Executive Assistant to the Secretary

About the role

The Executive Assistant to the Secretary provides high‑level executive, strategic and operational support to the Office of the Secretary within the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. Working with a high degree of autonomy and discretion, the role ensures the Secretary’s office runs efficiently and contributes to the delivery of department‑wide priorities.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee the flow of work to and from the Secretary, triaging high‑risk, sensitive and time‑critical matters, including ministerial and Cabinet business.
• Manage the Secretary’s schedule, aligning it with strategic priorities, parliamentary commitments and stakeholder engagements.
• Act as a central coordination point across Deputy Secretaries and divisions to ensure consistency, quality and timeliness of advice.
• Prepare and quality‑assure high‑level written materials such as ministerial briefs, Cabinet documentation, correspondence, speeches and presentations.
• Build and sustain strong relationships across the Senior Executive Service, Minister’s offices, central agencies and external stakeholders.

Required profile

• Demonstrated ability to operate with autonomy, discretion, professionalism and sound judgement.
• Trusted adviser capable of anticipating requirements and managing competing demands.
• Experience navigating complex, sensitive and time‑critical matters, including ministerial and whole‑of‑government business.
• Strong relationship‑building skills across senior government and external stakeholders.

Required skills