Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive

Whanganui District Council Holdings Ltd; Whanganui; Hybrid; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Whanganui District Council seeks an Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive. You will sit at the heart of the organisation, managing a busy diary, coordinating meetings and logistics, tracking actions, and ensuring the CE has timely information to move priorities forward across the organisation, elected members, and external partners.

You’ll be highly organised, anticipate needs, manage competing priorities with tact, draft high-quality correspondence, and build trusted relationships with

Qualifications

• At least five years’ experience supporting a senior executive.
• Experience in local or central government preferred.
• Exceptional organisational ability and adaptability.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Clear written communication and drafting high-quality correspondence.
• Discretion, diplomacy and good humour in relationships.
• Genuine ability to deliver results in a political environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage a busy and changing diary for the Chief Executive.
• Coordinate meetings and logistics to keep initiatives moving.
• Track actions and follow-ups to completion.
• Provide timely information and briefing for the CE.
• Be a key contact for people seeking the CE's time or attention.

Skills

Diary management

Organisation

Communication

Stakeholder management

Discretion & diplomacy

Job description

Below is a brief description of this vacancy

This page outlines the vacancy and the key skills and responsibilities for the role.

Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive

Whanganui, New Zealand

This isn't an EA role that sits on the sidelines. Working alongside our CE, you'll be right at the centre of what's happening across Whanganui District Council, supporting a role that spans the organisation, elected members, our community and a wide range of external relationships. It's a busy, varied and trusted position where being two steps ahead makes all the difference.

The role

Our CE works at pace and has a lot on the go. You'll manage a busy and constantly changing diary, coordinate meetings and logistics, keep track of actions and follow-ups, and make sure he has the information he needs when he needs it. You'll also be a key point of contact for people wanting his time or attention, so being approachable, building strong relationships and knowing what needs to move, what can wait and when something needs a little more care or discretion are all part of the job.

The person we're looking for

Our CE is looking for someone who:

• is exceptionally organised and can adapt quickly when plans change
• anticipates what's needed rather than waiting to be asked
• confidently manages competing priorities and keeps track of the moving parts
• communicates clearly and can draft high-quality correspondence and communications
• builds relationships easily and works with discretion, diplomacy and good humour
• has the judgement and political awareness that comes with supporting a senior executive in a complex environment
• genuinely enjoys making things happen and getting things done.

You’ll have at least five years' experience supporting a senior executive, ideally within local or central government.

Why this role?

You’ll be working alongside the CE at the heart of an organisation that has a real impact on Whanganui every day. No two days will look quite the same, and there’ll be plenty of opportunity to use your initiative, get involved and make a difference.