Looking for non-executive director positions?
Tips and guidance to IoDSA members on positioning themselves and applying for
non-executive director vacancies.
1
Obtaining the necessary knowledge and skills
The IoDSA Director Competency FrameworkTM (DCF) contains 20 competences that
epitomise the competent director. All IoDSA offerings are aligned to the DCF and we are
therefore continuously striving to deliver relevant interventions – training, events, mentoring,
assessment and certifications - that equip directors with the necessary knowledge and insights
required to fulfil their duties and to appreciate the importance of good corporate governance.
For further information on IoDSA Director Development offerings, refer to
http://www.iodsa.co.za/?page=DirectorDevelopment
In particular, the Being a DirectorTM Series (Part 1 – 4) is aimed at equipping the aspiring
director with the broad technical knowledge required of a director (i.e. the functional
competencies of the DCF), including:
 Corporate governance frameworks
 Roles and responsibilities of key role players in corporate governance
 Risk and strategy
 Performance and sustainability
 Integrated reporting and combined assurance
 Effective boards and adding value
With regards to the social and personal competencies of the DCF, the IoDSA offers:
 The Board Simulation Programme, which is aimed at offering potential directors an
opportunity to benchmark their ability in the board room whilst interacting with others.
 Mentoring Circles provide the opportunity for less experienced directors to engage with
seasoned directors and experts in different areas of corporate governance.
 The IoDSA Leadership Development Programme provides insight into the leadership role
of the director in setting strategy for the business.
2
Making your CV board ready
A Board Ready CV is unique in terms of tone, content and structure and can make the
difference between a success application and an unsuccessful one.
For some tips on making your CV board ready, see below links:
 http://www.ehow.com/how_5876184_write-resume-nomination-board-directors.html
 http://www.thetalentadvisors.com/board-director-cv-resume-ned-skills-templatenomination-application-boardready-boardroom/a-list-executives/
 http://www.championboards.com/xpdf/D&B_Board_Resume_Article.pdf
 http://www.womenonboards.co.uk/resource-centre/selected-reading/articles/boardcv.htm
 http://women2boards.com/is-your-board-cv-ready-for-prime-time/
3
Building your personal brand
Networking is an essential tool in building your personal brand and profiling yourself for board
positions.
All IoDSA events provide the opportunity for networking with peers, colleagues, decisionmakers and experienced board members. More specifically, the IoDSA offers business speed
networking sessions. Keep an eye on your emails for invitations to book for these.
Some networking tips:
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Have your elevator pitch ready and mention what you would like to achieve or learn
Listen as well as talk
Even if the work of the person you are speaking with does not directly relate to your
interest, they might know someone who does
If you do not know of the other persons prior industry or organisation, then ask them to
clarify, otherwise you may miss an opportunity
Take notes (and don’t be offended if you see someone writing on the back of your business
card, this practice can be very good for jogging the memory)
Exchange business cards
If you know you want to speak with a particular person again, arrange to follow up with an
email or telephone call to ensure they remember you
In addition to networking events, consideration should also be given to becoming more visibly
engaged on IoDSA social media channels and other IoDSA initiatives.
4
Vacancies
EXTERNAL
CHANNEL
External search
firms
IoDSA CHANNEL 1
IoDSA CHANNEL 2
Name
IoDSA Vacancy
notifications
IoDSA CV searches
Description
Board vacancy
notifications emailed
to IoDSA membership
database. 4/5
advertised positions
are filled by IoDSA
members
Allows for companies
to request for the
IoDSA to perform a
confidential search of
the IoDSA
membership CV
portal for nonexecutive candidates
Some external search
firms do recruitments
for board positions,
including:
Odgers Berndtson
Heidrick & Struggles
Action required
Monitor IoDSA emails
for vacancy
notifications and
respond accordingly
Update CV on IoDSA
website
Contact external
search firm
5
Interviews
It is vitally important to make a good first impression at an interview with a Nominations
Committee. In person interviews usually yield better results than electronic communications.
Preparation and knowledge of the company are critical.
For some tips on preparing for a board interview, see below links:
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http://www.womenonboards.co.uk/resource-centre/selectedreading/articles/preparing-for-a-board-interview.htm
http://getonboardaustralia.com.au/wp/questions-to-ask-at-a-board-interview/
6
If you are short-listed
It is very important to be present at the AGM at which the position will be voted for. Some
responsible lobbying beforehand may be appropriate, depending on the circumstances.
If you know of shareholders/members who would vote for you, but are unable to attend the
AGM, requesting their proxy vote may be a good idea.
7
Acceptance
From a prospective non-executive director’s perspective, it is imperative that prior to accepting
an appointment, he/she should undertake his/her own thorough examination of the company to
satisfy himself/herself that it is a company in which he/she can have faith and in which he/she
will be well suited to serving.
In terms of the Companies Act, 2008, a person becomes entitled to serve as a director of a
company when that person has been appointed or elected in accordance with the Act and has
delivered to the company a written consent to serve as its director. In considering whether to
consent to serve on a board, there are a number of critical matters that a potential director
should take into account.
Refer to Annexure B, Section 1 of the CGN paper on Director due diligence for specific
guidance on what to consider.
http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.iodsa.co.za/resource/collection/05E93ACB-10BE-4507-9601307A66F34BD8/IoD_Due_Diligence_Brochure.pdf
8
Induction
Subsequent to being appointed as a director, there are further matters that a director would
consider in order to familiarise himself/herself with the company. Refer to Annexure B, Section
2 of the CGN paper on Director due diligence for specific guidance on what to consider.
http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.iodsa.co.za/resource/collection/05E93ACB-10BE-4507-9601307A66F34BD8/IoD_Due_Diligence_Brochure.pdf