Executive Assistant

Central Districts Water; Manawatū-Whanganui; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Districts Water is seeking an experienced executive support professional to work closely with the Chief Executive and Board, ensuring governance processes are professional, accurate and timely. You will manage the Chief Executive’s diary, prepare papers, and act as a trusted contact for senior leaders and external stakeholders.

You will coordinate board materials, maintain calendars and support confidential governance projects during CDSW’s formative stage as it delivers essential water

Qualifications

• Significant experience supporting a Chief Executive, senior executive, Board Chair or equivalent leader.
• Experience supporting Boards, committees or governance processes, including minutes and papers.
• Excellent planning, diary management, written communication and stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines with discretion and proactive action.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Chief Executive’s diary, meetings, travel, correspondence and priorities.
• Coordinate Board and committee calendars, papers, minutes and action tracking.
• Prepare and quality-check reports, presentations, briefing papers and executive documents.
• Act as a trusted point of contact for the Chief Executive’s office and build relationships with the Board, senior leaders, employees and external stakeholders.
• Maintain forward work programmes, governance records and secure document-management systems.
• Anticipate requirements, identify risks or scheduling conflicts, and proactively propose solutions.
• Support executive meetings, stakeholder engagements, governance activities and confidential projects.

Skills

Diary management

Board liaison

Stakeholder management

Discretion

Education

Business administration qualification

Tools

Board portals

Document management

Video conferencing

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Join a newly created organisation and help shape its executive office and governance support from the outset.

Work closely with the Chief Executive, Board and senior leaders in a highly trusted and influential role.

Contribute to an organisation that will deliver essential water services to communities across three council areas.

About us

Central Districts Water is a jointly owned water services organisation established by Horowhenua District Council, Palmerston North City Council and Rangitīkei District Council. The organisation will become operational on 1 July 2027 and will deliver safe, reliable and high-quality drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services to the communities it serves. Its current focus is leading a careful and well-managed transition of services, people, assets and systems.

This is an opportunity to join at a formative stage and provide trusted, high-level support to the Chief Executive and Board. You will help ensure the executive office operates efficiently, priorities are well coordinated, and governance processes are professional, accurate and timely.

About the role

Working closely with the Chief Executive and Board, you will provide proactive, high-quality executive and governance support that keeps priorities coordinated, information flowing and key commitments on track.

What you’ll do:

• Manage the Chief Executive’s diary, meetings, travel, correspondence and competing priorities.
• Coordinate Board and committee calendars, agendas, papers, minutes, resolutions and action tracking.
• Prepare and quality-check reports, presentations, briefing papers, correspondence and other executive documents.
• Act as a trusted point of contact for the Chief Executive’s office and build effective relationships with the Board, senior leaders, employees and external stakeholders.
• Maintain forward work programmes, key organisational calendars, governance records and secure document-management systems.
• Anticipate requirements, identify risks or scheduling conflicts, and proactively recommend practical solutions.
• Support executive meetings, stakeholder engagements, governance activities and confidential organisational projects.

About you

You will be an experienced executive support professional who combines excellent organisation and attention to detail with sound judgement, discretion and a calm, proactive approach. You will be comfortable working closely with senior leaders and Board members, managing sensitive information, and keeping complex priorities moving.

What you will bring:

• Significant experience supporting a Chief Executive, senior executive, Board Chair or equivalent leader.
• Experience supporting Boards, committees or formal governance processes, including preparing high-quality minutes and Board papers.
• Excellent planning, diary management, written communication and stakeholder relationship skills.
• The ability to manage multiple deadlines, anticipate needs and take appropriate action without close supervision.
• A high level of digital capability, including confidence with Board portals, document-management systems, video-conferencing and collaboration tools.
• Integrity, political awareness, diplomacy and absolute discretion.
• A relevant qualification or training in business administration, governance, executive support, minute-taking or records management would be advantageous.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and welcome applications from all those suitably qualified for this position.