Iwi and Community Relationships Manager at Meridian Energy · Flexible

Company Description

Mai te hiku ki te taurapa, whitikina e te rā

From the tail of the fish to the tail of the waka, shines the sun

This whakataukī speaks to our journey across Aotearoa, one waka, one purpose, powered by the natural forces that sustain us. Meridian is Aotearoa’s largest renewable electricity producer, generating energy from the winds of Tāwhirimātea, the waters of Tangaroa, and the warmth of Tama-nui-te-rā.  

Together, our two brands, Meridian and Powershop retail electricity to more than 400,000 homes, businesses and farms across New Zealand. Now that’s a pretty impressive combo!   

Mō te tūranga | About the role

Meridian are currently hiring an Iwi and Community Relationships Manager. The location for the role is flexible, based within commutable distance of our main hubs (Christchurch, Twizel or Wellington).

As Meridian’s Iwi & Community Relationships Manager, you’ll lead our national community engagement portfolio by establishing a dedicated iwi relationship programme, building on the valuable groundwork already underway across the business and shaping it into a consistent, enduring approach.

Furthermore, you’ll review and manage our established community fund and design initiatives that deepen Meridian’s connection with communities and iwi around our Generation sites.

This is a role that brings together strategy, delivery and stakeholder engagement to set the direction for values-led, regionally grounded and mana-enhancing engagement across Aotearoa. If you’re looking for a role where your work strengthens our social licence to operate and builds trusted partnerships that genuinely matter, this is it.

Ngā pukenga kei a koe mō tēnei tūranga | What you’ll bring

We’re looking for a confident leader who can move easily between strategy and delivery, someone with proficiency in te reo Māori and tikanga Māori, a strong track record of managing complex stakeholder relationships, and the programme management discipline to turn ambitious plans into meaningful outcomes. You’ll partner closely with our Kaihautū, asset, project and regional teams, while owning programme budgets and forecasting and championing social and environmental return on investment.

Other desirable experience and skills include:

• Build and steward trusted and enduring relationships with key stakeholders, community’s & iwi across Meridian’s Generation asset portfolio.
• Translate Meridian’s iwi strategy into practical, site‑level engagement alongside the Kaihautū.
• Ensure iwi and community perspectives are understood and represented in Generation planning and decision-making working closely with Kauhautu Māori and Development.
• Be a trusted partner and primary point of contact for community, sponsorship and partnership related matters across Generation.
• Create, manage and deliver a national level programme of iwi and community relationship initiatives.

Ngā painga ki a mātou | What we can offer

We value work/life balance, so our flexible work options (where possible) make things easier for you and your whānau. We also offer:

• An attractive and competitive salary package that’s reviewed annually, performance-incentive, plus discounts from several partnerships.
• Southern Cross Healthcare - Wellbeing one insurance, funded scheme for eligible employees to give you that extra peace of mind
• Enhanced leave provisions: three company paid days (over the holiday period), enhanced parental leave and options to buy up to 12 days additional leave
• Life, trauma and income protection insurance (which we hope you won’t need!)
• Enhanced KiwiSaver contributions
• Access to the Meridian employee share scheme
• Excellent learning and development opportunities, we want you to be the best version of yourself and will help you get there!
• Award winning wellbeing programme that provides support whenever and wherever you need it
• Employee discounts off your power with Meridian, every bit counts
• A one-off $400 payment to support your work from home set-up (if needed)

He aha koe i hono mai ai ki a mātou? | Why join us?

We’re a great place to work with plenty of opportunities and career development for those that want it. We value and live by three ‘How to Be’s’: ‘be gutsy’, working together by ‘being in the waka’ and doing the right thing by ‘being a good human’.

We embrace diversity and inclusion and ensure that everyone feels like they belong, are welcomed, feel valued, and feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work. We want all our people to be the best that they can be, so we make sure that there’s room for everyone to be exactly who they are, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, including individuals with disabilities, diverse health needs, and those who identify as neurodiverse, because we believe our differences make us stronger. We believe that fun is good for you, and we make sure that our office vibe reflects that. We support each other and celebrate our successes.

Sustainability sits firmly in our DNA – both socially and environmentally – and we’re doing what we can to help Aotearoa reduce their carbon emissions and we’re helping support others in our generation communities to do the same.

Tono mai ināianei tonu | Apply now

All in all, we’re a genuinely great place to work, with meaningful work, supportive teams, and a clear purpose. If this role sounds like a fit and you’re keen to make a real impact on New Zealand’s energy future, apply today and tell us what you’ll bring to the role.

If you’ve got any questions, please email careers@meridianenergy.co.nz. We’re committed to becoming more accessible and providing support if needed. Please get in touch if there are parts of our process you would like assistance with (process found here: meridianenergy.co.nz/careers).

View the full Iwi and Community Relationships Manager JD.

Location - Flexible

Advertising closes Monday 13th July.