Executive Assistants

FIRST PEOPLE Recruitment Solutions; Canberra; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

FIRST PEOPLE Recruitment Solutions in Canberra is seeking experienced Executive Assistants to join a high-performing SES Support team. You will manage multiple senior executives’ diaries, prepare briefs and papers, and coordinate with staff and stakeholders while maintaining discretion and integrity.

The role offers Canberra-based office work with opportunities to support the General Managers and a Head of Division, requiring security clearance and a professional, service-focused mindset.

Qualifications

• Proven experience providing executive support to senior leaders.
• Strong diary management and calendar coordination skills.
• Excellent written communication for briefs and correspondence.
• Ability to build relationships with staff and stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated discretion handling confidential information.
• Proactive, service-minded approach with professional conduct.
• Baseline security clearance is essential and must be maintainable.
• Experience with Parliamentary processes such as Senate Estimates is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage and organise the diaries of several senior executives (SES Band 1 GMs and SES Band 2 Head of Division for APS5 roles).
• Help executives manage and prioritise workload, deadlines and follow-ups.
• Prepare correspondence, papers, talking points, briefs and committee materials.
• Act as the contact point for staff and stakeholders, handling inquiries discreetly.
• Collaborate with the Divisional Executive Office to deliver divisional priorities.
• Support building a collaborative, high-performing SES Support team.

Skills

Executive support experience

Diary management

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Discretion & integrity

Proactive service-focused

Baseline security clearance

Parliamentary processes (Senate Est.)

Job description

First People Recruitment Solutions – Canberra ACT

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) helps the Australian Government build a better future for all Australians by supporting a productive, resilient and sustainable economy that draws on science and technology. Its work covers industry policy and investment, science and research, the resources sector, manufacturing, digital and emerging technologies, and support for businesses of all sizes. Its national portfolio also includes agencies such as Questacon, Geoscience Australia and IP Australia.

About the Roles

The successful candidates will join a high-performing SES Support team based at Industry House in Canberra. The team gives trusted executive support to General Managers (SES Band 1) and a Head of Division (SES Band 2). The SES cohort is known for being approachable, supportive and engaging, and Executive Assistants are valued as trusted partners and important members of the team.

Key Duties

• Manage and organise the diaries of several senior executives (SES Band 1 General Managers and, for APS5 roles, an SES Band 2 Head of Division), juggling competing priorities and keeping their schedules running smoothly.
• Help executives manage and prioritise their workload, keeping track of deadlines, actions and follow-ups.
• Help prepare correspondence, papers, talking points, briefs and coordination requests, including material for committee meetings and Senate Estimates hearings.
• Act as the contact point for staff and stakeholders, managing enquiries and requests professionally and discreetly.
• Work with the Divisional Executive Office to deliver divisional priorities.
• Help build a collaborative, high-performing SES Support team.

Key Skills and Capabilities

• Proven experience in executive support, ideally supporting more than one senior executive at once (SES or equivalent).
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, including managing complex diaries and changing priorities at pace.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to prepare and quality-check correspondence, briefs, talking points and meeting papers.
• Confident, warm interpersonal skills, with the ability to build good relationships with executives, staff and stakeholders at all levels.
• A proactive, professional and service-focused approach, with the judgement to anticipate needs and resolve issues before they elevate.
• High levels of discretion and integrity when handling sensitive and confidential information.
• A genuine interest in the Executive Assistant profession and a commitment to building a long-term career in executive support.
• Experience with Parliamentary processes such as Senate Estimates is highly regarded (desirable).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance (essential).

Please submit applications in Word format only by 10am, Wednesday 21st October 2026.

FIRST PEOPLE Recruitment Solutions is a majority Aboriginal owned agency providing contingent contracts, fixed term contracts and permanent recruitment solutions to Government and Corporate Australia.

Our Head Office is based in Canberra with a national reach to all the states and territories, regional and remote areas of Australia.

FIRST PEOPLE Recruitment Solutions acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures; and to elders past, present and emerging.