Non-Executive Directors x 2

Use your governance skills and experience to support positive environmental action.  

Planet Ark is seeking to appoint two new non-executive directors to its Board. 

NB: To submit an Expression of Interest, please respond to the Skills and Competencies below, with examples from your experience, and send with your CV to hr@planetark.org by COB Friday 10 December 2021. 

Established in 1992, Planet Ark is a not-for-profit organisation that helps individuals, communities, governments, and businesses reduce their impact on the environment. Planet Ark is one of Australia’s leading environmental behaviour change organisations, with a focus on working collaboratively and positively. 

Planet Ark’s vision is: A world where people thrive in balance with nature. 

 To achieve its vision Planet Ark believes: 

• The world must transition to a carbon neutral and circular economy   

• Planet Ark will help the transition in Australia by fostering collaboration between governments, businesses, communities and individuals  

• Connecting people with nature is essential for human and planetary wellbeing  

• Our decisions will be based on evidence  

• We will work to maintain and build trust in our brand  

• We will work with all parties who are focussed on practical and achievable solutions   

• We will foster diversity and inclusion in the way we act 

• We will remain non-political and non-confrontational 

Planet Ark is financially sound with a strong Board and Executive leadership. The organisation has an annual turnover of approximately AUD$4 million, with a staffing complement of around 32 people (full time equivalent), including co-CEOs Paul Klymenko and Rebecca Gilling. The organisation is based in Sydney, with key colleagues in Brisbane, Melbourne, regional NSW and Indonesia.  

There are currently 6 independent non-executive directors, plus the co-CEOs. The new appointments will bring Board membership to 10. 

The Board actively encourages applications from all Australian jurisdictions. 

CURRENT BOARD MEMBERSHIP 

The current chair of Planet Ark Environmental Foundation is Michael Coleman, and the Deputy Chair is Lyndell Fraser.  The other directors are: David Burt, Andrew Johnson, Howard Parry-Husbands, Gillian Turner, Rebecca Gilling and Paul Klymenko.  

THE ROLE  

As a non-executive director of Planet Ark you will need to have the time and commitment to attend approximately 6 bi-monthly Board meetings and serve on at least one Board committee. Planet Ark currently has two standing committees, Risk & Audit Committee, and Succession & Nomination Committee. Board committees usually meet up to 4 times per year, as agreed by the committee. Board meetings are during business hours, for 3 to 4 hours and may be attended virtually. Board Committee meetings are scheduled for 1 to 2 hours. 

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS 

Successful appointees will be graduates of the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ (AICD) Foundations of Directorship or equivalent course.They will possess the skills and knowledge required to fulfill the legal, ethical, fiduciary and financial responsibilities of a director, demonstrate a sound understanding of risk management, and the ability to operate at a strategic level.  

Successful appointees will have integrity, a collaborative style of working with peers and colleagues, the curiosity and ability to ask effective questions and participate in robust discussion as necessary, and sound commercial judgment and instinct. Directors are expected to demonstrate and promote diversity and inclusion in their interactions with others. 

While we are seeking to appoint directors with a broad base of business and organisational experience, we would like to include in these new appointments candidates who can bring experience in one or more of the following areas:  

• Fund-raising and networking particularly with access to C-suite individuals 

• Science and research with a focus on renewable energy, circular economy, sustainability and/or climate change 

• High-level government and public sector relations  

• Strategic brand management 

• Communications 

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS 

Non-executive directors of Planet Ark serve pro bono and do not receive any remuneration. By agreement, Planet Ark will reimburse directors for their cost of travel to attend Board or committee meetings. This includes travel costs of an interstate director. 

FURTHER INFORMATION  

For further information on Planet Ark, its activities and people, please go to: https://planetark.org/