Board Operations Manager (Executive Assistant to Board)

The role & impact Xero's Board of Directors sits at the heart of how the company is governed — and this role exists to make sure everything around them runs without a hitch. As a Board Operations Manager, you'll be the operational engine behind Board and Board committee meetings, keeping papers, platforms, communications, and logistics moving seamlessly across time zones and geographies. This is a role where precision, discretion, and initiative matter in equal measure. You'll work closely with the broader Company Secretary team and partner with stakeholders across Xero to continuously improve governance processes — from refining how papers get loaded in Diligent to coordinating in-person Board weeks in New Zealand, the US, and the UK. The work is varied, fast-paced, and genuinely consequential. The team & how they connect The Company Secretary team sits within Xero's broader legal function and is responsible for Xero's governance and compliance obligations as an ASX-listed company. The team is small, collaborative, and operates with a high degree of trust. This role reports to the Deputy Company Secretary and sits at the intersection of the executive team, the Board, and the broader Xero business. The role will initially focus on: - Owning and improving the end-to-end Board paper process, including managing Diligent, refining templates, and liaising with EA and operations teams across Xero - Planning and coordinating Board and committee meetings — agendas, shell minutes, logistics, and in-person events including hotels, catering, and travel - Supporting the Company Secretary on key governance calendar items including the AGM, annual Board performance review, and Director induction programme - Reviewing and updating Company Secretary policies and playbooks to reflect best practice and drive continuous improvement Where and how you can work This role is based in Melbourne and Xero operates on a hybrid working model, so you'll have flexibility to balance time in the office with remote work. Given the nature of the Board calendar and in-person event coordination, there's an expectation of regular office attendance, particularly around Board weeks including some travel. Here are some of the things we are looking for - A background in Board coordination, company secretarial support, or executive assistance at C-suite or Board level — ideally with exposure to a global tech environment - Confidence managing competing priorities in a fast-moving environment, with the composure to stay on top of details when things get busy - Have grit and resilience to change - Ability and desire to work in a highly dynamic environment and to operate within a constantly changing and evolving environment - Strong relationship skills — you'll be the connective tissue between directors, the Company Secretary, and teams across Xero, and you'll know how to work with discretion and good judgement at every level - Experience utilizing AI tools to improve workflows and have the experimentation mindset - A genuine enthusiasm for process improvement — you'll notice what could work better and take initiative to fix it - Clear, considered communication — whether you're drafting a director communication, managing a Slack channel, or coordinating logistics across multiple time zones Apply even if your experience isn't a perfect match! At Xero, we hire based on your skills, passion, and the unique perspective you can bring to enhance our culture and team.