CHAIR OF THE BOARD, VITS LANGUAGELOOP

• Govern a unique services organisation
• Reduce barriers to participation
• Help communities feel more connected

About the organisation
The Victorian Interpreting and Translating Service (VITS) LanguageLoop is a Victorian Government-owned language services provider and a state business corporation. With a 40-year history of delivering high-quality interpreting and translation services, VITS LanguageLoop offers a network of over 3,600 professional interpreters who speak over 190 languages. VITS LanguageLoop is committed to supporting and promoting equal participation and access for people with limited English proficiency. Through its comprehensive interpreting services including on-site, telephone, and video conferencing, as well as written translations, VITS LanguageLoop helps businesses and government bodies connect with multicultural communities throughout Australia.

About the role
The Chairperson leads the Board in governing the organisation, offering sound advice to guide its strategic direction and ensure financial sustainability. With a steadfast commitment to integrity, professionalism, and continuous improvement, the Chairperson's responsibilities encompass shaping organisational priorities, enhancing engagement, overseeing governance and risk management, making strategic commercial decisions, and evaluating the organisation's performance. Additionally, the role involves expert facilitation and oversight of Board deliberations and decisions. Significant preparation, consultation, and collaboration with the CEO and Board members outside the formal pre-set meeting schedule are essential. The Chairperson must employ a broad range of skills to elicit diverse perspectives from the Board, thereby informing governance and commercial decision-making for the organisation.

About you
You are a multilingual professional with a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of language services, educational programs, or similar commercial service provision in diverse cultural settings. With a proven track record as a Board Chair or in a similar governance leadership role within the broader public sector, you exhibit strategic, analytical, and commercial acumen. Your alignment with public sector values is essential, particularly in maintaining impartiality and ensuring that decisions and actions are carried out with the highest integrity. An understanding of public sector administration and governance is highly regarded, particularly within the context of language or human services with a focus on customer centricity. As a Chair, you are recognised for steering groups towards effective decision-making in a respectful and collaborative manner. You are adept at enabling others to share their lived experiences and specialist knowledge, while working proactively with all stakeholders and synthesising complex information into useful chunks.  You are passionate about fostering an Australian society where diversity is valued and language is not a barrier to full and equal participation for all.

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government boards and committees reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community.  Applications are encouraged from people of all ages (subject to any statutory limits), Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from LGBTIQA+ people.

How to apply
For more information and requirements, see the information website. You must address the headings set out in the Candidate Pack in your CV and complete the Application Form. Direct and third-party applications will be forwarded to SHK. Closes 30 September 2024.