Company Secretary

Who is are-able?

For over three decades, we have been transforming lives in local communities by providing services and fostering connection as WDEA Works.  We are embarking on an extraordinary journey, introducing a new identity, are-able, a new name with the same great support.   

Are-able is built on the strong foundation established by WDEA Works and continues to provide a diverse range of services for the unique needs of individuals, businesses and communities.   We continue our unwavering commitment to "do more for more people in more communities".   Are-able is dedicated to breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes and creating an environment where every individual's abilities are recognised, valued and nurtured.

Why choose to work with are-able?

Are-able has been recognised as a Winner of The Australian Business Award for Employer of Choice. We promote a positive team culture, underpinned by the values of respect, empathy integrity and innovation.   We look for employees who have a genuine passion for those in need and can participate in our high-performing culture.  

In return for your valued contribution, we offer:

• Ongoing training and professional development
• Family-friendly organisational culture with true work-life balance
• Attractive salary packaging
• Me Days – 4 additional leave days per year
• Gifted leave over the Christmas holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company-issued laptops and mobile phones
• Use of fleet cars - no need to use your own car or to pay tax on a company car

About the Role:

Working with the Chair and Board of are-able, the Company Secretary will perform a broad range of complex secretarial functions to support the Board of are-able to meet contemporary governance, statutory and regulatory requirements.

Given the strategic importance and scale of our services and programs, this role requires an experienced and proactive Company Secretary with a proven experience and ability to pre-empt needs and deliver high quality governance outputs who will also:

• Oversight of the operations of the Board of are-able, supporting Directors to effectively discharge their responsibilities.
• Management of compliance for the parent and related entities of the company including, but not limited to ASIC, ACNC, ATO, annual and other statutory reporting requirements as the Company Secretary/”officer” of each entity.
• Management of Board processes, Board and Committee papers, and circulation of agenda’s, minutes, discussion papers, and proposal for the Board.
• Appropriately discharging the constitutional requirements of the Board, including, but not limited to the management, member notification, and holding of special and annual general meetings.
• Ensuring the business of the Board and Committee meetings is accurately captured in the minutes.
• Helping to organise and facilitate the recruitment, election, induction, training, and professional development of Directors.
• Secretariat for all Board and Committee meetings, including Executive Support for the Governance Committee.
• Manage and maintain the necessary company registers, ensuring financial records are prepared, maintained, and reported on in line with the Act.
• Manage the policy register of the Board, including development, implementation, communication and maintenance of Board policies, procedures, and processes.
• Providing or obtaining advice for Directors and Executive regarding constitutional matters, corporation legislation, not-for-profit requirements, or other legal matters.
• To meet the requirements of an “officer” of the corporation under s9 of the Act, acting appropriately in discharging the same duties and obligations as Directors.
• Additional duties related to advisory and Executive project support/management as required.

Our ideal candidate will be proactive and demonstrate outstanding communication skills, organisation skills and have strengths in building and maintaining stakeholder relationships will be essential in collaborating with the Board and Executive Team, while exercising a high level of integrity and confidentiality.

Your application will be assessed against the below vital competencies:

• A well-developed understanding of best practice governance and compliance requirements to support the Chair and Board to fulfil their statutory obligations.
• Formal qualifications in governance from the Governance Institute of Australia and/or Australian Institute of Company Directors, or qualifications in law, or business will be highly regarded.
• Significant experience in managing the Board or company secretariat function of an organisation.
• Sound financial literacy, and an understanding of the role of Boards in audit/internal controls, risk management and strategic formulation.
• Industry and/or not-for-profit knowledge is desirable.
• Communication, organisation and stakeholder engagement.

Under the are-able COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, all staff must be vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide acceptable evidence of their vaccination status as a condition of employment.

The Feel-Good Parts

If you’ve read this far, you already know that are-able is a community-focused not-for-profit organisation, but what does that mean?

At are-able, the organisation's profits return to the communities we serve. We give back through the are-able Foundation, donations and sponsorships, we genuinely believe in supporting our community. Since the beginning of the are-able Foundation in 2004, we have given back over $1 million to various groups.

Are-able is also a values-driven organisation, led by the following values:

Integrity - Our clients trust us. We owe them honesty and transparency. Every person who comes to are-able deserves to be treated fairly and objectively. We’re accountable for our actions, and we follow through. 

Respect - Each person we work with is worthy and should be seen in a unique context. Diversity shows us new ways to build on a person’s strength. 

Empathy - Everyone experiences life differently. Relating to each other helps us understand someone else’s perspective so we can create solutions for individuals. We’re accountable for our actions and we follow through. 

Innovation - How can we make someone’s life better? Using new ideas can solve challenges of all sizes and levels. A little innovation might have a big impact for a client. 

Are-able supports an inclusive approach in the workplace and we strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, mature age workers, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTIQA+) people.

Visit our career page to Download a Position Description or contact Mark Koch | Director of Strategy & Growth | 0408 777 *** to learn more.