El 1 - Executive Assistant to The Chief Justice

**Position Overview**
The Executive Assistant provides a high level of executive, managerial and administrative support services to the Chief Justice of the FCFCOA (Division 1)/Chief Judge of the FCFCOA (Division 2) (‘the Chief Justice’) to support the exercise of his statutory duties and exercise of his day-to-day responsibilities across two extremely busy Courts. Together the Courts comprise 111 judges; hundreds of legal, social science and related support staff; registries and circuits across 43 locations; and are responsibility for around 100,000 filings per year.
The Chief Justice is responsible for the management of the administrative affairs of the Courts and the effective, orderly and expeditious discharge of the business of the Courts under the FCFCOA Act.
The Executive Assistant acts as a first point of contact for the Chief Justice and liaises with senior internal and external parties to support the Chief Justice. The role demands exceptional ability to build rapport and to promote positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. The Executive Assistant must possess initiative and professional communication skills, and ensure the utmost discretion and confidentiality in their interactions and handling of matters.
This is a key role that ensures the smooth and efficient operation of the Chief Justice’s Chambers. The Executive Assistant must be able to develop an excellent level of knowledge of the Courts' strategic priorities, functions, practices and procedures, and to oversee the Chief Justice’s Associates and the administrative support in the Sydney chambers to provide services to the Chief Justice.
The Executive Assistant is an integral part of the chambers of the Chief Justice and the national operations team more broadly, providing a wide range of high level executive and administrative support. The Executive Assistant will also assist the Chief Justice with important policy and projects, including the preparation of high level correspondence, presentation, conference papers, reports and submissions. The role may also extend to dealing with other sensitive and confidential processes as requested by the Chief Justice.
The role is busy and multi-dimensional, requiring someone with agility and highly developed organisational skills, together with strong communication and interpersonal skills. The person appointed to this position will be someone who anticipates what needs to be done, shows great initiative; is highly motivated and organised, efficient, able to work under pressure. It requires frequent contact with internal and external stakeholders. The occupant of this position must enjoy working with a diverse range of people and have strong interpersonal skills.

**Key Duties**
The key responsibilities and duties of the role include:

- Providing high level executive, managerial and administrative support to the Chief Justice;
- Preparing and coordinating complex correspondence, presentations, speeches and reports;
- Overseeing Associates and administrative staff in the Sydney chambers of the Chief Justice;
- Working closely with the national operations team assisting the Chief Justice and the Chief Executive Office and Principal Registrar of the FCFCOA (‘CEO/PR’);
- Liaising with judges, the CEO/PR and senior court staff in relation to key events and meetings;
- Providing appropriate support to the Chief Justice of forthcoming events and meetings, and prioritising matters for attention and resolving issues;
- Acting as a first point of contact for the Chief Justice as required with a range of external stakeholders and organisations;
- Implementing changes to work practices and processes in consultation with the Chief Justice;
- Assisting with the management and coordination of the Courts’ key internal and external conferences, events and meetings; and
- Supporting the Chief Justice and the CEO/PR with key projects and protocol development.

The person performing this role will need flexibility to work irregular hours, as necessary, and the ability to undertake some travel.

**Competencies and Experience**
- Well-developed senior administration/management experience working with high level stakeholders, senior legal professionals, ideally understanding of the work in a judicial chamber environment.
- Excellent judgment including exercising highest levels of discretion, planning, diplomacy, and confidentiality.
- A high standard of professional written, oral, and interpersonal communication.
- Excellent initiative and proactive attitude, and proven ability to organise, multitask and deliver results to tight deadlines.

In addition, the completion of a legal degree or in the final year of legal studies will be highly regarded, but is not essential.

**Selection Criteria**
- Demonstrated experience in providing high level executive and administrative support to heads of jurisdiction, senior officials and/or senior executives.
- Demonstrated capacity to develop and m