You won't land the Executive Assistant Townsville role by firing off a standard resume and cover letter.

The position at James Cook University closes on 9 August 2026. Strong candidates move fast on roles like this one because the pay sits right in the national average range and the benefits stack up well.

The full-time continuing job carries a salary of $90,821 to $98,369 plus up to 17 percent super. That package beats many private sector offers in regional Queensland right now.

The role supports a senior executive in the Services Division. You will manage complex calendars, prepare briefings and papers for governance meetings, coordinate projects, and act as the main point of contact for stakeholders across the university.

Experience with high-level executive support is essential. You need to show you can handle confidential matters with discretion, juggle competing priorities, and produce clear written material under time pressure.

Governance work forms a big part of the job. That means agendas, action tracking, and compliance checks. If you have done similar work before, highlight the specific outcomes you delivered.

JCU lists several must-have capabilities. Demonstrated judgement and autonomy rank at the top. You will work with limited supervision on many tasks, so the application needs concrete examples of decisions you made that kept an executive office running smoothly.

Written and verbal communication skills matter every day. The job description calls for high-quality briefings, correspondence, and recommendations. Pull examples from your current or recent roles where your documents influenced decisions or saved time.

Relationship building comes next. You will liaise with senior leaders and external partners. Show how you have represented an office professionally and built trust over time.

Benefits go beyond the base salary. Staff receive five weeks of annual leave plus loading, 15 days sick or carers leave, up to six months paid parental leave, and flexible working options. Study assistance and professional development support are also available.

The university offers a Fitness Passport, corporate health insurance discounts, and an employee assistance program. On-site childcare and medical services operate at the Townsville campus.

These extras add real value in a regional location. Many candidates overlook them when comparing offers, but they improve day-to-day life and long-term finances.

Townsville sits in tropical north Queensland. The lifestyle draws people who want access to the reef, beaches, and a lower cost of living than southern capitals. The campus sits in a health and knowledge precinct with modern facilities.

If you already live in the region or want to relocate, the continuing nature of the role provides stability. The university values diversity and encourages applications from people who meet the requirements.

Applications go through the JCU careers site. You complete an online form, upload your resume, and attach a cover letter. The cover letter must map your experience directly against the key requirements listed in the position description.

Do not repeat the job ad. Instead, pick two or three requirements and give specific examples of how you have delivered similar results. Keep the letter to one page.

Enquiries go to eoservices@jcu.edu.au. Use that address only for genuine questions about the role, not to chase updates on your application.

Most applications fail because candidates do not show they understand the pace and complexity of executive support. Review the full position description before you write anything. Map every bullet point to your own work history.

Prepare examples that demonstrate autonomy, accuracy under pressure, and stakeholder management. Numbers help. Mention how many meetings you coordinated per week, how many papers you prepared for boards, or how you reduced scheduling conflicts by a measurable amount.

Proofread everything. Small errors in an application for an Executive Assistant role send the wrong signal about attention to detail.

The job market for experienced executive assistants remains strong across Australia. National salary data shows averages between $85,000 and $105,000, with higher figures for those supporting complex organisations. This JCU package sits comfortably inside that band while adding regional lifestyle advantages.

Recruiters report that candidates who treat the application as a project rather than a form-filling exercise stand out. Allocate focused time this week to the task instead of squeezing it between other commitments.

Once you submit, the university contacts all applicants with an outcome once the process finishes. No news does not mean rejection until you receive formal advice.

If you meet the requirements and want a stable, well-supported role in a tropical location, this opening deserves your attention before the deadline passes.