• Location: Surry Hills, NSW
• Title: Director (several positions)
• Duration: Two-year terms and can be extended
• Remuneration: Unpaid, reimbursement of expenses
• Industry / Sector: Social and Affordable Housing, Homelessness Services

The Women’s Housing Company (WHC) Limited is a specialist provider of housing and homelessness services to women with and without children. With over 40 years of history, experience, and commitment, the WHC has grown and expanded its services to provide crisis, transitional, social, and affordable housing across Sydney, the Hunter and Coffs Harbour.

The WHC is a Tier 1 Community Housing Provider, registered under the National Regulatory System for Community Housing, is a company limited by guarantee and operates as a registered charity. The NSW Government provides funding through Homes NSW for the Community Housing Leasing Program, the Specialist Homelessness Services Program, and one-off grants such as the Community Housing Innovation Fund. Homes NSW also provides support through the allocation of properties for management by the WHC.

The WHC is governed by a Board of Directors elected by members in accordance with the Constitution. The Board currently comprises 8 non-executive members and is recruiting for new members to replace longstanding members. The Constitution provides for 9 directors. The Board meets 10 times per year in Sydney to provide strategic leadership and oversight in relation to the overall business, and decisions regarding policy, finances, new business, and risks. The Board has a Board Audit and Risk Committee which meets at least 3 times per year. The Board also has a Philanthropy and Marketing Committee and a People and Culture Committee.

The Board has a strong commitment to the professional and ethical governance of the business, expanding services and growing the portfolio, and maintaining the strong reputation of the company.

Essential Criteria

The Women’s Housing Company Limited is seeking applications from women who have:

• experience on a Board
• relevant qualifications such as GAICD or similar
• understanding of the housing system and challenges for women

We also require expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• property development
• philanthropy and fundraising
• human resource management
• finance and risk management
• government policy and programs

Successful applicants will need to complete declarations regarding conflicts of interest and will need to become a member of the WHC Limited.

The NSW Anti-Discrimination Board has granted the Women’s Housing Company Limited an exemption from sections 51 and 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) to designate and recruit female directors, therefore applications are welcomed from female candidates that meet the criteria.

Applicants should note that the Women’s Housing Company COVID Vaccination Policy requires that all Directors be fully vaccinated.

Information on the WHC is available at www.womenshousingcompany.org