About the TUSA

The Tasmanian University Union, currently operating as the Tasmanian University Students Association (TUSA), founded in 1899, is one of the oldest Student Unions in Australia, and is recognised as the peak student body representing students attending the University of Tasmania. The TUSA is involved in all facets of student life, providing a range of services to students:

• Support services – the TUSA Student Advocacy team, Student Legal Service, and Food Security Program are all examples of the work the TUSA undertake in supporting students on the ground.
• Representation – the TUSA State Council are a student representative group elected annually, who are involved in advocacy and representation for students across a myriad of university levels and departments.
• Community – the TUSA is known for its Clubs & Societies, of which there are over 100 to join in 2024 across the university. These Clubs & Societies each run events, of which there were 3900 in 2023. The TUSA also run a range of signature events, including TUSA Clubs & Societies Day (three across the state), Student Life Expo, and Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance (SHAG) Expo.
• Professional Development – the TUSA coordinate training and development sessions for our student societies, as well as the delivery of internships with the organisation, and student jobs. In fact, over half of the organisation are current students.

If you want to learn more, please visit Home - Tasmanian University Student Association (TUSA) for more information.

Position Description

TUSA is seeking to onboard two new Board of Management members to the team, as the organisation moves into a new strategic phase and focus for 2024. We are seeking the valued input of community leaders who are passionate about supporting our university students and the broader local community, as we seek to affirm the TUSA’s financial sustainability and independence for the coming decades. We are seeking applicants with a diverse range of lived experience and capabilities, providing skills and expertise in:

• Finance and Investment and/or;
• Governance and Risk and/or;
• Strategy and Partnerships.

Appointed applicants will meld well with our existing Board of Management, while bringing new understanding and experiences to inform the TUSA’s ongoing strategic vision. Board members at the TUSA handle a large portfolio, and the role requires strong communication, stakeholder management skills, excellent judgement, and an understanding of the principles of organisational governance and strategy. Exposure to community or social impact, major strategic projects or funds generation, and an understanding of the education sector, non for profit or commercial businesses is highly valued by the TUSA.

Your knowledge of the environment in which TUSA operates and your insight will be invaluable in shaping TUSA’s future.

Please note that TUSA board positions are voluntary and unpaid. Reasonable reimbursement of costs is available. For a confidential discussion or to assist with enquiries, please contact Danny Sutton, Chair of the TUSA Board of Management, at [email protected], using the subject line: Board of Management Member (Voluntary) enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Accountabilities and Responsibilities

TUSA Board of Management Members will be accountable to:

• The Chair – for supporting the activities of the Board and its members;
• The TUSA student community – for delivering outcomes that support students and improve the student experience;
• TUSA staff, stakeholders and supporters – for ensuring that agreed deliverables are achieved and resources invested are expended efficiently and effectively, and;
• TUSA organisation as a whole by practicing good governance and directorship oversight.

TUSA Board Member Selection Criteria

• Leadership and governance – A successful applicant will have experience and capability in leadership, and can demonstrate an understanding of the governance and performance management principles required to manage an organisation.
• Delivery focus – A successful applicant has most likely had experience in high performing organisations that have had success in achieving difficult outcomes in a complex environment.
• Stakeholder engagement – To be successful an applicant will have had experience managing a broad range of stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes and an understanding or connectivity with the broader local Tasmanian community.
• Commitment to the students – To be successful, the applicant will have a clear commitment to the betterment of the student experience at the University of Tasmania. They will understand and be able to articulate current challenges experienced by university students. The applicant may have spent time at the University of Tasmania or in student representative roles previously.
• Commitment to diversity – To be successful, the applicant will be experienced in fostering successful and respectful relationships with diverse communities, especially First Nations people, and LGBTQIA+SB identifying community members, and experienced in the support of gender equality opportunities.

TUSA Board Member Selection Process

Applying for a Board Member position involves completing the attached form (also available here) and providing a brief Curriculum Vitae (CV).

These documents should be returned to Shauna-Lee Ward (please see process via Apply Now link). Once submitted, you should receive email confirmation that your application has been received.

The application process involves the following steps and indicative timeframes:

• Processing of applications – once applications close, they will be considered by the Board.
• Interview – short listed candidates will be invited to an interview.
• Referee and other checks – the Board will conduct referee checks, and other checks if required, before making a final assessment of each applicant. This process may take up to two weeks.
• Consultation with delegate – once the Chair has identified their preferred candidate(s), the appropriate approving authorities will be consulted so that a final appointment decision can be made. This may take up to six weeks. The Board will then provide its recommendation to the Chair for consideration.
• Advice to applicants – once a final decision has been made, applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application by email and/or post. This may take up to one week.

Please click Apply Now to submit your application.

A position description is attached.