About the Role

Play Matters Australia have an incredible opportunity for a director to join our Board. In this position, the director will contribute strong governance as we strengthen and consolidate our business operations, enhance client outcomes through strong program evaluation, and improve the corporate support to our programs.

The strategic directions and governance of our organisation are guided and monitored by a Board of elected volunteer representatives who meet at least six times a year. Attendance may be in person or on online. Directors are expected to attend at least 80 per cent of all meetings.

We seek to attract people with a diversity of skills and backgrounds and would currently welcome experienced directors with demonstrated leadership skills and sound business and financial acumen. Experience in early childhood education and care and/or legal and governance experience are highly desirable.

Applications from suitably qualified people in rural and regional areas are welcome.

What you need to succeed

Within the context of the role described above, the ideal candidate will be someone who can demonstrate the following competencies and attributes:

• Participate actively in governance processes, ensuring focus on Play Matters Australia’s vision and mission and be committed to our values and culture.
• Have a strategic focus and be able to look beyond the current environment to identify new approaches to deliver value in the future.

• Meet a high standard of ethical conduct.
• Have a good working knowledge of corporate governance and/or risk management principles and practice, the Corporations Act 2001 and the obligations to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.

• Be an experienced collaborator and skilled at building connections to harness the collective strengths and resources of Play Matters Australia and the Board.
• Participate in Board and Director evaluations.

• Provide positive support and mentoring advice to the CEO.

• Be willing to commit time to prepare and actively participate in Board meetings and activities.

• Strategic knowledge, or demonstrated interest in acquiring knowledge, about the Australian Early Years and Human Services sectors.

While not mandatory, completion of relevant Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) courses and/or an active membership to the AICD and compliance with associated Professional Development requirements would be considered favourably.

About Play Matters Australia

Play Matters Australia (formerly Playgroup Queensland) is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission. In conjunction with government, non-government, and community agencies, Play Matters supports and establishes state and national parenting programs aimed at families with young children. Play Matters also acts as a voice to the government and the wider community on early childhood and parenting.

Operating for almost 50 years, our Company aims to provide children from birth to five years with the best start to their life by providing their parents and caregivers with skills and confidence to support their child through the fundamental act of play.

Our Company ethos of recognising parents and caregivers as a child’s first teacher is embedded in all programs. Play Matters has developed and delivers a range of tailored, early intervention programs that are underpinned by evidenced-based methodologies. Our programs are both philanthropic and government-funded and operate commercially across Australia.

Play Matters Australia is a medium-sized organisation the has recently implemented several significant reforms to our operations aimed at better supporting our members and recognising our expanded range of services.

next steps

If you have any questions about this role, please email [email protected], using the subject line: Board Director - Volunteer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

If you fit the criteria for this role, click 'Apply Now' to forward Play Matters Australia your application.