Company Overview

Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) represents NSW Catholic schools and their owners to the media, government, and other education sector stakeholders. Catholic Schools in NSW educate approximately one in five NSW students.

CSNSW discharges the responsibilities of an approved system authority for State and Commonwealth funding under the Commonwealth and NSW legislation inclusive of disability support funding. It also has responsibility to develop performance indicators and report on the efficiency and effectiveness of systemic schools.

Employees of CSNSW provide advice (to Government and Schools) on the full range of educational policy and compliance drivers impacting contemporary NSW schooling.

Primary Purpose of the Role

The role of the Executive Assistant (EA) is to provide a variety of high level, confidential and complex executive support to the Deputy CEO (DCEO).

The EA will act as a liaison between the DCEO and external parties including Government and community groups as well as internal stakeholders which include team members within the DCEO directorate and other directorates of CSNSW.

The EA will provide preemptive support through performing high level clerical functions, handling information requests, preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, scheduling meetings, extensive diary and email management at an executive level.

This is a full time permanent position with a requirement to work from the CSNSW office located in Sydney’s CBD.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high level secretarial support including managing the DCEO’s diary, coordinating meetings and events, travel bookings and accommodation, minute taking, collating meeting papers, draft briefings, and ensuring that matters of an urgent nature are given priority.
• Manage the flow and tracking of key briefings and correspondence to ensure effective utilisation of the DCEO’s time.
• Develop and maintain effective and trusting relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Analyse and assess requests to prioritise matters and initiate action to ensure the optimal use of the DCEO’s time, including screening telephone calls (responding or redirecting as appropriate).
• Prepare correspondence, reports, spreadsheets and presentation material to support the work of the DCEO.
• Processing the DCEO’s expense claims and credit card transactions in accordance with CSNSW policy and procedure.
• Providing support to other DCEO team members at the direction of the DCEO.
• Support other CSNSW EA’s and Team Assistants to meet company objectives when required and in their absence as requested.
• Provide reception relief and coverage in the receptionists absence.
• Other duties as requested.

Key Challenges

• Balancing a range of competing and conflicting work priorities and/or workflows. The challenge comes when competing and conflicting demands are impacted by non-negotiable deadlines. This necessitates the role to engage with and effectively manage stakeholder expectations.
• Managing confidential information and responding with discretion to enquiries from a broad range of senior internal and external stakeholders many of whom wish to raise complex and sensitive matters with the director.
• Adapting to changes in the operating environment, processes and systems in a climate of constant change. Responding positively to changes in a complex operating environment.

Essential Requirements

• Empathy with and support for the mission, ethos and beliefs of Catholic schools and the communities they serve.
• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
• Relevant degree/academic qualifications.
• At least 10 years’ experience in a similar position.
• Demonstrated experience in fast paced, demanding and high stakes environment, preferably with responsibilities to an organisational board.
• Advanced Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel skills and a willingness to learn additional platforms as required.
• Maturity, judgement ad discretion, and assertiveness when required
• Persuasive communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to maintaining privacy, confidentiality and dealing respectfully with sensitive information.
• Highly developed organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining quality and meeting timeframes.

Join Our Team!

Applications for the position should include:

• A cover letter - which must address the essential requirements of the position.
• Curriculum Vitae.

Applications to be addressed to the Human Resources Manager.

Applications close 5pm, Tuesday 11 March 2025 (unless closed earlier).

You must have full legal rights to work in Australia with no restrictions.

CSNSW only engages people who are suitable to work with children and has developed and implemented child safe human resources practices accordingly.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.