Executive Assistant at Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Are you an exceptional EA or Business Support professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, loves variety, and brings calm, confidence and great judgement to a busy leadership office? We’re looking for a talented Senior EA/Business Support specialist to join our People, Culture and Enabling Services team, providing high‑level support to both the GM People and High-Performance and the Head of Infrastructure.

At Oranga Tamariki, our vision is that all tamariki are safe, loved and thrive. The People team and Infrastructure function play a pivotal role in enabling our workforce and supporting safe, effective service delivery across the organisation. This role places you at the centre of work that matters. Wellington based permanent role.

About the role

This EA/Business Support position is integral to the smooth and efficient operation of two busy leaders’ offices. You will provide high‑quality executive support to the GM People and the Head of Infrastructure—coordinating priorities, managing complex schedules, supporting governance and reporting routines, and ensuring seamless communication across both portfolios.

You’ll work closely with the broader HR leadership team, Infrastructure leaders, and internal and external stakeholders. No two days will be the same—you’ll move between supporting people-related initiatives, helping progress infrastructure and workplace programmes, and ensuring both leaders have what they need to focus on strategic priorities.

 Key attributes we’re looking for

• Exceptional organisational capability – able to manage multiple workflows across two senior leaders with ease.
• Professionalism and sound judgement – confident navigating sensitive people, operational, and infrastructure matters.
• Strong communication skills – clear, warm and effective in written and verbal communication.
• Relationship builder – able to work with leaders, frontline teams, and external partners with mana and credibility.
• Proactive and anticipatory – thinks ahead, identifies risks and issues early, and ensures nothing falls through the gaps.
• Calm, adaptable and solution‑focused – thrives in a dynamic environment with changing priorities.
• Values-driven – committed to our purpose and comfortable working with te ao Māori values, tikanga and Te Tiriti principles.

Key responsibilities

Executive & Business Support

• Provide high‑level executive support to the GM People and Head of Infrastructure, including diary management, email triage, travel arrangements, and scheduling of key meetings.
• Prepare agendas, meeting packs, presentations, and briefing materials across both portfolios.
• Management of OIAs, WPQs, Select Committee and Annual Review Questions.
• Coordinate leadership routines and key deliverables for the People and Infrastructure groups.

People & HR Support

• Provide business support to HR initiatives, projects, workshops and hui.
• Assist with coordination of People leadership team meetings, planning cycles and reporting.

Infrastructure Support

• Support Infrastructure governance, including tracking actions and documentation (including staff member mandatory training requirements).
• Quality review business cases/approvals requests, and track to ensure timely completion.
• Monthly reporting.
• Manage and update Infrastructure intranet site content.
• Assist with project coordination tasks, documentation, and engagement with internal stakeholders and external vendors as required.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a central liaison point for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring timely and accurate information flow.
• Draft, proof and format correspondence and communications to a high standard.

Operational Excellence

• Manage confidential information with absolute discretion and integrity.
• Ensure both leaders’ offices run efficiently, anticipating needs, solving problems early, and enabling progress on key priorities.

Why join us?

You’ll be part of a collaborative and purpose-driven environment, working with leaders who value professionalism, kindness and high performance. This role offers visibility across the organisation and the opportunity to grow your skills in both People and Infrastructure—two areas critical to the success of Oranga Tamariki. To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/ 

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply 

Apply online with your CV and Covering Letter. If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you apply with a log in using your Oranga Tamariki email address. 

If you have any questions about role, please contact Info_recruit@ot.govt.nz  

Applications for this role close at midnight on Thursday 26th March 2026

However, we will be reviewing applications and inviting candidates to interview prior to this date, so apply now! 

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.