Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine

is now recruiting for

Company Secretary

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Healthy rural, remote and First Nations communities through excellence, social accountability and innovation.

Overview

About Us

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine Limited (ACRRM) is an accredited specialty medical college responsible for setting and maintaining professional standards for specialist general practitioners and rural generalists in Australia.

Nationally, ACRRM has more than 6,000 members, including Fellows, trainees and associate members, who live and work in rural, remote and First Nations communities across Australia. Members provide expert front line medical care in a diverse range of settings including general practices, hospitals, emergency departments, Aboriginal health services and other remote settings such as RFDS and the Australian Antarctic Division.

ACRRM’s core business is training and assessing specialist general practitioners for a rural generalist scope of practice, setting clinical standards for rural generalist practice; and support and advocacy services for rural, remote and First Nations communities and the health teams that serve them. Its vision is “Healthy rural, remote and First Nations communities through excellence, social accountability and innovation”.

The company’s headquarters is positioned in Brisbane, Queensland although the majority of staff work flexibly from state, regional or rural locations across the country. ACRRM offices are also located in Adelaide, Perth, Bunbury, Bendigo, Wodonga, Rockhampton, Townsville, Darwin and Wollongong.

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Our Vision

Healthy rural, remote and First Nations communities through excellence, social accountability and innovation.

Our Values

Optimism

〰️

Conviction

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Courage

〰️

Inclusiveness

〰️

Optimism 〰️ Conviction 〰️ Courage 〰️ Inclusiveness 〰️

We believe we can individually and collectively make a positive difference in the lives and wellbeing of others. We are curious, creative and constantly exploring new ways to achieve our goals. We celebrate success and share our ideas and experiences with others.
We have a deep understanding of our obligation and opportunity to deliver the best possible response to the priority health needs and challenges of our rural, remote and First Nations communities. We work with, for, and as members of, the communities we serve.

We are prepared to speak out, challenge the status quo and embrace change. We are champions, supporters, and guardians. We are comfortable with uncertainty. We humbly seek to understand our limits and to collaborate with others to ensure the best possible outcomes.
We are a friendly and welcoming Mob from across Australia and around the world, united by a shared vision. We take strength from our diversity and relationships. We listen, learn and care for each other with dignity and respect. We love to laugh and have fun, and to celebrate the joys in life and work.

Company Secretary

Overview of the Position

The Company Secretary’s role is to support an effective system of corporate governance for ACRRM’s Board and the Board’s committees. The position is accountable to the Board and performs the duties and responsibilities as required by the Corporations Act (CA), ACRRM’s Constitution, and any other relevant legislation or regulation. The position also provides advice on the current best practice corporate governance requirements and practices, directors’ duties under the law, reporting and disclosure obligations and proper meeting procedures. In exercising their responsibilities, the Company Secretary must:

discharge their duties with care and diligence
discharge their duties in good faith and for a proper purpose
not use their position improperly to gain an advantage for themselves or someone else, or to cause detriment to the Company; and
not improperly use information obtained by virtue of their position.

Role Profile

The ACRRM Board meets every second month face to face for up to one day (usually Brisbane) and online when required. The College AGM is held in alternating States/Territories in October each year. There are four standing committees of the Board which meet virtually up to six times each throughout the year:

Finance Audit and Risk Management
Nominations
People and Culture
Respectful Workplaces

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Competencies

With oversight and support from the Chair of the Board or other delegated Board member, the primary duties and responsibilities for the role are as follows.

Compliance Management

Lodge notices and reports with Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to meet legislative requirements, under agency provision.
Ensure necessary registers are established and properly maintained and ensure the Company’s financial records are maintained, and reports prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Act.
Ensure records of meetings of members, directors’ and board committees (Respectful Workplaces, Nominations, Finance Audit and Risk Management, People and Culture), are kept in compliance with good governance standards.
Ensure the Company complies with its statutory obligations ensuring requirements of Australian Securities and Investment Commission, ACNC, ATO and other company regulators are met.
Provide oversight, communication and maintenance of compliance policies, processes and procedures.

Management of Board Processes

Manage Board and committee processes, including supporting and liaising effectively with Chairs and the Chief Executive Officer on development of meeting agendas, workplans, coordination of papers, board/committee portal management.
Regular and timely reporting to the CEO on Board decisions and operational matters.
Provide governance expertise and advice to College Councils as requested.
Optimise use and provide oversight of the board/committee portal or other associated board management system, including keeping the documents within it up to date.
Coordinate and manage the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and any Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM), including distribution of notices, preparation of the Annual Report and Financial Statements, management of proxies and voting at the AGM and any resolutions presented at an EGM.
Ensure progress / implementation of actions are tabled at each meeting.
Attend Board and Board Committee meetings and ensure minutes are produced in an accurate, efficient and effective manner.
Attend other meetings as required in an ex-officio non-voting capacity

Governance Advice

Provide recommendations and advice on ACRRM governance policies in line with review cycles.
Monitor terms of appointment of directors and college councillors and initiate advice as appropriate to the People and Culture Committee, Respectful Workplaces, Finance Audit and Risk Committee, Nominations Committee and/or College council on upcoming recruitment needs.
Support the Board to ensure that new directors are properly inducted to their roles no later than the second meeting following appointment.
Advise the Board of legislative, policy and best-practice updates relevant to the operation of the company.
Advise the Board on good practice in corporate governance and emerging trends, i.e., giving guidance on the way it discharges its duties, runs meetings, makes decisions, and give advice on Board development that would strengthen the capacity of the Board to function effectively.
Support the Board to set and manage standards related to ethical and corporate behaviour.

- A relevant postgraduate qualification in Governance.
- Tertiary qualifications in Law, Administration, Business or Accounting would be highly desirable.
- Significant and strong track record of working as a Company Secretary for an ACNC registered public company limited by guarantee.
- Strong understanding of governance practices, trends and relevant regulator requirements.
- Successful track record of working effectively with Boards, committees and organisations to improve governance performance and practices.
- Demonstrated experience developing, implementing and adhering to a range of corporate policies, procedures and governance structures
- Experience in working in the medical, health, higher education and or member-based organisations would be highly desirable.
- Proficient technology and administration skills to enable self-sufficient and hybrid working arrangements.
- Excellent attention to detail, organisational planning and time management skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong relationships and foster positive culture.
- Capacity to work effectively, efficiently and respectfully with others.
- Ability and willingness to travel and attending meetings, including on weekends and afterhours if required.
- Strategic Leadership and Adaptability: Ability to think strategically, lead people and teams effectively, and rapidly adapt to changing environments and priorities.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate with all levels of management and stakeholders.
- Risk and Change Management: Proficiency in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks, coupled with experience in managing or supporting organisational change.
- Planning and Problem Solving: Strong analytical, problem-solving, and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and deliver high-quality outputs efficiently.
- Technology and Tools Proficiency: Experience with board portals and software applications, and ability to leverage technology for effective portfolio management and reporting.

How to Apply

Requirements

To be considered, please provide the following information in your online application, for the assessment of your suitability:

A short (no more than two pages) statement focusing on how you align with the core accountabilities outlined in the role statement below.
Your current CV highlighting your relevant experience, qualifications, and achievements.

If you need assistance with your application please reach out to us.

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