Jo Brady

Communications, Marketing, Strategy, People, Capability & Culture Champion

New Zealand

About

Collaborative and purpose‑driven executive leader with deep experience guiding large, complex organisations through strategy, governance, and transformation. Skilled across multi‑channel digital marketing and communications, internal and external relations, shareholder, stakeholder and iwi engagement, business development, performance excellence, workforce development, people and culture, sustainability, and health, safety and wellbeing. A people‑centred, politically, culturally and commercially astute leader committed to continuous development. I bring strong strategic thinking and a calm, credible presence to complex environments. As a communications leader, I create clarity, trust and alignment across organisations—whether navigating major crises and significant change or delivering steady, transparent communication through business‑as‑usual operations.

Experience

  • Head of Marketing at Barenbrug NZ
    Jan 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 6 mos

    Senior Leadership Team Champion of brand, positioning and storytelling

  • Communications & Engagement at Port Nelson Limited
    Nov 2021 - Feb 2023 · 1 yr 4 mos

    Leadership Team Champion of organizational Communications, stakeholder and iwi engagement Strategic and operational leadership of innovative multi channel, digital marketing and communications, accountable for reputation, risk, media management, key messaging and communications advise for governance and executive, leader of internal communications.

  • Executive Director Marketing & Communications at AgResearch
    May 2019 - Oct 2021 · 2 yrs 6 mos

    Executive Leadership Team member Champion of organizational strategy, culture, financial performance, shareholder, stakeholder and iwi engagement Strategic and operational leadership of innovative multi channel, digital marketing and communications, accountable for reputation, risk, media management, key messaging and communications advise for governance and executive, people leadership and development.

  • Deputy CEO - People, Performance & Development at Otago Polytechnic
    Jan 2017 - May 2019 · 2 yrs 5 mos

    Executive leadership team member. Accountable for strategy, people, culture, financial performance, innovation, collaborations, shareholder, stakeholder and iwi engagement, Strategic and operational leadership of people & culture, marketing & communications, business development, industry and executive education solutions and programmes, sustainability, health & safety, business improvement, academic registry and the learner journey. Accountable for key messaging, communications, reputation, risk and media management, workforce development, change management. Some highlights included: The polytechnic being awarded the global business excellence award (Baldrige) The development and launch of New Zealand's first micro credentials - EduBits

  • Director Alumni and Development at Lincoln University New Zealand
    Sep 2014 - Dec 2016 · 2 yrs 4 mos

    Strategic planning and leadership, Strategic industry and corporate partnerships, Business Development, Industry sponsorship, Project Management, Fundraising and Philanthropy, Foundation leadership, funding and investment, Alumni, Community and External Relations, Event Management, Engagement and communications