Executive Assistant

Company Description

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

At the University of Auckland, Executive Assistants are instrumental in turning ambition into action. As trusted strategic partners, they enable senior leaders to focus on what matters most, using exceptional organisation, sound judgement, and strong relationships to make a meaningful contribution to the University’s success every day.

We are seeking an exceptional professional to join our growing EA Practice as an Executive Assistant. Whether you are an experienced EA or an administrator / coordinator ready to progress your career, this is an exciting opportunity to join an innovative team transforming executive support across the University.

Job Description

Why Join the EA Practice?

The EA Practice was established to create a professional community of Executive Assistants who support one another, share expertise, and deliver outstanding service to the University's senior leaders.

Today, our team supports some of the University's most influential leaders, helping them navigate complex priorities and deliver meaningful outcomes for staff, students, and the wider community.

Joining the EA Practice means more than taking on a role, you become part of a team that:

• Values collaboration.
• Invests in professional development and career growth.
• Shares knowledge, resources, and best practice.
• Supports flexible and sustainable ways of working.
• Encourages innovation and continuous improvement.
• Celebrates successes and learns together.

You'll be surrounded by experienced colleagues who genuinely want to see each other succeed.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

As an Executive Assistant, you will provide proactive, high-quality support to senior leaders, helping them focus on strategic priorities and organisational outcomes.

This fast-paced, varied role involves coordinating high-profile leadership meetings, managing competing priorities, supporting key projects, and resolving complex issues.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing complex, changing calendars.
• Coordinating meetings, workshops and events, with particular responsibility for managing complex domestic and international travel arrangements.
• Taking accurate, high-quality minutes that clearly capture key decisions and actions, and preparing agendas, papers, presentations, and correspondence.
• Developing strong relationships with stakeholders across the University.
• Anticipating issues and identifying practical solutions.
• Supporting projects and initiatives that improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Collaborating with colleagues across the EA Practice to provide seamless executive support.

This is a full-time Permanent role (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday). The salary range is $80,000 - $90,000pa.

A full description of your duties and the role are provided in the position description linked HERE.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You will bring:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, professional stakeholder management, and the ability to build effective working partnerships with senior leaders.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to plan ahead and manage competing priorities.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach, taking ownership and following through on responsibilities.
• Sound judgement, professionalism and discretion, particularly when handling confidential or sensitive information.
• A strong commitment to service excellence, supported by an approachable and dependable manner.
• Strong Microsoft 365 skills, particularly Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, alongside a willingness to learn University systems and use AI responsibly.
• A collaborative approach, including sharing knowledge, providing cover, following agreed EA Practice standards and adapting to different leaders’ working styles.
• An understanding of working within a complex organisation, preferably a university or public sector setting.
• A commitment to University values and to developing an understanding of te ao Māori.

Above all, you will enjoy working as part of a team, contribute positively to the culture, and take pride in delivering high-quality work.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university, guided by a commitment to excellence and service to our communities. With more than 8,000 academic and professional staff, we support a diverse community of over 50,000 students.

Guided by our values, we work collaboratively to advance knowledge, foster equity and inclusion, and contribute meaningfully to New Zealand’s social, cultural, and economic well-being.

We cultivate an environment that supports your growth and rewards hard work with a range of staff benefits, including:

• Competitive salary and five weeks of annual leave.
• Discounted public Transport for permanent staff
• Superannuation/KiwiSaver, matching up to 6.75%.
• Flexible working arrangements, including working from home and flexible hours.
• Leading, and inclusive parental leave provisions.
• Career development opportunities and a range of benefits, including discounted insurance, memberships, and on‑site amenities. 

Additional Information

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Please submit your application online by the closing date of Sunday 15 November, 2026. Your application should include:

• A brief Cover Letter explaining why you're interested in this role and how your skills match the requirements.
• Your updated CV.

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Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz