Central Kids | Hamilton or Rotorua | Permanent Full-Time

Mō mātou | About Us

Central Kids is a not-for-profit organisation operating 47 early learning services across 27 towns in the North Island. Alongside our early learning services, we also operate wrap-around whānau support services.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Lead brand development, bicultural communications, community engagement, and national advocacy as part of our senior leadership team transformation. You’ll position Central Kids as known and trusted while ensuring tamariki and whānau voices inform our decision-making.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop brand strategy across 47 services that honours whakapapa and future aspirations
• Lead bicultural communications that authentically represent te ao Māori and diverse community perspectives
• Establish engagement systems that capture and elevate whānau voice at scale
• Drive national advocacy to influence policy alongside the Kaihautū (CEO)
• Build strategic partnerships with iwi, hapū, government, funders, and sector bodies
• Manage media relations and crisis communications
• Lead marketing efforts

Ko wai koe| About you

• 5+ years senior leadership in brand, marketing, or communications with Board or executive reporting experience
• Demonstrated success developing brand strategies in multi-site or geographically dispersed organisations
• Deep understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and proven ability to lead bicultural engagement
• Track record establishing engagement systems with diverse communities
• Experience in advocacy and stakeholder engagement at regional or national level
• Strong storytelling capability across digital and traditional platforms
• Authentic relationships with Māori communities, iwi, and hapū
• Experience in not-for-profit, education, or social services sectors

Desirable: Te reo Māori proficiency, change communications experience, community co-design methodologies

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

To receive the position description and related collateral or to book a confidential discussion with Raewyn Brown, email info@amytea.co.nz.

To apply, please email your cover letter and CV to apply@amytea.co.nz

Applications close Friday 23 January 2026

You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand to apply for this job.