Senior Executive Assistant

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 79,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life cover

Critical illness protection

Discounted insurances

Will services

Savings schemes

Financial guidance

Mortgage broker services

Job summary

New Zealand Defence Force is seeking an experienced Senior Executive Assistant to provide executive support to the Chief People Officer, ensuring the smooth operation of the CPO’s office within a high‑security, high‑reliability environment.

You will manage a complex diary, coordinate travel and engagements, prepare briefing packs and correspondence, monitor actions and commitments, and build strong relationships with NZDF and external partners while upholding confidentiality and discretion.

Qualifications

• Significant experience supporting senior executives or leaders.
• Proven ability to manage complex diaries and executive workloads.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience handling highly confidential and sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Manage a complex executive diary, inbox and competing priorities.
• Coordinate travel, meetings, briefings and executive engagements.
• Prepare briefing packs, reports and executive correspondence.
• Monitor actions and commitments to ensure timely delivery.
• Coordinate high-level events, functions and stakeholder engagements.
• Build effective relationships across NZDF and external networks.
• Provide trusted advice and proactive support to the CPO.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

Skills

Senior executive support

Executive diary management

Stakeholder management

Written and verbal communication

Discretion and confidentiality

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Mō te tūnga | About the role

We are seeking an experienced and highly capable Senior Executive Assistant to provide executive support to the Chief People Officer (CPO), a member of the NZDF Executive responsible for leading People and Culture services across the New Zealand Defence Force. This pivotal position sits within the People Capability Portfolio and works closely with the Chief People Officer, Chief of Staff, Command Warrant Officer and senior leaders across NZDF. You will play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of the CPO's office and enabling effective leadership across a complex and dynamic organisation. Operating within a strategic environment, you will build strong relationships across government, international military organisations and key stakeholders while maintaining the highest levels of professionalism, discretion and judgement. In this role, you will:

• Manage a complex executive diary, inbox and competing priorities.
• Coordinate travel, meetings, briefings and executive engagements.
• Prepare briefing packs, reports and executive correspondence.
• Monitor actions and commitments to ensure timely delivery.
• Coordinate high-level events, functions and stakeholder engagements.
• Build effective relationships across NZDF and external networks.
• Provide trusted advice and proactive support to the CPO.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

Ngā poukenga me āű wheako | Skills and Experience

To succeed in this role, you will be a seasoned Executive Assistant with experience supporting senior leaders in a complex organisation. You will demonstrate exceptional organisational skills, sound judgement and the ability to anticipate needs while managing competing priorities. You will also bring:

• Significant experience supporting senior executives or leaders.
• Proven ability to manage complex diaries and executive workloads.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience handling highly confidential and sensitive information.
• Outstanding organisational skills and attention to detail.
• The ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement.
• A proactive, adaptable and solutions-focused approach.

The salary range for this role is $78,838 - $87,477, inclusive of the 4% employer superannuation contribution.

NŊo te rourou | What's in it for you

Your skills and dedication deserve recognition, and NZDF delivers with competitive pay matched to your experience. But that’s just the beginning – safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website. NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all – irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics – NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.