Executive Assistant - Chief Executive | Pou Āwhina

Tau Mai; Auckland; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa is seeking an Executive Assistant to support the Chief Executive and Arts Council, helping drive governance, decision-making, and organisational performance across CNZ.

You will manage the CEO's calendar, coordinate governance meetings, prepare papers and minutes, and deliver briefings to support informed decisions while fostering strong relationships with CNZ and the wider arts community.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting a CEO or senior leadership team.
• Governance administration and committee support background.
• Exceptional organisation skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Discretion handling confidential information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and digital systems.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder relations.
• Knowledge of te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Chief Executive's schedule, priorities, and key stakeholder engagements.
• Coordinate Council, Committee, and Senior Leadership Team meetings.
• Prepare agendas, papers, minutes, and governance records.
• Deliver briefings and reporting to inform decisions.
• Support flow of information across executive and governance functions.
• Build trusted relationships across CNZ and the wider arts sector.

Skills

Executive support

Governance admin

Organisation skills

Discretion/confidentiality

Microsoft 365

Communication

Māori knowledge/Te Tiriti

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

• Enable effective leadership and decision-making at the executive level
• Coordinate high-quality governance and Council processes
• Strengthen organisational alignment and stakeholder relationships

Executive Assistant – Chief Executive | Pou Āwhina

• Enable effective leadership and decision-making at the executive level
• Coordinate high-quality governance and Council processes
• Strengthen organisational alignment and stakeholder relationships

Ko wai te Pakihi nei | About the Organisation

Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa is the national arts development agency, working alongside artists, ringatoi, practitioners and arts organisations across the motu. The organisation is moving into the next phase of a significant change programme, with a new operating model designed to strengthen leadership, connection, investment and impact across the arts and ngā toi.

Ko te āhua o te tūranga | About the Role

You'll provide trusted support to the Chief Executive and Arts Council, helping drive effective governance, decision-making, and organisational performance across CNZ.

Working closely with leaders and stakeholders across the organisation, you will:

• Manage the Chief Executive's schedule, priorities, and key stakeholder engagements
• Coordinate Council, Committee, and Senior Leadership Team meetings and activities
• Prepare agendas, papers, minutes, and governance records
• Deliver briefings and reporting that support informed decision-making
• Support the smooth flow of information across executive and governance functions
• Build trusted relationships across CNZ and the wider arts sector

Mōu | About You

The successful candidate will bring:

• Executive support experience at Chief Executive or senior leadership level
• Governance administration and committee support experience
• Exceptional organisation skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
• Proven ability to manage confidential information with discretion
• Advanced Microsoft 365 and digital systems proficiency
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across diverse communities and stakeholders
• Understanding of te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with a commitment to ongoing learning

Applications close midnight Sunday 8th November 2026

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Aplacewhereexcellenceandcultureareencouraged and ultimately recognised.

Kia tau ai te mauri tū, te mauri ora ki te katoa. Nau mai, tau mai! Vitality and well-being for all. Welcome, settle here!