The successful candidate will bring strong experience in school administration, human resource administration, events coordination, stakeholder engagement, and executive support, together with a genuine understanding of the importance of creating an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals and families affected by autism.

Key Responsibilities

1. Executive & Organisational Administration

* Provide high-level administrative and operational support to the executive leadership team.
* Manage calendars, meetings, appointments, correspondence, documentation, and follow-ups.
* Prepare agendas, minutes, reports, presentations, briefing documents, and other executive documentation.
* Maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive organisational, employee, learner, family, and stakeholder information.
* Coordinate communication between leadership, staff, families, service providers, and external stakeholders.
* Monitor action items and ensure that commitments and deadlines are followed through.
* Identify administrative gaps and proactively implement practical solutions.
* Represent the organisation professionally and confidently when engaging with internal and external stakeholders.

2. School Administration

* Support the effective administration of school-related operations and activities.
* Maintain accurate learner, staff, parent, and organisational records.
* Coordinate admissions, enrolment documentation, attendance records, correspondence, and administrative processes.
* Assist with school calendars, timetables, meetings, activities, and key annual events.
* Coordinate communication with parents, caregivers, educators, therapists, and other relevant professionals.
* Ensure that administrative procedures are consistently applied and documented.
* Support compliance with organisational and school policies and procedures.

3. Human Resource Administration

* Provide administrative support throughout the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, staff records, leave administration, and offboarding.
* Maintain accurate and confidential personnel files.
* Coordinate interviews, references, onboarding documentation, and staff induction processes.
* Assist with employment contracts, HR correspondence, leave records, and other HR documentation.
* Support performance management and disciplinary processes from an administrative perspective.
* Coordinate staff meetings, training, professional development, and internal communications.
* Liaise with external HR professionals or service providers where required.

4. Events & Community Engagement

* Plan, coordinate, and execute organisational, school, fundraising, awareness, and community events.
* Manage event timelines, budgets, venues, suppliers, invitations, registrations, catering, equipment, and logistics.
* Coordinate communication and follow-up with families, staff, sponsors, partners, and guests.
* Develop professional event documentation, programmes, schedules, and promotional material.
* Ensure events are well organised, inclusive, accessible, and aligned with Autism Connect’s objectives.
* Evaluate events and provide recommendations for future improvement.

5. Office & Operational Management

* Oversee the smooth functioning of the administrative office.
* Coordinate suppliers, service providers, purchasing, stationery, equipment, and general office requirements.
* Maintain effective filing, record-keeping, and document management systems.
* Assist with budgets, invoices, payments, procurement, and basic financial administration where required.
* Develop and maintain administrative systems that improve efficiency and accountability.
* Ensure that deadlines, policies, procedures, and operational requirements are consistently managed.

Executive-Level Capability

The successful candidate must be comfortable operating in an executive environment and demonstrate the maturity and judgement required to work with senior leadership.

We are looking for someone who:

* Thinks strategically while maintaining excellent attention to detail.
* Can prioritise competing demands and remain calm under pressure.
* Takes initiative rather than waiting to be instructed.
* Can anticipate the needs of leadership and the organisation.
* Handles confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
* Communicates professionally with people at all levels.
* Is confident making decisions within their scope of responsibility.
* Can manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
* Has the presence and professionalism to represent Autism Connect appropriately.
* Understands that executive administration requires ownership, accountability, discretion, and proactive problem-solving.

Essential Requirements

* Relevant qualification in Business Administration, Office Administration, Human Resources, Education Administration, Management, or a related field.
* Proven experience in a senior administrative, executive administration, school administration, or operations role.
* Strong HR administrative experience.
* Demonstrated experience in event planning and coordination.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Strong Microsoft Office / Google Workspace proficiency.
* Excellent organisational and time-management abilities.
* High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
* Ability to manage confidential information appropriately.
* Ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
* Strong interpersonal and stakeholder-management skills.
* Ability to operate confidently in a fast-paced environment.

Advantageous

Experience in one or more of the following would be advantageous:

* Autism or special-needs education.
* School or educational administration.
* Non-profit or community-based organisations.
* Healthcare, therapy, or allied-health environments.
* HR administration.
* Project coordination.
* Fundraising or donor administration.
* Community engagement.
* Events, conferences, workshops, or awareness campaigns.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for an individual who is:

Professional | Compassionate | Discreet | Proactive | Highly Organised | Resilient | Adaptable | Resourceful | Emotionally Intelligent | Solution-Focused

The ideal candidate will have a natural ability to connect with people while maintaining professional boundaries, and will understand the importance of empathy, patience, inclusivity, and respect when working within the autism community.

What Success Looks Like

Within this role, success means that:

* The executive team is well supported and able to operate efficiently.
* Administrative systems are organised, reliable, and consistently maintained.
* Staff and HR administration is accurate and up to date.
* School administration runs smoothly.
* Events are professionally planned and successfully executed.
* Families and stakeholders experience clear, respectful, and professional communication.
* Confidential information is handled appropriately.
* Problems are identified early and addressed proactively.
* The organisation operates with a high level of professionalism

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae to vacancies@autismconnect.org.za
• Deadline for submission: 15 September 2026
• Start date: 1 October 2026
• A cover letter outlining suitability for the role.
• Certified copies of qualifications.
• At least three contactable professional references.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Autism Connect reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Autism Connect is committed to employment equity and safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of all children in our care. All appointments will be subject to reference checks, qualification verification, and the successful completion of relevant screening processes.