General

The Company Secretary is a volunteer role that supports the Board in maintaining its governance, legal and regulatory obligations under the Corporations Act, the Constitution of the Financial Rights Legal Centre, Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) requirements and other relevant laws, standards and governance policies.

The role is accountable to the Board through the Chair and works closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) to support effective governance administration, transparent decision-making and compliance with the organisation’s charitable purpose.

Key responsibilities

1. Board and committee governance: Provide secretariat services to the Board and Board committees, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, coordinating timely circulation of papers, recording minutes, maintaining action registers and supporting follow-up on decisions.
2. Board papers and executive liaison: Work closely with the CEO, COO and relevant staff to ensure Board and committee papers are accurate, timely, complete and aligned with governance requirements.
3. Governance records and registers: Maintain accurate governance records, including Board and committee minutes, resolutions, circular resolutions, conflicts of interest register, directors’ details, members’ records, delegations, and charters
4. Statutory and regulatory compliance: Coordinate, and where delegated ensure, completion and lodgement of required statutory and regulatory filings with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ACNC, Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and other relevant regulators, with support from the CEO, COO and Financial Controller.
5. ACNC and charity governance: Support compliance with ACNC Governance Standards, the organisation’s charitable purpose and obligations applying to responsible persons of a registered charity.
6. Member and general meeting administration: Coordinate notices, papers, minutes, proxies, resolutions and statutory requirements for general meetings, including the Annual General Meeting.
7. Director appointments, induction and development: Support the Chair in relation to director appointment, resignation, retirement and induction processes, and coordinate Board development and governance refresher activities.
8. Conflicts, probity and decision-making: Support transparent and well-documented Board decision-making, including processes for declarations of interest, management of conflicts and recording of decisions.
9. External advice and governance improvement: Coordinate specialist external advice on statutory obligations, the constitution, governance policies and developments in not-for-profit governance practice.

Skills and experience

• Ability to support a Board, Board Chair or Board committees, including preparation of agendas, papers, minutes, resolutions and action registers.
• Commitment to governance records, statutory registers, conflicts of interest processes, policy registers and annual governance calendars.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, accurate and well-structured governance documents for Board and committee consideration.
• High level of discretion, judgement and integrity, including the ability to handle confidential and sensitive governance matters appropriately.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to manage competing governance deadlines, reporting cycles and meeting schedules.
• Ability to work constructively with the Chair, Board of Directors, CEO, COO and senior staff while maintaining appropriate governance independence and role clarity.
• Capacity to identify when specialist legal, governance, financial or regulatory advice is required and to coordinate that advice effectively.
• Relevant legal, governance, company secretarial, risk, compliance or not-for-profit sector experience will be highly regarded.

Time commitment

• The Company Secretary role requires a time commitment of up to four (4) working hours per week on average. This approximation is based on variation in the time required week on week, depending on the Board meeting schedule.
• The Financial Rights Board meets approximately seven times a year, with one AGM and 2-3 Board Committees meeting (per 6 week cycle) in addition to the full Board of Directors.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to contribute your expertise to an organisation that advocates for fair outcomes for consumers experiencing financial hardship and vulnerability.

You'll work alongside an engaged Board and executive team while helping ensure the organisation remains strong, accountable and effective in delivering its mission.

To apply, please send your CV and a brief expression of interest to [email protected].