Executive Officer

About the role

The Executive Officer provides high-level executive, administrative and operational support to the Director, Graduate Research School, and Dean, Graduate Research and International, while contributing to the effective operation of the Graduate Research School. The position serves as a trusted point of coordination across the Graduate Research School, supporting executive operations, stakeholder engagement, financial administration and the management of executive priorities. Working within a complex and fast-paced environment, the Executive Officer is required to exercise initiative, sound judgement, and discretion while managing competing priorities and delivering a high standard of professional support.

Key responsibilities

• Provide proactive high-quality executive and administrative support to the Director, Graduate Research School and Dean, Graduate Research and International, ensuring the effective management of priorities, commitments and day-to-day operations

• Proactively anticipate requirements and identify actions necessary to support the effective operation of the Director's and Dean's office

• Manage correspondence, enquiries and requests, exercising judgement in determining priorities and facilitating timely responses

• Prepare, edit and format reports, presentations, briefing notes, submissions, correspondence and other documentation to a high professional standard

• Coordinate complex calendars, appointments, meetings and travel arrangements, ensuring effective time management and prioritisation of commitments

• Prepare, collate and coordinate briefing materials, meeting papers, agendas and supporting documentation

• Act as a key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, providing professional, responsive and customer-focused support

• Provide financial administration support including processing purchase orders, invoices, expense claims and other financial transactions

• Identify opportunities to improve administrative systems, processes and service delivery practices

• Provide back-fill support as required within the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise

About you

• Completion of a degree qualification with relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience, education and training

• Demonstrated experience providing high-level executive support to senior leaders in a complex organisation, including the ability to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgement and maintain confidentiality

• Demonstrated experience coordinating complex calendars, meetings, travel arrangements and executive commitments, including the preparation of briefing materials and meeting documentation

• Highly developed organisational and time management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple activities, meet deadlines and maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships, and communicate effectively with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders

• Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative, anticipate requirements, solve problems proactively and work with a high degree of autonomy

• Demonstrated experience undertaking financial administration activities, including processing purchase orders, invoices, expense claims, reconciliations and budget monitoring

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and experience using business, finance and records management systems

• Demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity and ethical practice principles and demonstrated knowledge of equal employment opportunity and workplace health and safety

Contact:

General enquiries can be sent to Lisa Lavey, Manager, Research Operations - Research Office at: lisa.lavey@acu.edu.au

What we offer:

• The University pursues an excellence agenda and offers an environment where staff are welcomed and safe, and valued through development, participation and involvement.

• Total remuneration valued to $112,625 - $120,977 total rem (pro rata) pa, including salary component $95,170 - $102,227 (pro rata) pa (HEW 6), employer contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.

• 17% employer superannuation contributions to eligible continuing and fixed-term staff.

• Annual leave loading of an equivalent to 17.5% of four weeks' salary pro rata payable, dependent on your commencement date.

• As an ACU staff member, you will have access to generous benefits which include but not limited to: flexible work, study leave, a variety of leave provisions and salary packaging. Find out more information about the benefits or working at ACU here.

How to Apply:

Step 1: Review the Position Description and become familiar with Our Mission and the Application process

Step 2: Click the 'View Position Description and Apply' button, and populate your candidate application details, including your:

• Resume.

• Recommended responses to the Selection Criteria and Core Competencies in a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) or in the online Declaration and Criteria application page.

• Brief online responses to any pre-screening employment questions.

Applications close: 13-SEP-2026 at 11:59pm AUS Eastern Standard Time

Preferred candidates will be required to complete mandatory pre-employment declarations and background checks, including those related to gender-based violence and foreign interference, in line with ACU's compliance requirements.

Candidates must hold Australian work rights to apply for this position. For permanent/ continuing roles, applicants must have permanent work rights. For further information visit Immigration and Citizenship(homeaffairs.gov.au)

Your Privacy of personal information is maintained in accordance with ACU policy. For more details visit: www.acu.edu.au/careers

ACU is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity and enables our people to reach their potential. This is underpinned by our mission and values, grounded in our respect for all people and the advancement of the common good. In line with our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion we welcome candidates from all backgrounds and lived experiences. ACU is recognised as a Veteran Employment Supporter and veterans are encouraged to apply. ACU offers support for candidates that may require adjustments through the recruitment process. Please contact recruitment@acu.edu.au to discuss your requirements in confidence.

About ACU:

Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a publicly funded university whose teaching, research and service is shaped by the vision of flourishing lives, thriving communities, and a more ethical future for our world. ACU has more than 2,500 staff and 34,000 students across eight campuses: Ballarat, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, North Sydney, Strathfield, Blacktown and Rome.

ACU draws on the Catholic intellectual tradition which values human reason and welcomes everyone regardless of their faith, cultural tradition or circumstances. ACU invites all staff - both academic and professional - to embrace, and to support in ways meaningful to them, its mission to respect the dignity of every human person, to seek knowledge and to advance the common good.

ACU does not accept candidate applications submitted by external recruitment agencies through the ACU careers website.

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10613634 Executive Officer 20 August 2026.pdf