Senior Executive Assistant to CPO — Strategic Support

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

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.