Personal Assistant

About the role

Christchurch City Council’s Head of Regulatory Compliance is looking for a highly capable Personal Assistant to provide senior-level support in a role that is varied, fast-moving, and hands-on. This position is suited to someone who enjoys juggling competing priorities, finding practical solutions, and contributing to the wellbeing of the community.

The Regulatory Compliance Unit helps keep Christchurch safe, healthy, and well managed for people who live, work, and visit here. The team’s work covers alcohol licensing, food safety, environmental health, premises licensing, animal management, compliance and investigations, and LIM information. A dedicated Customer Service & Triage team also supports these functions so people and organisations can meet their obligations for the public good.

In this role, you will be the central support person for the Unit and the main contact point for the Head of Regulatory Compliance. You will stay organised, anticipate what is needed next, and help ensure strategic priorities can move forward without distraction.

Key responsibilities

• Keep the diary organised by coordinating commitments in advance and making sure schedules align with priorities.
• Act as the first point of contact for mail, email, and phone enquiries, then triage, redirect, or escalate as appropriate.
• Gather background material, research key issues, and prepare information packs for decision-making.
• Support meetings by attending and producing accurate, timely minutes.
• Coordinate Unit responses to media requests and LGOIMA matters.
• Build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Handle sensitive and confidential material, including employee information and strategic documents, with care and discretion.

What we are looking for

You will be a technically confident person who can think ahead, stay composed under pressure, and adapt smoothly as priorities change. The ideal candidate will bring initiative, a friendly and professional manner, and a strong commitment to quality work.

To succeed in this position, you will need solid administrative knowledge, excellent written communication, and strong attention to detail. You should also be comfortable working with senior stakeholders in both formal and informal settings.

Requirements

• At least 6 years of experience as a Personal Assistant in a large organisation, including 3 years supporting a Senior Manager or someone in an equivalent position.
• Excellent spelling, grammar, and written communication skills.
• Strong understanding of administrative systems and processes.
• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience managing relationships at senior level in both formal and informal environments.

Benefits

• Access to training programmes, workshops, and ongoing development opportunities.
• Flexible work options, including working from home, adjustable start and finish times, and the ability to purchase extra leave.
• Exposure to different parts of the organisation through collaboration across teams.
• A range of employee benefits, including health-related schemes and retail discounts.

Additional information

Christchurch City Council is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you are interested in this opportunity but do not meet every requirement exactly, you are still encouraged to apply.

If you need any support or adjustments during the recruitment process, you can contact [email protected].

This is a full-time permanent position based primarily at 53 Hereford Street, Christchurch.

The salary range for this role is NZD 67,635 to NZD 75,150 per year, based on a 40-hour week. Starting pay will depend on the successful candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, and internal role relativity.

The closing date is 13 July 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may be arranged before the closing date. The organisation may close the advert early if needed.