Strategic Relations Manager - NZ

Are you ready to build relationships and advocate with senior stakeholders in industry about the most transformative farming technology in New Zealand? This is not your usual role. We’re looking for an exceptional strategic relationship manager who is passionate about dairy farming. You’ve successfully delivered value in the industry before at a strategic level. However, you have unfinished business. Maybe you’ve been looking for a product that’s transforming an industry or a company that matches your ambition. Well, timing is everything - this is that special role you’ve been searching for.

About the role

Halter is one of the world’s fastest growing agritech companies, and the most transformative technology available to dairy and beef farmers. With Halter’s cattle collars and app, farmers can virtually fence and safely guide their cattle through their mobile phone, as well as monitor cattle health, fertility and location. Our customers run more productive and sustainable farms, while caring for their animals. You will work closely with key stakeholders in industry and the government to advocate for Halter and our customers. You will partner very closely with our premier government relations advisory team on our engagement strategy and delivery. Halter is changing lives for thousands of farmers. Reporting to the VP of Strategic Relations, this is a rare opportunity to deliver meaningful impact for the benefit of an industry.

Location:

Working remotely from one of NZ’s biggest dairy hubs - preference for the Waikato (or greater Auckland) - alternatively could be in Christchurch. A bonus if you have close access to a dairy farm with Halter or would consider getting Halter on a farm that you have a connection to, in order to be close to the product. Frequent travel is required around NZ (to the Halter office in Auckland, to Wellington and to other Halter farms), so reasonable proximity to an airport is necessary.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advocacy - You’ll deeply understand and communicate how the Halter system works and the benefits for farmers and the industry. You’ll form strong relationships with many Halter customers to understand their operations, how they use Halter, and the value they get with Halter. You’ll host stakeholders at customer farms and showcase their success and the broader benefits to the industry. You’ll use the Halter product and stay very close to how it evolves and the value to customers.
• Stakeholder engagement & relationship management - Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders in the industry and government, including industry bodies, the leading companies in the dairy and beef industries, senior politicians, and government agencies. Build understanding of Halter’s technology with these stakeholders. Leverage opportunities and priorities in the government for agriculture and the environment that are relevant to Halter. Build relationships with leading veterinarians on our veterinary advisory board and in the industry.
• Strategy & delivering value - Deliver on our engagement strategy by working closely with your manager and in partnership with our premier government relations advisory team. You will deliver tangible value by leveraging the relationships you’ve built externally. Monitor emerging industry trends and agricultural policies relevant to Halter. Assess and engage in opportunities to educate about Halter that support our mission and our customers.
• Spokesperson - Attend and present at events in the dairy and beef industries, strengthening cross-industry support. Attend government events and meetings in Wellington. Collaborate with the media to increase Halter’s market presence, with the support of our communications team members.
• Identify commercial opportunities - Identify potential commercial opportunities for Halter that may arise, such as partner farms or commercial/product partnerships. Partner with our sales, marketing and product teams to scope and unlock these opportunities.
• Other duties that may arise, for example, with independent research partnerships.

Core role requirements - these requirements are fundamental for this role. We expect applicants to demonstrate evidence of these requirements in their CV, cover letter and in interviews.

• Significant experience delivering value in the NZ dairy industry. You’re passionate about dairy farming and you’re a natural hosting people on a dairy farm. You’re charismatic and affable. You have examples of delivering tangible value through building rapport and understanding with senior stakeholders at a level similar to senior politicians or Executives. You are strategic and also clinical at delivering value by taking a hands-on approach. You are methodical and organized at how you build and strengthen external relationships.
• Influencer & Communicator - You’re an influential communicator and presenter. You have examples of presenting effectively to large audiences. You have examples of conveying complex technical topics with clarity. You’re an exceptional listener. You have high-quality communication skills. You build rapport and trust with people naturally.
• Proactive & Self-Directed - You have a proven track record of working in a highly self-directed, proactive, resourceful way to deliver tangible value. You have high emotional intelligence and self-awareness. You approach challenges with a “can-do” attitude. You are driven to deliver value. Your ambition and growth mindset is matched by your genuine humility.

Bonus experience (not essential for you to apply)

• You have close access to a dairy farm with Halter or would consider getting Halter on a farm that you have a connection to.
• Experience in either a senior business development (sales) role or a farm management role in the dairy industry.
• Experience working with a scale-up or disruptive and innovative technology company.

Why our team loves working at Halter

• Every now and again a company comes along that disrupts and transforms an entire industry, leaving society in a better place. Few people get the opportunity to work at companies like these. Halter is an incredible technology transforming an essential industry. We have a genuine and shared connection to our mission to make a difference in the world.
• Our product changes the lives of our customers, directly improving their livelihoods and their lifestyle. Your work matters.
• Dedicate yourself to solving real-world problems alongside an epic team in a high-growth culture. The excitement, risk and reward of a high-growth technology scale-up on the global stage. Our ideas are truly valued, we are able to move fast, and our impact is real.
• State-of-the-art, dog-friendly office that’s been thoughtfully designed right in the heart of Auckland city. Did we mention dogs and cows?
• Healthy body, healthy mind. We’re partnered with Southern Cross Health Insurance to support your well-being.
• We offer 6 months of fully paid parental leave for primary caregivers, 4 weeks of fully paid secondary caregiver leave and many other parental benefits that support you and your family.
• Our personal growth is important. Halter offers an annual $1000 self-development budget to be used for anything that fuels personal growth.
• Our time to recharge is valued, we’re offered wellness leave and unlimited paid annual leave.
• We offer an inclusive and attractive remuneration package made up of salary, benefits and an employee stock ownership plan.

About Halter

At Halter, we’re on a mission to enable farmers and graziers to run the most productive and sustainable operations. Our customers are using Halter to break free from the time-intensive constraints of conventional practices. Imagine watching 500 cattle stand up and walk calmly towards their next break? No quad bikes, no dogs, no fences. Just a group of cattle walking at their own pace. People say it looks like magic. Our customers are revolutionizing grazing with Halter. It's changing lives and transforming an industry. People join Halter to do meaningful work. By joining us you’ll be solving challenging problems within a talented team and a culture built for high performance. Our team out-think, out-work and out-care. We’re committed to delivering real change in the world - this isn’t easy, and in truth, we love that it’s hard. We’re backed to deliver on a mission that matters by Tier 1 investors including Bessemer Venture Partners, DCVC, Blackbird, Promus Ventures, Rocket Lab’s Peter Beck and Icehouse ventures.

To find out more, visit our careers website, LinkedIn & Instagram.

Join our team

Halter is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace — a place where we can each be ourselves and do the best work of our lives. Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and under-represented groups of candidates tend to only apply when they meet every requirement. If you think you have what it takes but don’t necessarily tick every requirement on this job description, please still get in touch and apply to Halter. We’d love to chat to see if you’ll be an epic fit!

If this opportunity sounds like you, please apply below by sending through your cover letter explaining why you’re excited about this role and working at Halter, along with your CV, and we’ll be in touch!

Please also feel free to check out the careers page for more information on working at Halter and don't forget to follow us on LinkedIn & Instagram.