Executive Assistant

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity is available for an Executive Assistant to Director and CEO to join the Burnet Institute!

In this role you will provide high-level executive, administrative, coordination and communication support to the Director and CEO and Executive Manager, enabling the effective operation of the Office of the Director and CEO

You will also

• Manage complex diary coordination, scheduling and executive priorities for the Director and CEO.
• Coordinate meetings, committees and governance activities, including preparing agendas, papers and minutes.
• Prepare briefings, correspondence, reports and presentations while tracking actions and key organisational priorities.
• Coordinate travel, events and logistics for the Director and CEO, Executive team and Board members.
• Support Executive Office projects, process improvements and administrative operations across the Institute.

Refer to the attached position description for full details. This is a Full Time, 1.00 FTE, ongoing position. The role offers flexible working hours and the option to work from home up to 2 days per week

Let's talk about you

The following criteria are essential requirements:

• Demonstrated experience providing high-level executive support within a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build productive relationships and manage sensitive information with discretion.
• Advanced organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills and experience using Salesforce or other database management systems.
• Experience preparing reports, briefing papers, correspondence and meeting documentation.

The following are desirable but not essential:

• Experience working within the medical research, academic or not-for-profit sector.
• Experience supporting C-suite executives or senior leadership teams.

The Burnet experience…

We want you to have a successful and meaningful career at Burnet and are committed to providing a supportive workplace environment for all our people. You will be part of a collaborative culture where progressive leadership, innovation, respect, and excellence are valued. Join a team of talented individuals who are passionate about what they do – achieving a more equitable world through better health.

We offer

• A monthly accrued day off for full-time staff
• 14 weeks paid parental leave - no qualifying period
• Study leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• Generous salary packaging
• Opportunities for career and professional development

Who are we?

Burnet Institute is a leading Australian, unaligned, not-for-profit, organisation passionate about social justice, equality and evidence-based research.

Burnet Institute brings together a highly diverse skill base, with more than 600 staff and students working across cutting-edge research and projects to address some of the most relevant global health issues. Institute-wide interdisciplinary health programs Disease Elimination, Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness, and Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health are at the heart of our daily decision making. Harnessing our international and local field presence, our laboratories, and our mixed development and research cultures drives a greater focus on the most relevant health issues and achieves a greater impact as a result.

Whilst our headquarters is in Melbourne, Australia, we also have offices in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Myanmar and are actively involved in research and public health programs throughout Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and Africa. Burnet is the only unaligned organisation in Australia that has dual accreditation with both the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Bring your whole self to work

At Burnet, we foster a diverse and inclusive culture. We want our people to feel like they belong and are free to be themselves at work. We have an active Gender Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (GEDI) Council that works to promote and improve gender equity, diversity and inclusion across the Institute, by developing and implementing strategies informed by both national and international best practice and staff input. Burnet holds an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award from Science in Gender Equity (SAGE). If you have a reasonable adjustment, support, or access requirement at any stage of the recruitment process, we encourage you to let us know by emailing ***email_hidden***.

Sounds great! How do I apply?

Apply below and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Applications close at 11:59pm AEST on Sunday, 12 July 2026

As part of our commitment to gender equity, we have included a question in the application process on gender. This will allow us to monitor and report on gender in relation to our recruitment process.

Burnet is a child safe organisation. The successful applicant will be required to apply for a National Police Check. Current Australian working rights are required for all applicants.