Executive Assistant / Board Secretary
Location: Braddon, ACT
Work Type: Full-time or 0.8 FTE
Work Arrangement: In-office or Hybrid (3–4 days per week in office preferred)
About COSBOA
The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) is the national voice for small businesses. We advocate for policies that enable small businesses to thrive and work closely with members, stakeholders and government to drive meaningful outcomes for the sector.
We are a small, highly motivated team committed to delivering impact in a fast-paced and purpose-driven environment.
The Role
We are seeking a highly organised, proactive and personable Executive Assistant / Board Secretary to support the CEO and play a key role in enabling effective governance across the organisation.
This is a dynamic, high-trust role that sits at the centre of COSBOA’s operations. You will provide practical support to the CEO, while ensuring the smooth coordination and administration of Board and committee processes.
Key Responsibilities
Executive Assistant to the CEO
* Manage the CEO’s calendar, including scheduling, prioritisation and coordination of meetings
* Monitor and triage the CEO’s inbox, drafting responses where appropriate
* Coordinate internal and external meetings, including preparation of agendas and materials
* Arrange travel, accommodation and logistics
* Act as a key point of contact for stakeholders engaging with the CEO
* Support the CEO to stay organised, prepared and focused on priorities
Board Secretary Responsibilities
* Coordinate Board, Board Committee and Member Advisory Panel meetings
* Coordinate and distribute agendas, papers and meeting packs
* Attend meetings and take accurate, timely minutes
* Maintain records of decisions, actions and governance documentation
* Support follow-up on actions and ensure timely completion
* Ensure effective document management and filing across governance materials
Administration & Coordination
* Maintain organised and accessible filing systems
* Support internal coordination across the team as needed
* Contribute to continuous improvement of systems and processes
* As needed, provide general administrative support in a small team environment
About You
You are a natural team player with excellent relationship management skills. You thrive in fast-paced environments and bring structure, calm and professionalism to complex and evolving priorities.
Key Requirements
* Minimum 3 years’ experience as an Executive Assistant (or similar role)
* Demonstrated experience taking high-quality meeting minutes, ideally in a Board or governance context
* Excellent relationship management skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust across a diverse network of members, government contacts, stakeholders and partners
* Exceptional organisational and time management skills
* Strong written and verbal communication skills
* High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
* Proactive, solutions-focused mindset
Personal Attributes
* Personable and professional, with strong relationship skills
* Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic environment
* Discreet and able to handle sensitive information with confidentiality
* Calm under pressure and able to anticipate needs
* A genuine team player who contributes positively to team culture
Why Join COSBOA?
* Be part of a purpose-driven organisation making a real difference for small business
* Work closely with senior leadership and key stakeholders
* Join a supportive, collaborative and high-performing team