Executive Assistant to Mayor

About the role:

Play a key role at the heart of local government, supporting the leadership of one of Australia's most recognised and vibrant communities.

We're looking for an exceptional Executive Assistant to the Mayor who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys building strong relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders. Working closely with the Mayor and General Manager, you'll provide high-level executive, administrative and communications support that helps ensure the Mayoral Office operates effectively, professionally and responsively.

This is far more than a traditional executive assistant role. From coordinating meetings and managing competing priorities to preparing correspondence, supporting community engagement and creating digital and social media content, you'll be a key link between the Mayor, Councillors, Council staff, government agencies and the community, helping to ensure effective communication, coordination and engagement across Council and with the community.

If you're highly organised, exercise sound judgement and discretion, an exceptional communicator and passionate about supporting positive outcomes for the community, this is a unique opportunity to contribute to the leadership and success of Byron Shire Council while working in one of Australia's most sought-after locations.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide high-level executive, administrative and advisory support to the Mayor, ensuring the effective day-to-day operation of the Mayoral Office.
• Manage complex schedules, appointments, invitations and competing priorities on behalf of the Mayor in a proactive and professional manner.
• Act as a key point of contact for Councillors, Council staff, government agencies, community organisations, media representatives and members of the public, fostering positive and productive relationships.
• Coordinate meetings and events, including preparation of agendas, briefing materials, minutes and follow-up actions.
• Prepare high-quality correspondence, reports, media responses and other communications on behalf of the Mayor.
• Develop engaging digital and social media content across platforms including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to support community engagement and communication objectives.
• Exercise sound judgement, discretion and confidentiality when managing sensitive, complex and politically aware matters.
• Contribute to a customer-focused and collaborative culture while promoting a professional and positive image of Byron Shire Council.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A qualification in Business Administration, Media/Communications or a related discipline, and/or equivalent demonstrated experience in an executive assistant role.
• Proven experience providing confidential executive support in a fast-paced and complex environment.
• Outstanding organisational and time management skills, with the ability to successfully manage competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing correspondence, reports, digital content and social media communications.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive relationships with elected representatives, senior leaders, community stakeholders and members of the public.
• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, supported by sound judgement and ethical discernment.
• A high level of digital literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and contemporary digital communication platforms.
• An understanding of local government, political environments or public sector operations would be highly regarded.

View the Position Description here: Download the Executive Assistant to Mayor Position Description (PDF, 159KB)

We offer:

• A full-time, term position (35 hours per week), until 25 August 2028
• Salary and Conditions will be in accordance with the NSW Local Government (State) Award with appointment in the range of $1,403.59 to $1,626.28 per week (dependent upon skills and experience)
• 12% Superannuation

Byron Shire Council has a high performance, collaborative culture. We are a growth-oriented organisation and value individuals who are driven to succeed and exceed expectations. We like to focus on understanding how a potential candidate's talents and strengths align with the role they are interested in. Working in Local Government and for Byron Shire Council provides opportunities to grow in the direction that you aspire.

Other benefits include:

• Career development and training opportunities
• Attractive salary packaging scheme
• Employee Assistance Program (4 sessions per year)
• Fitness Passport
• Flexible work hours
• MyLeave

We believe in diversity, inclusion and equality and are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are a reflection of our community. We recognise the benefits that diversity and inclusion brings, and in turn encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities and identities to apply for our vacancies.

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements and encourage our people to explore new ways of working – including part-time, job-share or working from different locations. Everyone can ask about it.

We strongly encourage applications from people with disability and will provide reasonable adjustments in our recruitment process and in the workplace. If you need an adjustment during the recruitment process, please call or email the contact person listed above, and also advise us of your preferred method of communication.

Byron Shire Council is committed to being a child safe organisation – we respect all children and their wellbeing. We will embed Child Safe Standards into our leadership, governance and culture. We will support our staff and volunteers in their responsibilities. We will strive to keep children safe from harm and abuse.

Location: This position is based at Mullumbimby; however, Council can require you to work from other work sites as required for operational reasons.

Contact: Vicki Lawrence, Manager People and Culture, Phone: (02) 6626 7163

Closing date: 12pm (NSW time), Wednesday 14th October. Late applications will not be permitted.

Pre-Employment Screening Process:

• Reference Checks: Referees will preferably be your current or most recent supervisor and must be able to comment directly on your abilities in a work situation. If you have any objection to this action, your concerns should be raised in your application and be discussed with the Selection Panel.
• Functional Health Assessment: If applicable, the functional health assessment evaluates your physical and functional capacity against the physical demands necessary to safely perform the job for which you have applied. Applicable roles are subject to drug and alcohol testing, please note these tests will potentially require the provision of a urine sample, and a positive test will preclude a candidate from employment with Council at that time.
• Background Screening: Background checks verify the information you have provided in your application, and where applicable, also check for relevant criminal history. Checks may also include, for example, a confirmation of your employment history, qualifications/tickets and working with children clearance.

HOW TO APPLY:

Scout Talent has released an improvement to the candidate application experience through the 'Save Application' Feature. As a candidate you can start an application and progressively update the application until you are ready to submit.

You can start an application on the go, from anywhere and return to finish your application via the automatic follow up email when you have time and the required information at hand. You must use your own email address and not one used previously by another person that has applied for a position with Council.

Being mindful of diversity and inclusion we have provided 2 options to apply for the position.

Option 1 - Written Application

You may wish to prepare your responses in a Word document, and then COPY and PASTE into the fields below.

Step 1: Fill out our online application form below. Once you have completed all the questions, click 'Next'.

Step 2: Attach your resume/CV and a cover letter (optional). Once you have attached your document/s click 'Next'.

Step 3: Please review your application and confirm everything is correct. Click 'Confirm' to send your completed application.

You will receive an email to confirm your application has been received.

Option 2 - Audio File Application

Step 1: Scroll down and review the Questions that you are required to answer.

Step 2: Record an audio file of your responses and save the file (the file must be in an MP3 format and less than 50MB). Please note that all questions with a drop box or a check box as well as the reference checks details can not be answered via audio file and must be completed below.

Step 3: Fill out the Personal Details section and the questions that can not be completed by audio file on the application form below. For all of the Questions where you are responding via audio file, type the response “audio file”. Once you have completed all the questions, click 'Next'.

Step 4: Attach your resume/CV, a cover letter (optional) and your audio file. Once you have attached your documents click 'Next'.

Step 5: Please review your application and confirm everything is correct. Click 'Confirm' to send your completed application. You will receive an email to confirm your application has been received.