Executive Assistant

• Be an integral part of a collaborative and positive team
• Manage information and correspondence with care and discretion
• Based in the Central City opposite bus exchange

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

Waitaha - our Canterbury region - is like no other and we are proud to call it home. We have the privilege of working with Papatipu Rūnanga, stakeholders and our wider community to protect our environment, including water, land and air through regulation and planning. As a Regional Council we're responsible for flood protection, public transport, civil defence, and more.

Together we're taking action to shape a thriving and resilient Canterbury, now and for future generations. Toitū te marae o Tāne, toitū te marae o Tangaroa, toitū te tangata | if the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive.

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

This key role provides high-level executive support to the Director Operations so they can work effectively to deliver on key outcomes in a timely manner, including ensuring the Director is fully briefed and prepared for meetings.  This role is pivotal in ensuring their time is used strategically and efficiently.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing diaries, emails, and priorities with discretion and political acumen
• Preparing and reviewing correspondence, reports, and presentations
• Coordinating meetings, agendas, and action tracking
• Supporting recruitment and onboarding processes for direct reports
• Acting as a trusted liaison with internal and external stakeholders

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

Mōu │ About You

You'll be an experienced Executive Assistant who thrives in a fast-paced, complex environment.

You're highly organized and remain composed under pressure, with a talent for juggling multiple priorities while ensuring everything runs seamlessly. Your keen eye for detail, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and confident proficiency in Microsoft Office—especially Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint—enable you to deliver work of the highest standard.

Experience working in Local government is a bonus but not essential.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience

• At least 5 years' experience supporting senior leaders
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• High level of discretion, integrity, and political awareness
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills and ability to learn new systems quickly
• A tertiary qualification in business administration (or equivalent experience)

Competency in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga is an advantage, and we welcome applicants who are on their own te ao Māori journey.

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury

Our mahi is underpinned by our values:

• Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
• Pononga (integrity)
• Manaakitanga (people first)
• Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
• Māiatanga (can do)

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone's contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.

Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information

Applications close on Sunday, 23 November.  Applications will be reviewed as we receive them, and interviews may take place before the close date. We reserve the right to close advertising early.

Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role.

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can

Job Description