Summary
Work History
Overview
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Receptionist
Cristina Samson

Cristina Samson

Lara,VIC

Summary

Communications and engagement professional with expertise in strategic communications and reputation management. Proven ability to develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies that align with organisational objectives. Skilled in building constructive relationships with stakeholders across all levels.

Work History

Principal Advisor Strategic Communications

WorkSafe New Zealand
02.2022 - 03.2025
  • Led and delivered high-quality communications support and advice for the Minister, Board Chair, Chief Executive and senior leaders. Ensured internal and external communications and engagement activities embed and align with WorkSafe NZ’s refreshed strategy
  • Provided strategic communications advice and support to senior stakeholders, which resulted in strong relationships between WorkSafe, the Minister’s office and other government agency communications partners
  • Delivered integrated communication and engagement activities to uphold public trust and confidence in WorkSafe
  • Oversaw preparations for Parliamentary Select Committee hearings. Developed comprehensive communications materials and facilitated white/black hat sessions to prepare senior leaders for these hearings.

Communications and Awareness Manager

Real Estate Authority
08.2021 - 02.2022
  • Led organisational strategic internal and external communications and awareness activities to enhance understanding of REA’s role, activities and services and effectively reach industry and consumer groups
  • Established and led a high-performing team to deliver timely communications support and advice on REA’s internal and external activities
  • Directed digital marketing efforts to reach specific audiences such as first home buyers, investors, and prospective buyers from different ethnic communities
  • Managed strategic and operational delivery of REA’s guidelines for licensees and information for consumers to safely conduct real estate transactions during the pandemic.

Communications Business Partner

Ministerial Services - Dept of Internal Affairs
01.2020 - 08.2021
  • Provided time-sensitive information for Ministerial office staff during the pandemic, to ensure Ministers and their offices can effectively do their jobs
  • Seconded as Communications Manager for the Elections 2020 Project from June 2020 to January 2021. Established and led a Communications team embedded within Ministerial Services to deliver strategic and operational communications support to ensure a smooth transition of the Executive following the elections
  • Oversaw the development of high-quality print (manuals, booklets, guides) and online resources for new Ministers and Ministerial office staff, outlining their roles, responsibilities and entitlements.

Principal Advisor – External Communications

Department of Internal Affairs
09.2018 - 08.2021
  • Led and delivered high-quality communications and engagement support for the Department’s most complex organisational projects, issues, and strategies, including significant initiative announcements, high-profile media issues and Departmental responses to Government announcements
  • Provided enterprise-wide communications advice and support to the Minister’s office, Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team, and senior leaders to lead, connect, inspire, identify, and coordinate the Department’s complex communications issues, opportunities and projects
  • Acted as 2IC for the General Manager Communications and Communications Manager colleagues as needed
  • Led the Minister and Department’s preparations for Select Committee hearings, including developing collateral and speaking points and facilitating white/black hat sessions to effectively support leaders.

Portfolio Private Secretary

Ministerial Services - Dept of Internal Affairs
11.2017 - 08.2018
  • Facilitated and maintained a smooth, constructive relationship between the Department’s Office of Ethnic Communities and the Minister, as well as with other Ministerial offices through excellent relationship management
  • Delivered, on behalf of the Minister, four successful ethnic community celebrations at the Beehive, as well as the Safer Ethnic Communities Ministerial Forum participated in by key community and stakeholder group representatives.

Senior Communications Advisor

Department of Internal Affairs
01.2017 - 11.2017
  • Developed and implemented communications and engagement plans for major digital government initiatives led by DIA, such as the GovTech Graduate programme and the D5 Digital Exchange programme
  • Produced Departmental and Ministerial media releases, Ministerial speeches and briefings, and presentation materials for the Deputy Chief Executive.

Senior Advisor – Communications

Ministry of Health
08.2015 - 12.2016
  • Provided expert advice and communications support to the National Health IT Board, director, senior leaders and project managers, formulating key messages and ensuring consistency across all channels
  • Authored content for various channels and audiences, including newsletters, websites, intranet, operational updates, Ministerial briefings and aide memoire on key topics, and responses to Official Information Act requests
  • Identified and leveraged opportunities to promote key messages to internal and external customers, managed media queries and prepared proactive media statements on health IT achievements and operational activities.

Senior Communications and Marketing Advisor

Inland Revenue
05.2010 - 07.2015
  • Led multi-awarded communications and marketing activities for the student loans portfolio to promote legislative changes, which resulted in a 30% increase in collections from domestic and overseas-based borrowers. This included a phased, multi-year communications (advertising, marketing, public relations and media) campaign to engage and encourage repayments from borrowers living overseas
  • Ensured communications, messages and activities aligned with Inland Revenue’s strategic direction and consistent with organisational priorities. Worked with internal and external stakeholders, cross-agency counterparts and advertising agencies to deliver key communications and marketing outcomes.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Communication Arts

Miriam College
Quezon City, Philippines

Skills

  • Develops and implements comprehensive internal and external communications and engagement plans with clear goals, risk assessment, mitigation strategies and measurable results
  • Provides expert and timely analysis and advice on a range of communications and stakeholder activities for diverse audiences
  • Provides expert communications advice to executive leaders, Board chairs, and Ministerial offices, influencing the organisation’s approach or response to achieve desired outcomes
  • Builds professional and constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, industry bodies and suppliers
  • Collaborates across the organisation to map key internal and external stakeholders and design effective engagement activities to achieve organisational goals
  • Partners with business groups to harness proactive/reactive media opportunities to protect and enhance the organisation’s reputation
  • Identifies risks and potential issues and leads the development and delivery of appropriate communications, media and business responses

Affiliations

Member, Public Relations Institute of New Zealand

Timeline

Principal Advisor Strategic Communications

WorkSafe New Zealand
02.2022 - 03.2025

Communications and Awareness Manager

Real Estate Authority
08.2021 - 02.2022

Communications Business Partner

Ministerial Services - Dept of Internal Affairs
01.2020 - 08.2021

Principal Advisor – External Communications

Department of Internal Affairs
09.2018 - 08.2021

Portfolio Private Secretary

Ministerial Services - Dept of Internal Affairs
11.2017 - 08.2018

Senior Communications Advisor

Department of Internal Affairs
01.2017 - 11.2017

Senior Advisor – Communications

Ministry of Health
08.2015 - 12.2016

Senior Communications and Marketing Advisor

Inland Revenue
05.2010 - 07.2015

Bachelor of Arts - Communication Arts

Miriam College

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Cristina Samson