Executive Assistant

Company Description

Every institution values excellence. What matters most is why.
Griffith was created to be a different type of university.  You’ll find we’re about leading research, academic excellence, and the transformative power of education. But what sets us apart is why those things matter and how you’ll achieve them.

Why? Griffith brings together exceptional minds like yours from across the globe and from all walks of life. Here, we do incredible work, questioning and challenging, always in the pursuit of excellence.

Job Description

Research is the beating heart of every great university. It fuels discovery, deepens understanding, informs student experience and drives the innovations that shape a better world. At Griffith University, we are proud to be at the forefront of this global mission, making significant contributions to Queensland, Australia and the world through groundbreaking research and development and nurturing the next generation of visionary research leaders.

The new ARC Centre of Excellence in Transforming Human Origins Research will exemplify this vision by transforming our understanding of why and how our species, Homo sapiens, is the only surviving human on our planet. The Centre will mobilise Indigenous, Global South and Western expertise to examine under- researched regions in Africa, Asia, and Australia. This novel synthesis aims to address how we became a versatile, global species, resilient to profound environmental changes over the last 300,000 years. Outcomes will include new scientific models and revisions to public education and policies about our history, our biological, and cultural relationships to one another, and how we have reshaped ecosystems worldwide. Benefits include a transformed, ethically engaged study of human origins for the betterment of society.

Join a globally significant research initiative that is reshaping our understanding of human origins.

As Executive Assistant, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the Director and contributing to the successful delivery of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Transforming Human Origins Research. Working across a diverse portfolio of activities, you will provide high-level project coordination and administrative support, helping drive governance, communications, stakeholder engagement, events, reporting, and the monitoring of key actions and deliverables.

This role is ideal for a proactive and highly organised professional who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys building relationships with diverse stakeholders, and takes pride in enabling strategic and operational success through exceptional coordination and support.

Key responsibilities include but not limited to:

- Provide high-level executive support to the Director, including diary management, domestic and international travel coordination, accommodation arrangements and associated financial administration.
- Manage day-to-day administrative operations, including information flow, correspondence, financial and HR processes, and the timely coordination of enquiries and actions.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and supporting the achievement of Centre objectives.
- Deliver secretariat support to committees and working groups, including coordinating agendas, preparing documentation, recording minutes and tracking actions.
- Coordinate Centre events, workshops, conferences and visitor programs, ensuring professional delivery and a positive stakeholder experience.

About you
The successful candidate will hold a minimum of an associate diploma qualification plus demonstrated experience in an executive support or advanced administrative role, or an equivalent combination of relevant skills, knowledge and experience.

You will also have:

- Demonstrated experience providing high-level executive support in a complex organisation, including diary management, travel coordination, correspondence management and administrative support to senior leaders.
- Exceptional organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Proven ability to coordinate administrative operations, including the use of financial, human resources and business systems, while maintaining confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
- Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare professional documentation, liaise effectively with diverse stakeholders and foster positive working relationships.
- Demonstrated experience providing secretariat support to committees, boards or working groups, including preparing agendas and papers, recording minutes and monitoring actions.
- Proven ability to coordinate events, workshops, conferences and stakeholder visits, ensuring high-quality planning, administration and delivery.
- Strong problem-solving skills and initiative, with the ability to work independently under general direction while contributing effectively as part of a team.
- High level proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications and the ability to quickly learn new systems and processes.

Desirable

- Experience supporting research, higher education, government or grant-funded programs.
- An understanding of governance, project coordination and stakeholder engagement within a large, complex organisation.
- Experience coordinating activities involving domestic and international collaborators, visitors or partners.

What we can offer
This is a fixed term (7 years), 60% part-time position primarily based at Griffith University Brisbane South (Nathan). As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations. Griffith University’s campuses are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

Salary Range
The full-time equivalent base salary for a HEW Level 5 is in the range $82,415 - $92,456 per annum, plus 17% superannuation. The total FTE package will be in the range $96,426 - $108,174 per annum.

Additional Information

Why Griffith?
As a values-led organisation, at Griffith University, we've worked hard to create a dynamic and strong organisational culture. We offer:

- Wide range of Learning and Development opportunities
- Salary packaging options and corporate health discounts
- Generous leave entitlements including paid parental leave and leave loading
- Support with future learning opportunities through our educational staff assistance scheme

How to apply
At Griffith, we’re committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all - whoever you are and wherever you’re from. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page. Our University is committed to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive community for all. In alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence (2025), Griffith University includes a declaration as part of the recruitment journey to uphold the values and standards of our community. Griffith University also maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against all forms of modern slavery. For more information, please refer to Griffith’s Modern Slavery Policy .

Please submit your application online and ensure it includes the following:

- A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (please refer to the About you section above and the position description (https://c.smartrecruiters.com/sr-company-attachments-prod-aws-dc5/6270a42b9da2f23e08f16ddd/293f943a-601c-4564-9d40-8ed30b16c630?r=s3-eu-central-1))
- Current curriculum vitae/resume including full contact details

Applicants must have unrestricted working rights.  Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Successful candidates may be subject to a criminal history check.

For further information specifically about this role, please contact Deb Murray, Chief Centre Operations Manager at [email protected] .

For further application and recruitment advice, please contact Theresa Burke, Talent Acquisition Partner on [email protected] .

Closing date:   Thursday, 19 November 2026 at 11.59pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.

Please allow at least 1 – 2 weeks from the closing date to expect an application update.