Executive Assistant | Wellington
Date: 1 Apr 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
About us | Mō mātou
The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.
We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.
As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.
Join MSD’s flagship transformation programme, MSD – services for the future, and help shape how we deliver services to New Zealanders for the next 30 years.
MSD – services for the future is about MSD’s future role and how we can make a bigger and better difference for New Zealanders. It will help us achieve the shifts we want to make to achieve our strategic goal, Te Pae Tawhiti.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
- Permanent role
- Based in Wellington
The Executive Assistant plays a critical role in enabling leaders and teams to focus on strategic and operational priorities, our people, our partners, and the delivery of high-quality services to New Zealanders.
You will be part of a busy, values-driven leadership environment, working closely with senior leaders and wider business groups.
This is a varied and fast-paced role that requires initiative, sound judgement, discretion, and strong organisational capability.
You will be a highly capable diary manager, confident in understanding and applying daily priorities to ensure the right meetings happen at the right time, and that the most critical people and issues receive appropriate focus. You will proactively manage complex diaries, meetings, correspondence, and logistics, often balancing competing and shifting priorities in a dynamic environment.
The role also supports leadership teams through effective coordination, information management, and administration. You will be a central point of contact, enabling smooth communication, supporting decision-making, and ensuring issues are progressed efficiently, including confidently engaging with and negotiating across the manager’s direct reports and wider stakeholders to move work forward.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga
You will be an experienced Executive Assistant with a proven ability to support senior leaders in complex environments, and across teams.
You will also have:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with meticulous attention to detail
- Advanced Situational awareness skills – ability to identify potential risks and issues, evaluate information and apply discretion to make quality judgements, decisions and appropriate responses
- Advanced Interpersonal and relationship management skills
- Proven experience providing GM level executive support
- Advanced diary, meeting, and information management skills, managing competing priorities effectively
- Integrity, sound judgement, and discretion
- Confidence working with a wide range of people, building trust and credibility
- A proactive, organised approach and the ability to remain calm under pressure
Apply now to be part of an organisation that values people, wellbeing, and making a real difference for communities.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $79,200.00 - $95,873.00
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.
Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.
All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at jobs@msd.govt.nz
Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.
Closing date: 16 April 2026
Joining us | Ko te hono mai
Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents. We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive, and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Māori, Hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.
MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.
