Position Summary
The Australian Ballet is a not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee. The Board of Directors, appointed by company Membership at an Annual General Meeting, governs The Australian Ballet. The Board of Directors makes a number of appointments to assist it to carry out its functions.
The Company Secretary works closely with the Board of Directors and its sub committees, including the:
• Audit, Risk and Investment Committee, and
• People Committee.
The Company Secretary supports both The Australian Ballet and its subsidiaries, The Australian Ballet Centre Pty Ltd and The State Orchestra of Victoria.
This is an unpaid position.
Our Company
The Australian Ballet is one of the world’s leading national ballet companies and a globally recognised Australian major performing arts organisation. Each year the company presents upwards of 220 performances through its main stage seasons in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth along with public programs, special events, an extensive regional tour, a Children’s Ballet and Education programs and regular overseas tours.
The administration offices, production and music departments and rehearsal studios are location at The Australian Ballet Centre, 2 Kavanagh Street, Southbank, Victoria. The Company performs on a regular basis in the Arts Centre Melbourne, and Sydney Opera House as well as other interstate venues, via livestreaming and overseas.
Orchestra Victoria, (OV), provides pit services for ballet and opera in Victoria, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Australian Ballet. The Australian Ballet and Orchestra Victoria have an annual turnover of more than $70 million and employ over 265 staff.
Our Values
Ambition: We perform at our best: challenging ourselves and each other, thinking beyond conventional practice and striving to achieve excellence in everything we do.
Boldness: We act innovatively and embrace change with confidence and courage.
Inclusivity: We are deeply committed to cultivating and sustaining an organisation that is equitable, fair and inclusive. We embrace diversity both on and off stage and strive to be a company where all communities feel a sense of belonging.
Respect: We treat all people with dignity and create trusted and enduring relationships with customers, colleagues and communities.
Responsibility: We seek out new and better ways of doing things, act accountably and understand the importance of balancing artistic risk with strategic and commercial outcomes. We strive for environmental sustainability and are conscious of how we use our resources.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Work with the Board Chairs and Executive Director on Board and Committee meeting preparation, including agenda compilation, preparation of Board packs and material circulation.
• Responsible for the Board and Committee calendars.
• Minute Board and Committee meetings for timely circulation and work with the Executive Director on actions arising.
• Ensure Board and Committee compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and best practice corporate governance standards.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Prior experience in corporate governance, legal compliance, or company secretarial position.
• Australian Institute of Company Directors membership.
• Board software experience (Diligent) preferable.
• Understanding of corporate governance principles and practices.
• Well-developed administrative and organisational skills.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical skills.
Diversity and Inclusion
At The Australian Ballet, diversity and inclusion are integral to our mission to create an extraordinarily vibrant and successful company, and to present performances that represent Australian culture at its best. We believe that our workforce should reflect the rich diversity of the Australian community.
We embrace difference and diversity of identity, experience and thought, and we actively strive to create an inclusive workplace. By promoting these values, we aim to create a positive work experience that encourages a sense of belonging.