Strategic Relations Manager - NZ

About the role

Are you ready to build relationships and advocacy 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 farming. You’ve successfully delivered value in the industry before at a strategic level. However, you have unfinished business. Maybe you’ve been waiting for a company that matches your ambition, or a product that’s transforming an industry. Well, timing is everything - this is that special role you’ve been searching for.

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 government and in the industry to build advocacy 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 Growth, this is a rare opportunity to deliver meaningful impact for the benefit of an industry.

Location:

Auckland (preference), although open to Waikato. Frequent travel required to Wellington and to visit Halter customer farms throughout NZ.

Key Responsibilities:

• Stakeholder engagement & relationship management - Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders in government and industry, including senior politicians, government agencies, industry bodies and the leading companies in dairy & beef farming in New Zealand. Build understanding and advocacy of Halter’s technology with these stakeholders. Build relationships with leading veterinarians on our veterinary advisory board and in the industry. Build rapport with many Halter customers and host stakeholders at customer farms to showcase their success.
• Strategy & delivery - Develop and deliver on our engagement strategy by working closely with the team and in partnership with our premier government relations advisory team. 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.
• Advocacy & spokesperson - Attend and present at industry events in dairy and beef sectors, 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. You’ll deeply understand and communicate how the Halter system works and the benefits for the industry.
• 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 strategic value in the dairy or beef industry. You are a natural hosting people on farm and discussing farming. You have examples of delivering tangible value through building understanding and advocacy. 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 conveying complex technical topics with clarity and confidence. You’re an exceptional listener. You have high quality written and verbal communication skills. You’re an ambassador by building rapport and trust with people naturally. You have examples of influencing senior stakeholders at a level similar to senior politicians or Executives.
• Proactive & Self-Directed - You have a proven track record of working in a highly self-directed, proactive, resourceful way to deliver 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)

• Experience working in a strategic capacity in government
• Experience in a business development capacity in dairy or beef
• 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.

Our Office First Approach

We do have flexible working hours and you can work from home when you need to but we encourage our team to be in the office as much as you can.

We have an office-first approach because we would like to keep the opportunity for teams to have spontaneous interactions which in turn has allowed our team at Halter to foster strong relationships. Stronger relationships make it easier to disagree, give feedback, do meaningful work and as a result, be higher performing as a team.

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.