Personal Assistant

University of Canterbury; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks leave

Professional development opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

On-campus staff discounts

Staff Club access

Job summary

The University of Canterbury in Ōtautahi, Aotearoa New Zealand, is seeking an experienced Personal Assistant to the Assistant Vice-Chancellor Engagement (AVCE). You will provide proactive, confidential support across a broad portfolio including advancement, communications, marketing and external relations.

You will manage complex calendars, prepare agendas and minutes, coordinate travel and events, handle sensitive information with discretion, and build strong relationships with internal teams

Qualifications

• 4–6 years’ experience in a high-level administrative support role.
• excellent calendar, email, workflow and time management skills across multiple priorities.
• strong written and verbal communication, with confidence working with senior leaders.
• high-quality minute taking, document preparation and information-management skills.

Responsibilities

• manage a complex calendar and email flow, anticipate priorities and coordinate the information needed for meetings, appointments and decisions
• prepare agendas, briefing material, presentations and minutes, and follow up actions to keep commitments and deadlines on track
• handle sensitive and confidential information with sound judgement, discretion and integrity
• coordinate travel, events and hospitality, including arrangements involving senior leaders and external stakeholders
• build effective relationships across the Engagement portfolio, the wider University, and with external partners
• collate information from multiple sources and present it clearly and usefully for the AVCE
• support financial administration, including invoices, expenses, purchasing and PCard processes
• contribute ideas that improve administration, workflow and the effectiveness of the Engagement Office

Skills

Calendar management

Email management

Communication

Minute taking

Discretion/confidentiality

Relationship building

Problem solving

MS 365 proficiency

Tools

Microsoft 365

Outlook

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

Job description

Te Rōpū Pāpori | Engagement

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• 5 weeks annual leave + 5 days university holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Permanent position, 37.5 hours per week
• Generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

This is an opportunity to work at the centre of a broad, high-impact portfolio that shapes how Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) connects with its communities, partners, supporters and future students. As Personal Assistant to the Assistant Vice-Chancellor Engagement (AVCE), you will be a trusted professional providing proactive, confidential and highly professional support to this senior leader across a portfolio spanning advancement, communications, marketing and external relations, domestic and international student recruitment, student operations, and global engagement.

In This Varied Role, You Will

• manage a complex calendar and email flow, anticipate priorities and coordinate the information needed for meetings, appointments and decisions
• prepare agendas, briefing material, presentations and minutes, and follow up actions to keep commitments and deadlines on track
• handle sensitive and confidential information with sound judgement, discretion and integrity
• coordinate travel, events and hospitality, including arrangements involving senior leaders and external stakeholders
• build effective relationships across the Engagement portfolio, the wider University, and with external partners
• collate information from multiple sources and present it clearly and usefully for the AVCE
• support financial administration, including invoices, expenses, purchasing and PCard processes
• contribute ideas that improve administration, workflow and the effectiveness of the Engagement Office

Mōu | Who You Are

You are an accomplished Personal Assistant or senior administrator who enjoys creating order, building trusted relationships and enabling a senior leader to perform at their best. You bring calm professionalism to competing demands, notice what needs to happen next, and take ownership of seeing it through.

You Will Also Be Able To Demonstrate

• 4–6 years’ experience in a high-level administrative support role, preferably in a large or complex organisation
• excellent calendar, email, workflow and time management skills across multiple priorities
• strong written and verbal communication, with confidence working with senior leaders and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• high-quality minute taking, document preparation and information-management skills
• excellent attention to detail, problem-solving ability and a strong customer focus
• advanced capability with Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams, and confidence learning new systems
• experience with financial administration and purchasing processes; Flexipurchase and Orbit experience would be an advantage
• the ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative administrative network
• unwavering discretion, integrity and respect for confidentiality
• An alignment with our organisation's values and culture, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

You will report directly to the Assistant Vice-Chancellor Engagement and be based in the Engagement Office. You will work closely with leaders and colleagues across Advancement, Communications, Marketing and External Relations, Student Recruitment, Student Operations, and International Relations and Partnerships. You will also connect with the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, other Personal Assistants and administrators across UC, and a diverse range of community, industry, alumni, donor, mana whenua and international stakeholders.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC

At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued.

• 5 weeks annual leave + 5 days university holidays
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• flexible working arrangements
• professional development opportunities
• a supportive and inclusive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• on-campus staff discounts
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment on a beautiful campus, with access to UC facilities such as the UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates, plus onsite cafés and eateries

For more information about benefits, please visit: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

The closing date for this position is: 3 November 2026 (midnight, NZ time)

Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date.

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency to be considered for this role.

Please note, this is an onsite position.