Senior Executive Assistant
Job description
Job Title
Senior Executive AssistantJob Description
An excellent opportunity is available for a Senior Executive Assistant to join the Office of the Director at Australia’s pre-eminent biomedical research institute.
About the Position
The Senior Executive Assistant provides high-level executive and governance support to the Chief People Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, enabling them to focus on strategic priorities, organisational leadership and the delivery of key institute initiatives.This role is central to the effective operation of the Executive and governance functions of WEHI. Managing complex executive schedules, coordinating high-level meetings and stakeholder engagement, and acting as a trusted liaison across the Institute, the Senior Executive Assistant plays a critical role in supporting organisational effectiveness and decision-making.
Working closely with the Manager, Office of the Director and the broader Executive Assistant team, the position also provides end-to-end support for Board subcommittees and governance bodies, including agenda coordination, preparation and distribution of papers, minute-taking, action tracking and administration of governance platforms such as Diligent and SharePoint.
This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced executive support professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, exercises sound judgement and discretion, and enjoys working at the centre of executive leadership, governance and organisational operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver exceptional executive support to senior leaders in a fast-paced environment.
- Coordinate governance and committee activities, ensuring effective administration and compliance.
- Manage stakeholder engagement, communications and executive priorities.
- Support strategic projects, operational initiatives and organisational activities.
- Drive efficient business operations through effective administration, records management and process improvement.
- Work collaboratively across the Executive Assistant team to provide flexible and responsive support.
Selection Criteria
Knowledge and Skills
- Demonstrated experience (5+ years) providing executive support to senior leaders within a complex organisation.
- Proven ability to manage competing priorities and complex executive schedules with minimal supervision.
- Experience supporting C-suite executives, leadership teams or governance bodies such as Boards or Board committees.
- Demonstrated experience coordinating committee or Board meetings, including preparation of papers, minute-taking and action tracking.
- Experience using governance platforms such as Diligent or similar Board portal systems is highly desirable.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications and collaborative document management platforms (e.g. SharePoint).
- Strong written communication skills with the ability to prepare professional documentation including agendas, minutes, briefing materials and reports.
Personal Qualities:
- Excellent organisational and coordination skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders.
- Highly responsive, adaptable and dependable, with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and complex environment.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while exercising discretion, sound judgement and professionalism
- Collaborative team player who actively contributes to a positive team culture, supports colleagues during peak workload periods, and willingly undertakes additional responsibilities during quieter periods to advance team and organisational objectives.
Terms of Appointment
This position is an ongoing role in a full time capacity. Salary is Professional Services Employee Level 7 ($108,119 - $117,039). Up to 17% superannuation and very attractive salary packaging options are available.
General enquiries can be directed to Marisa Raucci – [email protected].
A position description is available here.
How to Apply
Please apply by uploading your CV, cover letter and a document addressing the key selection criteria in pdf format.
Application Closing Date: Friday, 23 October 2026.
Skills mentioned

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) is dedicated to making discoveries that lead to healthier, longer lives for people everywhere. For over a century, our customers, the global community, have faced the devastating impact of complex diseases. That's why we bring together the world's most brilliant scientific minds to tackle these pressing health challenges head-on. Our researchers are relentlessly focused on solving issues in cancer, infectious and immune diseases, developmental disorders, and healthy aging. We understand that to make truly transformative breakthroughs, we need to foster an environment of collaboration and innovation. This is why we work closely with hospitals, universities, and other research institutions, ensuring our discoveries can be translated into tangible health outcomes more rapidly. Our customers, including patients, their families, and healthcare providers, are at the heart of everything we do. We actively involve over 140 consumer advisors who bring their personal experiences with disease to our research, ensuring our work is relevant and impactful. Our commitment to our customers extends to nurturing the next generation of scientists. We provide world-class training and education, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to become future leaders in medical research. We believe that by investing in people, we are investing in a healthier future for everyone. The challenges of diseases like cancer, malaria, and autoimmune disorders are immense, but our resolve is stronger. We have a rich history of groundbreaking discoveries, such as the development of colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) that have aided millions of cancer patients. This legacy of success fuels our determination to continue pushing the boundaries of medical science. By providing our researchers with state-of-the-art technologies and fostering a culture of creativity and excellence, we empower them to make the life-changing discoveries that our global community so urgently needs. We are driven by the possibility of finding cures and developing new treatments that will save and improve lives, making a lasting impact on humanity.
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