Senior Brand Activation Specialist

Auckland | Permanent | Full-time

Hybrid working environment

Marketing & Recruitment, Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland

$87,000 - $118,000 per annum (Band G) depending on experience

 

• Lead major brand activations, sponsorships and audience experiences for Aotearoa New Zealand's leading university
• Shape how one of Aotearoa's most recognised brands evolves and engages with students, communities and partners
• Enjoy hybrid work, a 37.5-hour week, and inclusive benefits designed to support wellbeing and caring commitments

With more than 47,000 students and over 6,000 staff, Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland is Aotearoa New Zealand's leading university and a globally connected organisation dedicated to creating knowledge, transforming lives and shaping the future. As part of a newly established Marketing & Recruitment operating model, our Brand team is responsible for strengthening the University's reputation, growing brand awareness and creating meaningful engagement with audiences across Aotearoa and beyond.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

This is a highly visible role responsible for bringing the University brand to life through impactful activations, sponsorships and audience experiences.

Working closely with the Brand Manager and a wider network of specialists across brand, digital, content, recruitment, communications and media production, you'll design and deliver activation programmes that strengthen brand awareness, increase audience engagement and support the University's strategic objectives.

This role goes beyond event delivery – far beyond.

We're looking for someone who can identify opportunities, develop creative activation concepts and turn ideas into experiences that resonate with audiences. From flagship student recruitment events and sponsorship activations to promotional campaigns and brand experiences, you'll play a key role in shaping how audiences connect with the University.

In this newly established team and function, you'll work alongside an experienced Brand Manager, dedicated Māori and Pacific Brand Specialists, Brand Advisers and a network of creative, digital and content experts. Together, you'll help shape how one of Aotearoa’s most recognised brands engages with its audiences on a scale and breadth that few organisations can offer.

This role offers a rare opportunity to combine strategic thinking, creativity and hands-on delivery while contributing to a brand with national and global reach.

Key areas of focus include:

• Designing and delivering brand activations, sponsorship activations and promotional experiences
• Creating audience-centred activation concepts that build brand awareness and engagement
• Leading activation programmes from planning and promotion through to delivery, evaluation and reporting
• Managing sponsorship activity to maximise audience engagement and brand value
• Working with agencies, suppliers and partners to deliver high-quality experiences and outcomes
• Coordinating content capture, creative assets, merchandise and promotional materials
• Using audience insights and performance data to improve activation effectiveness
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders across the University and external partners.

This is a full-time, permanent opportunity. The full salary range for this role is $87,000 - $118,000 per annum – Band G.

We have a structured salary framework with three zones for those developing into the role (developing), fully effective (target) and contributing beyond what is expected of the role (upper). Appointments are typically made within the target range of $93,201 – $107,500 per annum, depending on skills, experience, and internal equity. We welcome conversations about your expectations and what matters to you in your overall package. Any offer will be made within the advertised range and guided by fairness, consistency, and our commitment to pay equity.

For more detailed information about the role and requirements, please refer to the Position Description.

He kōrero mōu | About you

We're looking for an experienced marketer who can combine strategic thinking, creativity and delivery excellence to create experiences that connect audiences with our brand.

You may come from a brand activation, experiential marketing, sponsorship, events, audience engagement or broader marketing background. What matters most is your ability to turn ideas into action and create experiences that deliver measurable outcomes.

We're particularly interested in people who bring:

• Experience delivering brand activations, experiential marketing, sponsorship programmes or large-scale promotional activity
• The ability to develop activation concepts that align audience needs with organisational objectives
• Experience managing multiple projects and campaigns from concept through to evaluation
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management capability
• Experience working with agencies, suppliers and external partners
• Campaign management, paid and owned activity
• A strong understanding of brand, audience engagement and experiential marketing principles
• Experience managing budgets and measuring performance
• Excellent project management, communication and influencing skills
• Curiosity, creativity and a proactive approach to identifying new opportunities.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

This is a rare opportunity to help shape a new function while working with one of Aotearoa’s most recognised brands. This new function gives you access to internal expertise and resources commensurate with our scale and ambition, including an in-house design studio, media production teams, audience specialists, web and digital teams, AI and automation expertise, and dedicated Māori and Pacific specialists across brand, media, comms and engagement. Together, these teams help bring ideas to life through integrated campaigns, content and experiences.

Few organisations have the breadth of audiences, partnerships, events and engagement opportunities that exist at the University. From flagship recruitment events and sponsorship activations to community engagement initiatives and reputation-building campaigns, you'll have the opportunity to deliver work that reaches audiences across Aotearoa and beyond.

Beyond the work itself, you'll be joining a vibrant and inclusive community. From staff networks and cultural communities to social clubs, volunteering opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and campus events, there are countless ways to connect, contribute and build meaningful relationships across the University.

We also offer:

• A commitment to work/life balance with a 37.5 hour working week, flexible hours and hybrid/remote working patterns
• A competitive remuneration package with up to 6.75% super, annual salary increase with performance-based multiplier
• Time to recharge and disconnect with 5 weeks' annual leave and additional leave buy/sell scheme,
• Support for parents and carers with subsidised on-site childcare (including Kōhanga Reo), gender-neutral parental leave up to 9 weeks’ full pay, on-site parenting and feeding spaces
• A commitment to the wellbeing of our people with confidential access to a range of EAP services, including mental health counselling, financial guidance, neurodiversity coaching and rongoā services, a world-class on-site fitness centre, access to student specialists across our supervised training clinics, discounted health insurance.
• The opportunity to grow with access to an extensive programme of professional, leadership and cultural development, including digital capability coaching, specialised leadership development programmes, and Te Ao and Te Reo Māori learning programmes for staff
• The opportunity to build your career with one of Aotearoa’s most diverse and complex organisations

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Please submit an application online by the closing date of Sunday 6th September 2026. Please include your cover letter and your CV highlighting your interest in the role, your capabilities and relevant experience.

Please reach out to Faith Pallant, Recruitment Manager on [email protected] with any questions.

Reasonable accommodations - We are committed to building a more equitable and inclusive workforce and workplace, so we encourage applicants to reach out to discuss any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process, including alternative ways to submit applications.

Whānau and support people - Should you be invited to an interview for this role, your whānau members and/or support people will be welcome to join you. The recruiter or hiring manager will provide more information about this as part of the interview arrangements.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz