Executive Assistant

Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand; Wellington; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 42,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible part-time role

Supportive national office team

Meaningful work

Job summary

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand is seeking an experienced Executive Assistant to support the Assembly Executive Secretary and enable effective leadership and governance across the Church. This role combines high-trust administrative support with strategic coordination.

Based in Wellington with some remote flexibility, you will anticipate needs, prepare decision-ready briefs, coordinate Council of Assembly activities and ensure meetings are well prepared, papers complete, and

Qualifications

• Experience supporting a senior executive in a complex environment.
• Strong organisation, prioritisation and written communication skills.
• Experience supporting boards, councils or committees.
• Excellent judgement, discretion and attention to detail.
• A proactive, calm and solutions-focused approach.
• Ability to work independently and build trusted relationships.
• Experience in a church, not-for-profit or governance environment would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive, high-trust support to the Assembly Executive Secretary.
• Manage priorities, schedules, communications and follow-up.
• Prepare briefings, correspondence and meeting material.
• Coordinate Council of Assembly and committee activities.
• Support well‑run meetings, travel and events.
• Maintain accurate records and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Build effective relationships across PCANZ and with external stakeholders.
• Improve systems and ways of working.

Skills

Executive support

Organization

Written communication

Board/governance support

Discretion

Independent working

Not-for-profit experience

Church governance advantageous

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Executive Assistant – Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

Location: Wellington preferred. Other major cities considered.

Hours/Days: Permanent part-time, 20–25 hours per week, worked across Monday to Friday.

Morning availability is essential.

The role also requires occasional travel within New Zealand to attend key meetings and other commitments. Travel may involve overnight stays and some flexibility around usual working hours.

A trusted partnership at the heart of national Church leadership

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ) is seeking an experienced Executive Assistant to support the Assembly Executive Secretary and help enable effective leadership and governance across the Church.

This is more than a traditional administrative support role. You will work closely with the Assembly Executive Secretary as a trusted partner, helping translate priorities into coordinated action, anticipating needs, preparing decision-ready information and ensuring important commitments are followed through.

About Us

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ) is a national Church with congregations, presbyteries, governance bodies, and community connections across the country. We have been part of Aotearoa New Zealand for more than 160 years.

The National Service Team, with its main office based in Wellington, supports and resources the Church and its related bodies and organisations in their work locally, regionally, and nationally.

About the Role

Reporting to the Assembly Executive Secretary, you will maintain a clear view of priorities, commitments, dependencies and emerging issues. You will protect the AES’s time and attention, connect people and information, support sound decisions and improve the systems that keep executive and governance activity moving.

You will also coordinate the rhythm of Council of Assembly and committee activity, ensuring meetings are well prepared, papers are complete, decisions are accurately recorded and agreed actions are followed through.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide proactive, high-trust support to the Assembly Executive Secretary.
• Manage priorities, schedules, communications and follow-up.
• Prepare briefings, correspondence and meeting material.
• Coordinate Council of Assembly and committee activities.
• Support well‑run meetings, travel and events.
• Maintain accurate records and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Build effective relationships across PCANZ and with external stakeholders.
• Improve systems and ways of working.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience supporting a senior executive in a complex environment.
• Strong organisation, prioritisation and written communication skills.
• Experience supporting boards, councils or committees.
• Excellent judgement, discretion and attention to detail.
• A proactive, calm and solutions-focused approach.
• Confidence using Microsoft 365 and learning new systems.
• The ability to work independently and build trusted relationships.
• Commitment to the ethos, mission and values of PCANZ.
• Experience in a Church, not-for-profit or governance environment would be advantageous.

What We Offer

• Meaningful work that contributes to communities across Aotearoa New Zealand
• A flexible permanent part-time role
• A supportive national office team and values-driven working environment.

Location and Working Arrangements

The role is ideally based in Wellington. Remote working may be considered for candidates based in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin or Invercargill. In-person attendance at meetings and occasional travel will be required, along with some flexibility around key governance meetings and deadlines.

Applications Close:

For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact Brad Kelderman, People and Culture Manager, at ••••@presbyterian.org.nz