Executive Assistant to The Principal

Champagne Recruitment; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging benefits throughCath​

Job summary

Blackfriars Priory School in Adelaide is seeking an Executive Assistant to the Principal's Office. You will provide high-level executive support to the Principal, Deputy Principal and Director of Business, and contribute to Board and Committee governance.

This role requires discretion, governance experience and the ability to manage confidential information with professionalism. It offers governance exposure and a values-led educational environment.

Qualifications

• High-level executive support experience in a complex professional environment.
• Discretion and the ability to manage highly confidential information.
• Sound judgement and initiative to work autonomously.
• Strong written communication and document drafting skills.
• Excellent organisational abilities with attention to deadlines.
• Experience supporting Boards or Committees is highly regarded.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365.
• Respect for and support of Catholic/Dominican ethos.

Responsibilities

• Draft confidential correspondence, reports and briefing papers for the Principal.
• Prepare meeting documentation, record outcomes and track follow-ups.
• Maintain Board and Committee records and governance documentation.
• Coordinate official engagements and stakeholder interactions for the Principal.
• Support strategic projects and policy work as directed.
• Provide operational leadership to the Front Office Administration Team.

Skills

Executive support

Discretion

Judgement

Autonomy

Written communication

Organisation

Board governance

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft 365

Catholic ethos

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

A rare role at the heart of school leadership

This isn't your average EA role. Sitting inside the Principal's Office at Blackfriars Priory School, you'll work at the centre of decision-making for one of Adelaide's most respected independent schools, supporting the Principal, Deputy Principal and Director of Business, and playing a genuine part in Board and Committee governance. If you're an experienced executive assistant who wants more responsibility, more trust and more variety than the typical EA brief, this is worth a proper look.

About Blackfriars Priory School

Founded by the Dominican Friars in 1953, Blackfriars is the only school in Australia established by the Dominican Order, a tradition stretching back 800 years to St Dominic himself. Set on leafy grounds in Prospect, just three kilometres from the Adelaide CBD, Blackfriars educates boys from Reception to Year 12 (with a co-educational Early Learning Centre) within a close-knit, values-driven community built on prayer, study, community and service.

It's a school with a strong sense of identity, one where staff describe genuine collegiality, a shared purpose, and pride in the "Aquinian spirit" that blends high achievement with respect, compassion and inclusion. For someone who wants their work to matter beyond a job description, that culture is hard to find elsewhere.

About the role

As Executive Assistant to the Principal's Office, you'll provide high-level executive, confidential and governance support to the Principal, with additional executive support to the Deputy Principal and Director of Business. You'll coordinate the Principal's priorities, manage highly sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and sound judgement, and act as a trusted point of liaison between the Principal's Office, the Board, Executive staff and key stakeholders.

Alongside this, you'll take on genuine governance responsibility, coordinating Board and Committee meetings, agendas and minutes under the direction of the Director of Business (Board Secretary). It's a role that calls for someone who can move comfortably between confidential day-to-day support and formal governance process, always with professionalism and care.

Key responsibilities

Draft confidential correspondence, reports, briefing papers and other high-level documentation on behalf of the Principal.

Prepare meeting documentation, record outcomes and maintain follow-up of actions, decisions and deadlines.

Maintain Board and Committee records, registers, membership information, Terms of Reference and other governance documentation.

Coordinate official engagements, significant meetings and stakeholder interactions involving the Principal.

Support strategic projects, policy work and other organisational priorities as directed.

Provide operational leadership and oversight of the Front Office Administration Team.

What you'll bring

Solid experience providing high-level executive support in a complex professional environment

Exceptional discretion and a proven ability to manage highly confidential information

Sound judgement, initiative and confidence working autonomously across competing priorities

Strong written communication skills, you can draft polished correspondence, minutes and reports

Excellent organisational skills and a close eye for detail and deadlines

Experience supporting Boards, Committees or senior decision-making forums (highly regarded, not essential if you've got strong transferable governance or minute-taking experience)

Confident, professional interpersonal skills across all levels of an organisation

Proficient in Microsoft 365

Genuine respect for and willingness to support the Catholic and Dominican ethos of the school

You don't need to tick every box above. If you've got deep executive support experience and the discretion and maturity this role demands, we'd love to hear from you even if your governance exposure is limited.

What's on offer

A high-trust, high-impact role with genuine variety and autonomy

Direct exposure to school leadership and Board-level governance, excellent for long-term career development

A supportive, values-led community with a strong sense of purpose

Salary packaging benefits available through Catholic education sector

Full Time, Monday - Friday. Some after hours work may be required.

This role is subject to a satisfactory Working With Children Check and other child safety screening requirements in line with the School's policies.