Office manager

Guardian Australia is part of Guardian News & Media (GNM), publisher of theguardian.com. As a leading global media organisation, we are renowned for our pioneering independent journalism and our award-winning digital products.

We are seeking an office manager in Sydney to be a primary point of contact for our four offices. You’ll support our editorial and commercial teams by managing day-to-day office needs, coordinating repairs, and partnering with service providers to ensure everything runs smoothly. You’ll also play a key role in championing sustainability goals and helping to maintain a safe, welcoming workspace for everyone. This is a hands-on opportunity to be the heart of our office environment and truly make an impact on our daily operations.

In this role you will…

Offices & facilities

• Proactive, hands-on office management, using initiative to identify and document issues, escalate if necessary, and act to resolve
• Be the primary contact for staff reporting facilities matters, including after-hours emergencies from time to time
• Management of on-site service providers, including cleaning and security, ensuring satisfactory service levels with reported matters being addressed or resolved in a timely manner
• Proactively manage office stocks including kitchen, stationery and first aid supplies for all office locations
• Coordinate  contractors for offices projects within budget and specified timelines
• Coordinate repairs/service checks for kitchen appliances, air conditioning, electrical testing & tagging, meter reads, alert systems for all offices
• Periodically review office services vendors to ensure Guardian Australia is receiving a competitive rate and satisfactory service level
• Maintain a database of contracts ensuring upcoming renewal, milestone and option dates are flagged with the appropriate business owners
• Assist the Head of IT and Operations with insurance renewals
• Work with CFO and Head of IT and Operations on long-term office strategy, coordinate office moves or reconfigurations
• Draft and send internal communications to staff about changes that affect the any of our offices
• Provide support to all staff around the purchase order & expenses system
• Other general office duties as required

Sustainability

• Collate data for annual carbon audits
• Manage supplier relationships (e.g. travel, cleaning, utilities) and onboard suppliers with aligned values wherever possible
• Develop relationships with building managers and encourage sustainability improvements at our office locations
• Champion sustainability initiatives and encourage staff adoption and participation 

Security, WHS & Emergency Procedures

• Actively participate in the WHS committee 
• Recruit volunteer committee members, first aiders and emergency wardens in all departments and Australia office locations
• Implement office security initiatives and strategies
• Supervise on site security personnel
• Ensure emergency wardens and first aiders maintain current training
• Liaise with management on any threats received by email, mail or phone, and manage appropriate reporting

Policies and procedures

• Update internal employee site content in conjunction with the P&C and IT teams
• Ensure compliance with WHS standards at all offices
• Assess and mitigate company risk with regard to work, health and safety in consultation with the head of IT and operations.

You’ll bring….

Knowledge and experience

• At least 2 years of office management experience
• Demonstrated experience coordinating building contractors, such as security, cleaning, and trades.
• Demonstrated success managing positive stakeholder relationships, both internal and external to the organisation
• Experience drafting procedures, and communications
• Experience coordinating office modifications and/or reconfigurations
• Ability to work flexible hours and provide support to other office locations as required 

Skills / behaviours

• The ability to coordinate projects and engage effectively with contractors and vendors  
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills, in person and in writing
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion,  and sound judgement to deal with difficult situations
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and with an ability to build effective working relationships with people at all levels
• Motivated, proactive, with strong initiative
• Good analytical, lateral thinking and problem solving skills
• Organised with the ability to prioritise around workflow, manage own time and meet deadlines
• Calm under pressure
• Tactful, adaptable and a team player
• Confident in own capabilities
• High attention to detail
• Willingness to take ownership
• Optimistic ‘can do’ attitude

About working at Guardian Australia… 

• Hybrid working 
• Employee assistance program (EAP) to support employee wellbeing
• Paid volunteer leave
• Dedicated diversity and inclusion employee groups, action plans (including our Reconciliation Action Plan) and cultural competency training
• Guardian digital subscription

For more information please view the full job description here.

This role is being offered on a full-time, permanent basis. 

To apply for this position, please apply online and upload your résumé (maximum three pages) plus covering letter. In your covering letter please outline your motivation for applying for the role and why you think you are suitable.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 5 July 2026

If you have application questions or if you require an adjustment to be made during the recruitment process, please email [email protected]

We believe that our role in the Australian media is to give a voice to the most marginalised people in society and value and respect all differences in all people — including people of colour, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from different social classes, people with diverse gender and sexual identities, and people with disabilities (seen and unseen). We believe that these communities must be centred in the work we do, bringing a new perspective and a diversity of thought. We also encourage flexible working and aim to create a work environment where all employees feel respected.