Exciting Opportunity for a Passionate Leader to Chair Our Board and Drive Impact 

The opportunity

We are seeking a passionate and experienced leader to join our Board and guide us towards achieving our ambitious goals as we embark on exciting new growth initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of Kindred and make a lasting impact on the lives of children with disability and their families.

About Kindred

Kindred is an independent, family-led not-for-profit organisation supporting parents and caregivers raising children with disability, delay, and neurodivergence across New South Wales. We offer a range of peer-support programs and services to help families build their knowledge and skills, create networks of support, and feel positive and hopeful for their child’s future.

Guided by values that promote inclusion, strengths-based and evidence-based approaches, and the rights and dignity of all people, Kindred has rapidly grown to be a valuable support for our community of families who have children with disability. Last year, our workshops, webinars, peer groups, and programs directly supported over 2,000 families, and we reached over 59,000 people through our digital resources, information, and communications.

Responsibilities of the position 

• Fulfil all Director’s Duties defined by Australian law applicable to Kindred Community Inc. 
• Ensure the Board operates as an inclusive, well-functioning team by providing guidance and support to board members and identifying opportunities for individual or group development. 
• Establish the agenda for board meetings and the board’s annual work plan collaboratively with Management. 
• Lead and facilitate board meetings, including: ensuring the business of the meeting is dealt with effectively and efficiently, the board’s decisions are consistent with the organisation’s purpose and values and are in the best interests of the organisation, and the quality, timeliness, and sufficiency of information provided to the board, including board minutes. 
• Undertake appropriate public relations and stakeholder engagement activities, as agreed with the CEO.
• Promote Kindred through professional networks to expand the organisation’s relationships.
• Preserve confidentiality of organisational information. 
• Ensure compliance with key accountability requirements, including: Kindred Constitution, in particular facilitating the AGM, and ACNC standards and reporting. 
• Work collaboratively with the CEO, including: maintaining an open, frank and transparent working relationship, providing guidance to the CEO without interfering with day-to-day operations, be the major point of contact between the board and CEO, and initiating and overseeing the annual CEO evaluation process.

Qualities and experience

• Minimum two years experience as a Non-Executive Director on a board. 
• Experience in a Chair role either on a board or a governance committee. 
• Strong demonstrated capability in supporting the implementation of an organisation’s strategic plan from a governance level. 
• Expertise in business planning and governance.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a commitment to genuine dialogue and collaboration. 
• Ability to manage confidential information, competing interests and resolve tensions. 
• A strategic thinker with a focus on innovation and long-term sustainability.

Desirable but not essential 

• Deep knowledge of the not-for-profit sector, particularly in the NSW context. 
• Experience in government relations.
• Extensive experience in a senior leadership role, preferably in the not-for-profit sector.
• Lived experience of disability or parenting a child with disability.

Location

Located in Sydney or have the ability to travel to Sydney for meetings.

Time commitment 

• Approximately 8 – 10 hours per month, as well as one full-day strategy workshop.
• The board meets 6 times per year, held virtually. 
• In addition to board meetings (and required preparation and follow-up time), the Chair may be involved in committee meetings, meetings with the CEO, organisational events, and meetings with stakeholders or funders. 
• This is a voluntary position.

How to apply:

Please send a brief letter and your CV to Nerida Bodycote, Board Director (nerida@kindred.org.au) expressing your interest in the role.

If you have any questions, please contact Nerida for a confidential discussion.

Applications close on 5 April 2024.

Our Why

Kindred exists to bridge the gap between what is and what could be, empowering families to create a life filled with purpose, belonging, and joy for their child with disability.