Non-Executive Board Director
Statutory and legal compliance applies
733 Warrigal Road, Oakleigh
Role
Accountable to
Location
Organisational overview
Commencing operations in 1950, OC Connections (formerly the Oakleigh Centre) is a highly regarded
provider of support and employment services in the southeast of Melbourne, providing a diverse
range of services to enhance the quality of life for adults with primarily an intellectual disability, and
their families. An integral part of the enhancement of the quality of life is the encouragement for
clients to achieve maximum independence as active members of the community.
OC Connections today provides services to over 500 adults in the areas of employment, recreation,
residential and day services. The organisation has a healthy balance sheet and is profitable; annual
revenues are $11 million and EBIT return approximately 1.5% (forecast FY14).
The organisation currently is undergoing significant change as a result of the sector wide structural
change being driven by the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and
changed community standards regarding the way people living with disabilities are supported.
OC Connections transformational challenges for the 2015-18 period are:
• a major development of the residential services and a review of the other core services
provided by OC Connections
• the transition to the NDIS which requires a significantly different business model and
operational approach than has been the tradition of the disabilities sector. The core driver for
transformation is the changed the funding model to be adopted under the NDIS which moves
from agency based block funding to a contestable marketplace requiring OC Connections to
become more commercial in its service delivery, marketing and operations.
Current board
Chairman
Mr Maurice Pitard: With more than 50 years’ experience in
the real estate and property industry, Maurice enjoys an
outstanding background in property portfolio analysis,
management and the acquisition and disposal of commercial,
industrial and residential properties.
Non-Executive Directors
Maurice is committed to ensuring the organisation’s ongoing
viability and financial independence. With a view to
maximising the organisation’s assets, Maurice believes
financial stability will not only provide peace of mind for
clients and their families, but also enable ongoing upgrades
to facilities and increased opportunity for improved services
and programs.
Mr Peter Willcocks, Vice President: A highly experienced
business advisor and legal practitioner, peter is a consultant
with the legal firm, lander & rogers, which has offices in
Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, having previously been a
corporate partner there for almost eighteen years.
Throughout his 40 years in practice, peter has taken on a
OC Connections: Board position description
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broad range of corporate roles, including having been
company secretary and general counsel for an asx-listed
biotechnology company.
He is also a director of a company which manufactures and
sells safety products globally. Peter uses his extensive skills in
helping oc connections be a pre-eminent service provider to
people with intellectual disabilities under the National
Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Mr Mark Toohey, Treasurer: Mark’s extensive experience in
finance, strategic planning and change management is
supported by more than 26 years as an internationally
experienced, commercial executive director and chief
financial officer. He has a strong track record of enhancing
shareholder returns and managing businesses through rapid
growth, joint ventures and dispositions.
Mark is keen to see OC Connections continue to strengthen
financially, placing it in an optimum position to provide
valuable support for clients and their families. He is also keen
to support the Centre as it transitions through many future
sector changes, including the introduction of the National
Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Mark is also a Board
Member of State Trustees.
Mr Tony McAvaney: Tony has contributed as a non-executive
director at OC Connections for the past 4 years and brings a
wealth of knowledge and guidance in general governance
and more specifically in regards to Business Management.
A qualified engineer and economist with diverse corporate
experience, Tony has a long and personal history with OC
Connections, originally joining as a volunteer (his late sisterin-law was supported by the organisation).
With proven commercial and business acumen, Tony’s
experience includes project management, business reengineering, acquisitions and mergers, de-mergers, change
management and leadership. Tony is a Member of Australian
Institute of Company Directors and currently holds
directorships with First Option Credit Union Ltd and the Gus
Theobald Foundation.
Ms Emma Liepa: With experience working across private,
public and government sectors, and with particular expertise
in healthcare and research environments, Emma Liepa is an
accomplished leader who has centred her career working in
organisations and on initiatives that positively impact society.
OC Connections: Board position description
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As the Head of Commercial Operations and Stakeholder
Relations at the Australian Synchrotron, Emma is responsible
for a diverse portfolio including industry access and
engagement, key stakeholder and government relations, and
leading programs ranging from integration of the
organisation into a Federal Government agency to a $100m
capital fundraising program. She has strong strategic acumen
and analytical skill and extensive expertise in
communications, stakeholder relations, strategic planning
and issues management in high-profile, complex, multistakeholder environments. Emma holds a Bachelor of Arts
(Professional Communication) from RMIT and is a member of
the Institute of Company Directors.
Mr Michael Boyce: Michael brings to OC Connections strong
leadership experience in a wide range of services including
health, information technology, banking, insurance, retail
and petroleum. With positions that range from Managing
Director/CEO to line management roles, michael’s leadership
skills have been gained in both public and private companies,
specifically those undergoing significant change.
Michael’s vision for OC Connections is to ensure that
‘whatever we do, we contribute in a meaningful way towards
participants and their caregivers realising their aspirations
and enjoying life’.
Mr David Admans: With an outstanding career that spans
more than 40 years, David brings a broad range of experience
to OC Connections, which includes strategic business
planning, business development, corporate advisory work,
policy development and implementation, project and
contract management, complex financial modelling and
business analysis.
His roles have spanned the public, government, community
and private sectors and have included specialist roles with
consulting firms and technology-based businesses.
David looks forward to supporting the organisation and its
staff as they transition to the new National Disability
Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and to ensure both are recognised
as leaders in providing quality services that support people
living with intellectual disability, and their families to live
independent, fulfilling and active lives.
Mr Alan Bergman: Alan brings more than 50 years’
experience in business, primarily in the automotive sector as
well as broad experience in finance, human resources,
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occupational health and safety, IT, recruitment and training.
As a parent of an intellectually disabled supported adult who
attends OC Connections, Alan also brings a personal
perspective to the Board.
Alan possesses a good working knowledge and
understanding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme
(NDIS), as well as solid understanding of DHS standards and
audit compliance obligations and the Victorian Disability and
Privacy acts.
The role:
The Board of OC Connections is seeking a new director to help guide the organisation as it
transforms to become a provider of choice to people living with disability, with a focus on people
with intellectual disability. With a revitalised strategic direction, an exciting opportunity presents
itself for a suitably qualified individual to join the Board as it prepares for the introduction and
implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The availability of the role is a
result of the board’s focus on diversity and a shift in skill-set requirement.
The role requires attendance at six board meetings, the annual general meeting and serving on at
least one board sub-committee per year. In addition, it may be necessary to participate in
conference calls and/or additional meetings.
As an independent member of the Board and in collaboration with the other Directors, the purpose
of the position is to ensure the good governance of the organisation by:
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providing oversight of processes that are necessary to enhance the overall performance
of OC Connections
ensuring that governance processes provide reassurance to members and stakeholders
of the integrity and effectiveness of OC Connections
making a contribution that enhances OC Connections reputation through the
accountability of the Board and the transparency of its decision-making processes.
understanding and managing organisational risks and ensuring that OC Connections has
the range of systems to appropriately manage risk and ensuring policies, procedures and
reporting processes are in place and adhered to
understanding and meeting the legal requirements of the entity
fulfilling duties in relation to finance by ensuring that OC Connections maintains proper
books and records that accurately explain its transactions, financial position and
performance and enable preparation of true and fair financial statements
monitoring the performance of OC Connections against its strategic plans, budget and
annual business planning process to evaluate whether the business is being properly
managed
ensuring there are adequate internal controls and ethical standards of behaviour
ensuring OC Connections provides a safe and healthy working environment, compliant
accommodation, activities and facilities and a safe environment.
providing strategic leadership to the organisation to ensure its business objectives
achieve the strategic vision and mission to generate sustainable profit growth
setting the corporate vision and mission and strategic objectives so that OC Connections
provides value for its clients, their families, carers, funding agencies and other key
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stakeholders.
Parameters
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The cultivation of strong and sound relationships with OC Connections members and
stakeholders
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Recognising and demonstrating the personal accountability required by the Board and
other Board Members for the decisions of the Board and the performance of the
organisation
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Ensuring that there are sound processes to enable the Board to appoint appropriately
qualified and committed people to OC Connections Board by:
o keeping the board informed as to your own qualifications and commitment to the
organisation, including being open and honest about any personal issues that may
impact on capacity to serve as a Director
o participate in the recruitment processes by assisting in identifying suitable
candidates for any vacancies
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Bringing to the board a high level of competency in a range of areas relevant to OC
Connections
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Developing and maintaining an understanding of the role of the board, as distinct from
the role of executive management, and the expectations of the broader community of
interest in which OC Connections operates
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A commitment to ensuring a strong, robust, timely and reliable reporting system from
management to the board.
Competencies – role related:
Essential
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Sector knowledge: experience within the disability sector with a contemporary outlook
and approach, a strong understanding of the NDIS and its implications, a good
understanding of sector stakeholders
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Sound knowledge of corporate governance and a director’s responsibilities: understand
the role of a director as well as the role’s ethical, legal, financial and fiduciary
responsibilities and act in accordance with OC Connections constitutional objectives and
its strategic and business plans
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Strategic expertise: the ability to review strategy through constructive questioning and
suggestion and contribute to the effective decision-making of the board
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Financial literacy: the ability to read and comprehend accounts, financial material and to
understand reporting requirements
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Legal: understanding relevant laws and individual director’s legal duties and
responsibilities
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Risk management: experience in managing areas of major risk
Desirable
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Geographical and community-based service knowledge: knowledge of the stakeholder
and community environment in Melbourne’s south-eastern corridor
Competencies – personal:
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Integrity: act in good faith and an ethical manner, observe duty of care to the
organisation and place the organisation’s interests ahead of personal interest
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Emotional intelligence: good self-awareness and self-management, ability to listen, work
well in a group, ability to be tactful candid and cogent
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Commercial judgement and instinct: good business acumen and ability to synthesize
complex information
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An active contributor with a genuine interest in OC Connections and the disability sector
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Ability to contribute to creating a diverse board.
Qualifications:
Essential: Qualifications relevant to your role as director
Desirable: GAICD
Terms and conditions of appointment
Directors are appointed in accordance to OC Connections Inc. constitution for a three year period.
(Refer Appendix 1: Rules of OC Connections Incorporated - Section 20, Clause 1)
Remuneration and benefits
Annual remuneration:
Travel and other expenses:
Other:
OC Connections: Board position description
N/A
N/A
Support for professional development will be
provided.
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