Join us

Being independent and employee-owned defines our culture. We are ethical and inclusive with shared values of creativity in our thinking, credibility in our teams, energy in our actions and real warmth in our relationships.

We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of people, organisations and brands on campaigns that make a difference. Our work is interesting, challenging and fun. And that’s just how we like it.

We nurture and invest in our team through informal and formal training, peer review, coaching and mentoring. We provide opportunities for growth and are flexible.

Our people learn not just how to use AI, but how to think with it – developing the judgement, analysis and creativity to deliver distinctive, high-value advice for clients.

We believe in creating conversations that matter.

If you’d like to know more, please get in touch, or scroll down to see current vacancies.

Government relations adviser

Account Manager to Account Director | Wellington

• Apply your understanding of government and politics in a commercial advisory environment
• Advise leading organisations across business and not-for-profits on government relations and public policy
• Grow with an independent, locally owned agency offering mentoring, career progression and employee trust participation

Join a team that brings different perspectives together

Acumen is an independent, locally owned specialist corporate and marketing PR and communications agency. We help organisations evolve, promote and protect brands and reputations through conversations that matter.

Our work sits at the intersection of business, government, media and communities. We combine specialist communications strategy and public policy expertise with sector knowledge, commercial understanding and insight into people, culture, media and political environments.

For someone from Parliament or the public sector, Acumen offers a valuable next step: the chance to apply your experience to the commercial, operational and reputational decisions facing organisations. For someone already in government relations, public affairs or corporate affairs, it offers the breadth of an integrated communications agency and the opportunity to extend your advisory skills.

The opportunity

Working alongside Acumen’s corporate and marketing communications specialists, you will get to know clients’ organisations and sectors and advise them on government engagement, political and policy developments and stakeholder relationships. You will translate change into clear, practical advice, helping clients understand the commercial implications, develop credible positions and engage constructively with decision-makers.

What you'll bring

We are open to candidates from Parliament, a Minister's office, the public sector, an in-house corporate affairs team or a consultancy. What matters is that you understand government and are motivated to use that knowledge in a commercial, client-focused environment.

You will likely bring:

• first-hand experience of the political, government or public policy environment, and a strong understanding of how government decisions are made
• sound political judgement and the ability to turn complex policy, regulatory and political developments into clear, practical advice
• the ability to work constructively and build trusted relationships across the political spectrum
• curiosity about business and not-for-profit organisations, including the commercial and operational realities that shape their decisions
• strong writing and verbal communication skills, with confidence advising clients and senior stakeholders
• a proactive, well-organised approach and the ability to manage several clients, issues and priorities
• energy, initiative and a collaborative working style, together with openness to new ideas and the thoughtful use of AI.

What Acumen offers

• varied, high-impact work with some of New Zealand's best-known and most influential organisations
• exposure to strategic challenges spanning government relations, reputation, stakeholder engagement, media, issues management and public policy
• formal and informal training, mentoring, peer review and support from colleagues with complementary experience
• genuine career development and progression as your consulting, commercial and leadership capability grows
• employee trust participation and the opportunity to share in the benefits of the business
• flexible working, summer hours and a positive, collaborative office environment.

How to apply

Send your CV and a short note explaining why this move appeals to you and what you would bring to Acumen to [email protected]