Independent Board Director (Voluntary)

• Hawthorn, Victoria
• Voluntary Position
• Part-time Commitment

About Rossbourne School

Rossbourne School is a specialist independent school in Victoria dedicated to supporting young people with learning difficulties and neurodiversity to discover their strengths, build confidence, and reach their potential. Our students thrive in an environment that sees their difference as an asset and our School Board exists to ensure that vision endures.

We are seeking an Independent Director to join our Board and contribute to the strategic leadership and governance of a school doing genuinely important work.

The Opportunity

This is a voluntary, part-time governance role suited to someone who brings professional expertise and personal commitment to the education and inclusion of neurodiverse learners. As an Independent Director, you will work alongside a collegial and values-driven Board to provide oversight, strategic guidance, and principled decision-making in service of our students, families, and community.

You will attend approximately eight Board meetings per year, with the possibility of participating in a sub-committee aligned with your area of expertise. The time commitment is manageable and the impact is meaningful.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking a candidate who brings one or more of the following:

Finance - Professional experience in financial management, accounting, audit, or corporate finance, with the ability to engage with budgets, financial reporting, and long-term financial sustainability planning.

Legal - Expertise in corporate law, employment law, governance, risk management, or regulatory compliance relevant to the not-for-profit or education sector.

School Governance - Prior experience as a board or council member of an independent, Catholic, government, or specialist school, with an understanding of the Australian regulatory and curriculum landscape.

Lived Experience - Personal experience as a parent, carer, or family member of a young person with a disability, learning difficulty, or neurodivergent profile, who can bring authentic insight to the Board's work and advocate for the families we serve.

You Will Bring

• A genuine commitment to inclusive education and the wellbeing of neurodiverse young people
• Sound judgement, integrity, and a collaborative approach to governance
• The capacity to engage constructively with strategy, risk, and accountability
• Availability to attend Board meetings and contribute thoughtfully between meetings
• An understanding of, or willingness to develop knowledge of, the AISV governance framework and Victoria's Child Safe Standards

Why Join Our Board?

• Contribute to an organisation with genuine social purpose
• Work with a committed board of directors.
• Develop your governance experience in a specialist and growing sector
• Be part of a community that genuinely changes the trajectory of young lives

This position is open to candidates across greater Melbourne. Induction support and relevant governance training will be provided.

next steps

If you have any enquiries, please reach out to: Chair, Board of Directors — Rossbourne School: [email protected] using the subject line: Independent Board Director (Voluntary) enquiry via EthicalJobs.

To submit your application, please click 'Apply Now' by the closing date.

A position description is attached.