Board Director - headspace

Board Director – headspace

• Help shape the future of youth mental health through national Board leadership
• Bring more than governance credentials - bring purpose, perspective and genuine connection
• Contribute to a highly respected national organisation, with future Chair succession potential

About headspace

headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation is a national organisation dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of young people across Australia. Through its national network, partnerships, advocacy and sector leadership, headspace delivers programs and services to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people and communities.

As the national organisation, headspace National operates within a complex operating environment spanning mental health, primary care, community and vocational support services, government, research and diverse communities across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australia. The organisation delivers a range of national programs through headspace centres, schools, universities, and online such as eheadspace, telepsychiatry and Work and Study Online. Central to its approach is an understanding that young people’s experiences are shaped by identity, culture, community, geography and broader social circumstances.

headspace has many expansion plans over the next three years with 56 new or expanded services and an exciting digital roadmap to reach more young people experiencing a difficult time. The organisation has a deep commitment to the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and is guided by a First Nations led cultural strategy and cultural governance.

About the Roles

headspace is seeking to appoint two experienced Non-Executive Directors who bring strong Board capability and, importantly, a compelling connection to headspace’s purpose, young people and the communities it serves. Both appointments will contribute across the full Board agenda and support longer-term Board renewal and potential Chair succession.

Board Director

This appointment is an opportunity to bring a distinctive and contemporary voice to the headspace Board. The successful Director will bring genuine connection, insight and credibility with young people and one or more communities or issues shaping their lives today, together with the judgement and governance maturity to contribute across the full Board agenda.

That connection may come through lived experience, community leadership or professional experience across areas such as First Nations, LGBTQIA+, multicultural or multifaith communities, young men, disadvantage, homelessness, AOD, family violence, disability, or regional and remote Australia. The Director is not expected to represent any particular community, but to bring authentic, contemporary insight grounded in genuine connection.

About You

Your Board CV matters. But your reason for wanting to join headspace matters more. You will bring the judgement, curiosity and governance maturity expected of a national Director, together with a genuine and contemporary connection to headspace’s purpose, young people and the communities it serves.

You will listen well, challenge constructively and contribute beyond your particular area of expertise. Your credibility may come through lived experience, community connection, professional leadership or a combination of these - but it will be authentic and relevant.

Across both appointments, we are looking for a clear and compelling answer to: Why headspace? Why this Board? Why now?

How to Apply

Interested applicants are invited to submit:

• A current curriculum vitae
• A brief cover letter outlining your interest in the appointment and, importantly, why headspace and why now

We encourage applicants to go beyond Board and professional credentials and tell us what connects you to headspace, young people and the communities it serves. We are interested in your motivation, perspective and the contribution you believe you can genuinely make to the Board.

Organisational Requirements

Successful candidates will be required to hold or obtain:

• A valid Working with Children Check
• A current National Police Check
• Australian Citizenship, Permanent Residency or a valid Australian work permit/visa

Hazel Executive & Boards is pleased to be partnering with headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation on the search and appointment of two Non-Executive Directors: Board Director and Chair, Finance & Audit Committee. All direct and third-party applications will be forwarded to Hazel.

Hazel acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work and pays respect to Elders past and present. Hazel is committed to equal opportunity and to championing diversity, inclusion, belonging, flexibility and accessibility in all Board and executive appointments. If you require any adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know so we can support you.

To review the Candidate Briefing Pack – please download via this link

Please apply via the www.hazelexecutive.com.au application portal

For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Jodi Heath, Partner

0459 997 007

Jarrod McLauchlan, Managing Partner

0407 808 517