an ambitious transformational strategy. The result? Clear, confident, and compelling enterprise communications that unite our people, amplify our strategy, and help Southern Cross Healthcare deliver on its purpose. This is a full-time 12-month fixed term position based in our National Support Office.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
- Proven expertise with 10+ years shaping enterprise and organisational communications that drive impact.
- Visionary leadership in crafting and executing communications strategies and frameworks that inspire and deliver results.
- Executive-level influence, with the ability to advise and engage senior stakeholders confidently and effectively.
- Digital-first mindset, leveraging cutting-edge workplace platforms and technologies to connect and engage.
- Track record of building high-performing teams, collaboration, fostering capability, and leading with purpose for over a decade.
- Agility under pressure, thriving in fast-paced environments and solving complex challenges with speed and creativity.
- Strategic influence in complex organizations, navigating matrix structures to achieve bold outcomes.
- Solid academic foundation, with tertiary qualifications in communications or business (postgraduate credentials a plus).
- Corporate savvy, honed through experience in large-scale enterprises across companies such as FMCG, banking, retail, and distributed networks.
- Executive presence, partnering with senior leaders to deliver polished, high-impact communications every time.
- Master storyteller, transforming multiple threads of information into clear, compelling strategies that resonate.
- Media-ready confidence, anticipating needs, managing media engagement, and staying ahead of the curve.
Ngā mea ka taea e mātou te tuku I a koe | What we can offer you:
- Competitive Rewards: Attractive remuneration package and relocation allowance.
- Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive wellbeing programme, and generous Christmas/New Year breaks.
- Flexibility & Growth: Flexible working arrangements and a Nursing Council of New Zealand-approved PDRP.
- Perks & Community: Discounts from a range of partners and the opportunity to join our Employee Network.
Ko wai matou | Our Organisation
At Southern Cross Healthcare, our values shape everything we do:
- Care First – We lead with compassion, delivering care that’s deeply human through genuine manaakitanga.
- Better Together – Collaboration is our strength. We unite diverse skills and perspectives to create better outcomes for all.
- Pursue Excellence – We strive to improve, innovate, and excel every day—never settling, always aiming to deliver our best.
If you have specific needs or would like to discuss how we can support you, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at careers@schl.co.nz for a confidential conversation.
Haere mai, ā, mā te mahi tahi ka whai wāhi ki tētahi mea whai take, ka āwhina i ngā tāngata ki te whai oranga mā te whakaaro anō ki te tautiaki hauora
Join us, and together, each of us can be part of something important, helping people live their best lives by reimagining healthcare.
