Executive Officer for the Chief Governance Officer

The University of Sydney; Sydney; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 98,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Sydney is seeking an Executive Officer for the Chief Governance Officer on a 0.6 FTE basis. This role provides high‑level executive support, strategic coordination and operational leadership within the University Governance Office, handling diary and email management, governance operations, Senate activities and strategic projects.

You will work closely with senior leaders and stakeholders to drive decision‑making, partner with Finance on workforce planning and ensure alignment

Qualifications

• Significant experience in an Executive Officer, Senior Executive Assistant or similar role.
• Ability to lead projects and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of governance, committee, board or executive office operations, with experience handling sensitive matters.
• Highly developed stakeholder management and relationship-building skills across all levels of the organisation.
• Exceptional written communication skills for executive correspondence, reports and governance documentation.
• Strong commercial and operational acumen, with experience in planning, forecasting and resource management.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive executive support to the Chief Governance Officer, including complex diary, email and workflow management.
• Lead and coordinate operational and strategic projects across the University Governance Office.
• Support Senate operations and governance projects, including succession planning, due diligence activities and interview coordination.
• Partner with Finance and internal stakeholders to support workforce planning, forecasting and resource management activities.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with senior executives, Fellows of Senate and key internal and external stakeholders.
• Deputise for the Executive Officer to the Chancellor and provide broader support across governance functions as required.

Skills

Executive support

Stakeholder management

Governance operations

Project leadership

Written communication

Job description

Executive Officer for the Chief Governance Officer

• Part-time (0.6 FTE, 21 hours per week), continuing opportunity
• Influence strategic decision-making across governance, Senate and executive operations

About theopportunity

The Executive Officer for the Chief Governance Officer is a pivotal role providing high-level executive support, strategic coordination and operational leadership within the University Governance Office. Supporting the Chief Governance Officer, you will manage a diverse portfolio spanning complex diary and email management, governance operations, Senate activities and strategic projects that contribute to the University's priorities.

This is far more than a traditional executive support position. Working closely with senior leaders, Fellows of Senate and key stakeholders across the University, you will lead operational initiatives, coordinate governance activities and oversee a range of projects that support effective decision-making and organisational outcomes. You will also partner with Finance to support workforce planning and forecasting activities, ensuring operational priorities are aligned with strategic objectives.

The role offers exposure to some of the University's most significant governance activities, including Senate projects, succession planning processes and executive engagement initiatives. With responsibility for navigating complex priorities and sensitive matters, you will play a key role in ensuring the Governance Office operates efficiently, professionally and strategically, while deputising for the Executive Officer to the Chancellor as required.

Key responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive executive support to the Chief Governance Officer, including complex diary, email and workflow management.
• Lead and coordinate operational and strategic projects across the University Governance Office.
• Support Senate operations and bespoke governance projects, including succession planning, due diligence activities and interview coordination.
• Partner with Finance and internal stakeholders to support workforce planning, forecasting and resource management activities.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with senior executives, Fellows of Senate and key internal and external stakeholders.
• Deputise for the Executive Officer to the Chancellor and provide broader support across governance functions as required.

About you

• Significant experience in an Executive Officer, Senior Executive Assistant or similar role supporting senior leaders within a complex organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of governance, committee, board or executive office operations, with experience managing sensitive and confidential matters.
• Highly developed stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and work effectively across all levels of an organisation.
• Exceptional written communication skills, including experience preparing executive correspondence, reports, briefings and governance documentation.
• Strong commercial and operational acumen, with experience supporting planning, forecasting, resource management or business operations activities.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks and declarations

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

This position is designated as involving child-related work. To undertake or remain in this position, you are required to apply for and obtain a Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.