Andrew Leigh

Diary Manager - Office of Dr Andrew Leigh

I’m looking for a full-time executive assistant to join my team, working across both my Parliament House and Gungahlin electorate offices. Women and people from minority ethnic groups are traditionally underrepresented in politics, and are especially encouraged to apply.

The position will involve managing and coordinating my diary and acting as a first point of contact in my Parliamentary office. A typical day involves handling incoming invitations, organising my schedule and travel arrangements and making sure they run smoothly, and engaging with stakeholders and members of the public contacting the office.

But it’s not just logistics and people management - as a government office, we’re focused on using our time and energy in the best way possible to advance the priorities of the government and get great outcomes for our ministerial and electorate constituencies.

If you’re cheerful and resourceful and relish the challenge of juggling changing priorities in a busy environment, you’d be a good fit.

If you want to know more about our values and the activities of the office, look to the Principles of Politics at the bottom of this post, check out our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Twitter) or our website, www.andrewleigh.com.

The present team consists of 6 full-timers, plus a handful of part-timers and volunteers. There's a strong sense of camaraderie, and it's a great way to help the community.

Depending on experience, the salary range is $69,046 - $81,703

Applications close Sunday 27 August. If you're interested, please send a one-page cover letter and CV to [email protected].

Duties of the position include:

• Maintain the diary, responding to invitations after consultation with staff and other parliamentary offices as appropriate.
• Organise official travel including transport logistics.
• Handling competing demands on the schedule at short notice.
• Assisting the Media Adviser and other staff with forward planning and scheduling coordination on a day-to-day basis.
• Recording and managing expense claims.

What’s our office like? Companies have corporate statements, and charities have values statements. In the same spirit, we have our “Ten Principles of Politics”, which are set out below.

Principles of Politics - Office of Andrew Leigh MP

1. How we practice politics can be as important as the policies we pursue. Since this is politics, we’ll never be universally popular. But we should treat co-workers, constituents and colleagues with respect and dignity. This is especially important when dealing with vulnerable constituents.
2. Our communications should try to engage with the better instincts of Australia, to tell stories, make new arguments, and convey fresh facts. When we dumb down debates and demonise our opponents, progressives lose. When we enrich the public conversation, we win.
   
   
3. None of us would be here without the Labor Party. It is Australia’s oldest and greatest political party, and will outlast all of us. We have a responsibility to cherish its traditions, make it stronger and more democratic, and help Labor win elections.
   
   
4. When we cannot help someone, we should tell them honestly, and use that time to help others; particularly the most disadvantaged.
   
   
5. We should be working on the most important things possible – big ideas, critical questions, major community issues. The only way to get the space to do this is to say no to less important priorities. We can do anything, but we cannot do everything.
   
   
6. Experimenting is good, and learning from our mistakes is healthy – but only if we share what we’ve learned with our team and our Labor colleagues.
   
   
7. Envy and hate are two of the biggest timewasters in politics. Media coverage is a means, not an end. Working in politics is a privilege, and we’re lucky to do it. Our office should be the positive, respectful and safe work environment we would want for every employee in the country.
   
   
8. Wherever possible, we should draw on the strengths of diversity, and collaborate with colleagues on policies, campaigns and events. Labor is the party of “we”, not “me”.
   
   
9. Don’t apologise for spending time with friends and family, exercising or reading fiction. Not only is socialising important in itself; a well-rounded life helps us do our jobs better. Strive for calmness, balance and gratitude.
   
   
10. Act ethically, crack jokes when we can, and keep a sense of perspective. The typical career lasts around 80,000 hours. Let’s make them count.