At a Glance
- Tasks: Support senior leaders, manage projects, and drive efficiency in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Ryman Healthcare, New Zealand's largest retirement living and aged care provider.
- Benefits: Flexible working, additional wellbeing leave, and discounts with top brands.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture that values diversity and individual uniqueness.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of transformation and influence key decisions in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Strong Microsoft 365 skills, digital mindset, and excellent communication abilities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
A high-impact Executive Assistant role supporting two members of our senior leadership team. Parental leave cover, starting late July, for approximately 7 months. Fast-paced and project-heavy, with genuine influence across the organisation.
About Ryman Healthcare
At Ryman, exceptional care doesn't happen by chance. Behind every meal served, every activity enjoyed, every home maintained, and every moment of support is a dedicated team working together to make life easier for our residents. That's our promise: it's all taken care of. Founded in Christchurch in 1984, Ryman Healthcare is New Zealand's largest retirement living and aged care provider, with 47 villages across New Zealand and Australia and around 7,800 team members. We're proud of our 40-year history, and even more excited about where we're headed. We're in a real period of transformation, focused on stronger commercial outcomes, smarter ways of working, and continuing to set the standard in retirement living and aged care.
The Role
This is a 7-month fixed-term parental leave cover, starting late July. Supporting both our Chief Customer Officer and Chief People and Safety Officer, you'll be in the thick of it: agile, curious, and a real doer who influences and collaborates across the organisation. This is not a traditional Executive Assistant role. It's a fast-paced, project-heavy role for someone who thrives on variety and momentum. You'll do far more than manage diaries. You'll anticipate needs, drive things forward, and bring order and follow-through to two busy executive portfolios. You'll bring commercial awareness and digital confidence to everything you do, using technology smartly to work more efficiently and add value. If you're someone who likes to be at the centre of the action and gets satisfaction from making things happen, this role is for you.
What you'll do:
- Manage diaries, travel, and email across both executive portfolios, making sound, commercially aware judgments about priorities and trade-offs.
- Coordinate leadership team meetings for both leaders, including agendas, packs, logistics, and follow-through on actions.
- Coordinate quarterly sales workshops end-to-end, including agenda, pack preparation, and team travel.
- Track board paper timelines to ensure deadlines are met.
- Deliver ad hoc project work, reporting, and analysis as required, using digital tools to turn information into clear, useful insights.
- Look for opportunities to work smarter, harnessing digital tools and AI to lift efficiency and improve ways of working.
Who You Are
You are agile, curious, and resilient. You operate autonomously with minimal direction, and you bring energy and initiative to everything you do. You're a natural collaborator who can build relationships and influence across all levels of the organisation. You bring commercial nous and a genuine digital mindset, always looking for smarter, more efficient ways to deliver.
You bring:
- Strong Microsoft 365 skills, particularly PowerPoint and Excel (intermediate to advanced).
- Comfort and confidence with AI tools such as Copilot, with a genuine appetite to use technology to work smarter.
- A commercial mindset and sound business acumen, with an understanding of how your work supports broader business priorities and outcomes.
- An agile, adaptable, and self-motivated approach, with the resilience to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- The ability to operate autonomously, prioritise effectively, and keep multiple workstreams moving at once.
- Strong communication and relationship skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across the organisation.
- A proactive, action-oriented mindset, with genuine curiosity and a drive to improve how things are done.
What's in it for you:
- A business in transformation: you'll have real influence and the opportunity to work at the heart of our senior leadership team.
- Additional wellbeing leave and flexible working arrangements.
- Access to over 60 discounts with well-known brands across health and wellbeing, banking, insurance, and retail.
- Social club events, Furry Fridays (bring your dog to work).
- Pioneers Café access (Christchurch office).
Ready to apply
At Ryman, we support an environment where everyone feels welcome to be themselves. We embrace diversity and celebrate individual uniqueness, encouraging anyone wanting to work for Ryman to apply for our vacant positions.
Executive Assistant in Christchurch employer: Ryman Healthcare
Ryman Healthcare is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and transformative work environment where you can truly make a difference. As part of our team, you'll enjoy flexible working arrangements, additional wellbeing leave, and access to exclusive discounts, all while collaborating closely with senior leadership in a fast-paced, project-heavy role. Our culture celebrates diversity and encourages personal growth, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Assistant in Christchurch
✨Get Your Foot in the Door with Temp Agencies
Temporary roles in HR are often filled through agencies. Reach out to temp agencies that specialise in HR placements. They can help you find gigs quickly and give you a chance to demonstrate your skills in real-world scenarios.
✨Network at HR Events and Workshops
Dive into local HR events, workshops, and seminars. These are great opportunities to meet professionals already in the field and might lead to temporary positions. Be sure to have a chat, exchange contacts, and express your interest in on-the-spot opportunities!
✨Showcase Your Flexibility
In the temporary HR world, being adaptable is key. When you're networking or interviewing, highlight your ability to quickly learn and fill diverse roles, from recruitment to employee onboarding. Make it clear that you’re ready to dive in at any time!
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out the opportunities at Ryman Healthcare and apply directly via our website. This way, you can express your interest in temporary roles and get ahead in the application process!
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Assistant in Christchurch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your People Skills:In HR, showcasing your interpersonal skills is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you have dealing with talent management, resolving conflicts, or facilitating workshops. We want to see your ability to connect with others!
Tailor Your CV to HR:Use HR-specific language in your CV and cover letter. Mention any specific HR tools, software, or methodologies you’re familiar with, like ATS systems or performance management frameworks. This will show that you’re not just a good fit, but you've got the know-how to back it up!
Emphasise Your Flexibility:Since this is a temporary role, emphasising your adaptability and willingness to learn quickly is crucial. Include examples of how you've successfully jumped into new environments before or handled sudden changes in previous jobs. We love a team player who can hit the ground running!
Availability Matters:In your application, make sure to clarify your availability and commitment to the temporary position. This will help us understand when you can start and how you fit into our plans at Ryman Healthcare. So, don’t be shy about laying it all out there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ryman Healthcare
✨Showcase Your Adaptability
Given that this is a temporary HR role at Ryman Healthcare, it's crucial to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to adapt quickly. You might be thrown into new projects or systems, so share examples of how you've successfully navigated changes in past roles.
✨Familiarise Yourself with HR Tools
Many HR positions require familiarity with tools like HRIS or ATS systems. Before the interview, brush up on the specific software that Ryman Healthcare uses—if you see any mentioned in the job posting, make sure you're ready to discuss them and your experience with similar tools.
✨Your Motivation Matters
As a temp, it's essential to convey your motivation for this role. Employers often look for candidates who are not just filling a position, but who are genuinely keen on contributing effectively in a short period. Consider sharing why you’re passionate about HR and how you see yourself adding value at Ryman Healthcare.
✨Prepare for Real-World Scenarios
HR interviews often include situational questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about common HR challenges, like dealing with conflict or managing onboarding efficiently, and prepare to discuss how you would handle these situations at Ryman Healthcare.
