Executive Director

The New Zealand Writers Guild | Puni Taatuhi o Aotearoa (NZWG) is the union and professional body representing screenwriters working across film, television, and digital media in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Our Executive Director is leaving after 11 years, so we are seeking an exceptional leader to take the helm of NZWG at a pivotal moment in our history. This is a full-time role based in Auckland.

NZWG is a registered union and the collective voice of screenwriters in Aotearoa New Zealand. We advocate for fair pay, strong contracts, and an industry in which writers are valued, protected, and heard. Our work spans collective bargaining, member services, copyright and AI policy, professional development, governance, and sector leadership.

The Guild is a small organisation which does big things. This year is our 50th anniversary, and we hope soon to commence collective bargaining under the Screen Industry Workers Act (SIWA). We remain committed to building a sustainable, well-resourced organisation for the next generation of Aotearoa New Zealand screenwriters.

Reporting to the NZWG Board, the Executive Director provides strategic leadership, advocacy, and operational management of the Guild. This is a high-trust, high-impact leadership role working in industrial relations, membership services, screen industry policy, and organisational governance.

The Executive Director leads NZWG's staff and operations, represents the Guild with government, industry, and international partners, and stewards collective bargaining under SIWA, the most significant development in NZWG's history.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE

· Providing strategic leadership and operational management of the Guild

· Leading collective bargaining under SIWA in partnership with the Board and members

· Overseeing membership services, communications, and organisational systems

· Advocating for screenwriters with government, industry, funders, and media

· Building and maintaining relationships with screen industry partners, including producers, broadcasters, and international writer organisations

· Supporting strong governance through regular board reporting, policy advice, and compliance

· Managing staff and contractors to deliver a high-performing, values-aligned team

· Leading NZWG's advocacy on copyright, AI, and screen policy matters

· Representing Aotearoa New Zealand at international writers' organisation forums, including IAWG

ABOUT YOU

You are an experienced senior leader with a genuine commitment to the creative workforce and a sound understanding of the screen industry. You bring strategic vision alongside practical operational capability, and you know how to build coalitions, negotiate effectively, and deal with curve balls.

YOU WILL HAVE

· Demonstrated senior leadership experience in a comparable organisation — a union, membership body, arts organisation, industry body, or similar

· Knowledge of and/or experience in the New Zealand screen industry or a related creative sector

· Experience in collective bargaining, industrial relations, or advocacy work

· Strong governance literacy and experience working with and reporting to a Board

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and media engagement

· Demonstrated capacity to manage competing priorities, limited resources, and high-stakes relationships

Experience with copyright, AI policy, or screen funding frameworks is an advantage. A background as a screenwriter or in the creative industries is welcome, but not required.

BENEFITS & REMUNERATION

Remuneration: $95,000 - 110,000
Engagement: Permanent, Full-time
Hours: 1.0 FTE (approx. 40 hours per week)
Location: Auckland, with hybrid working by agreement

Please email mirabelle@nzwg.org.nz for the full job description, or with any questions.

NZWG is committed to an inclusive, Te Tiriti-informed culture and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Candidates must have the right to work in New Zealand.