Board Chair (Voluntary) - Flexible Location

About Transgender Victoria  

Transgender Victoria (TGV) is Australia’s leading body for transgender, gender diverse and  non-binary (TGD) people. For 25 years, TGV has been a trusted, trans-led organisation  delivering vital community services, advocacy, training, and systems change across  Victoria and nationally.

TGV stands at a historic turning point. As demand for community support grows and public  attention intensifies, TGV’s role as a steady, credible, and community-anchored  organisation has never been more important. The organisation is strengthening its  governance, expanding its programs, and positioning itself for the next phase of  sustainable, trans-led leadership. 

TGV represents and elevates trans and gender diverse voices across community, health,  education, government, business, and civil society. Our work is grounded in lived  experience, community leadership, and the belief that all trans and gender diverse people  should have the opportunity to thrive. 

Purpose

To work for, with, and by transgender, gender diverse and non-binary communities to  achieve better social, economic and health outcomes.

Vision

Transgender, gender diverse and non-binary people are welcomed, valued and celebrated  as we thrive.  

Values

TGV’s four core values are the foundation of all governance, operational, and community facing work. They guide the behaviour of the Board, CEO, staff, volunteers and advisory bodies, and ensure TGV remains a safe, grounded, and community-led organisation. 

• Care - We care for community with compassion  
• Connect - We connect the dots between TGD people, our communities, and the organisations that support us.  
• Empower - We empower all TGD people, especially at our intersections and on  the margins.  
• Celebrate - We celebrate our diversity and living our best lives.

Role Purpose & Overview

The Board Chair is an office bearer and the primary leader of the TGV Committee, providing governance oversight, strategic stewardship, and leadership to ensure Transgender Victoria remains an effective, community-anchored, and sustainable organisation. Acting as the guardian of TGV’s purpose, the Chair leads Board governance and supports Directors in fulfilling their fiduciary and stewardship duties.

While the CEO and operational staff manage day-to-day operations, the Chair facilitates board discussions, monitors organisational performance, and fosters a collaborative environment that empowers trans, gender diverse, and non-binary people. Working in partnership with the CEO and fellow Directors, the Chair provides strategic guidance, ensuring the Board has the context and structure required to make informed decisions that advance TGV’s mission, values, and forward-looking strategic vision, while meeting all legal and ethical obligations.

The Chair’s core responsibilities include:

• Leading and facilitating Board meetings, ensuring open, constructive, and strategic discussions among Directors.
• Working closely with the CEO to align Board governance with operational strategy and monitoring organisational performance.
• Fostering a collaborative, inclusive Board environment that values diverse perspectives and trans-led leadership.
• Ensuring the Board meets its legal, statutory, and ethical obligations in line with TGV’s Constitution and governing policies.
• Serving as a key ambassador and spokesperson, representing TGV positively to sector partners, government bodies, and community stakeholders.
• Providing guidance and support on strategy, risk governance, organisational capability, and key decisions.
• Ensuring that Board leadership aligns with TGV’s values and supports responsible stewardship of community trust and resources.

The Chair also sits on the Transgender Victoria Executive Committee, contributing to fortnightly operational oversight through a governance lens.

Standard Board Criteria

1. Experience in leadership of a governance body - such as community groups, advisory groups, volunteer committees, or governance groups.
2. Ability to write and review Board papers, engage thoughtfully with information presented, and contribute constructively to discussions and decisions.
3. Expertise in one or more of not-for-profit governance, fiduciary, legal and/or ethical duties including ACNC and relevant state body requirements.
4. Ability to think beyond immediate issues, consider longer-term implications, and participate in discussions about organisational direction and priorities.
5. Awareness of organisational risk in a broad sense—financial, reputational, cultural, community and operational—and willingness to engage in risk governance with support from the Board and CEO.
6. Capacity to recognise when additional information, expertise or clarification is needed to make well-informed decisions.
7. Experience in not-for-profit finance, accounting, philanthropy, or community-sector resourcing.
8. Understanding of trans and gender diverse communities and the systemic issues affecting TGD people.
9. Ability to work respectfully and collaboratively with Directors, the CEO, community members and partners.
10. Ability to lead and contribute to a diverse Board through openness, curiosity and a willingness to learn.
11. Capacity to navigate complexity, offer practical insights, and support collaborative problem-solving.
12. Experience in representing an organisation/movement positively to governments, sector partners, researchers and community organisers.

Additional Criteria for the Board Chair Role

1. Demonstrated leadership and board facilitation skills, with the ability to chair meetings effectively, encourage diverse perspectives, and guide decision-making.
2. Strong strategic vision and governance capability, including an understanding of non-profit governance standards, legal obligations, and long-term organisational stewardship.
3. Proven capacity for executive partnership, working constructively with the CEO and Board members to align strategy and operational oversight.
4. Exceptional advocacy and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience representing community-led movements to sector leaders, government entities, and allied organisations.

Desirable Criteria

• Lived experience as a member of the TGD community, or a demonstrated history of supporting TGD communities.
• Lived experience as a First Nations and/or Zenadth Kes/Torres Strait Islander person, Person of Colour, Intersex, neurodivergent, or disabled person.
• Networks or relationships that may support TGV’s work across the LGBTQIA+ sector, government, community services or allied fields locally, nationally and/or internationally.
• Experience helping/leading the strengthening of governance, strategy or organisational capability.
• Qualifications such as those from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Centre for Social Impact, or another similar org will be looked on favourably.

Baseline Eligibility Requirements

• Must be aged 18+.
• Obtain a Working With Children Check.
• Eligibility to serve under relevant legislation governing incorporated associations and directors.
• Capacity to attend monthly Board meetings, fortnightly Executive Committee meetings and other required governance activities and community events (virtually and, on occasion, in person).
• Capacity to comply with TGV’s Constitution, Board Charter and governance policies.
• Commitment to TGV’s purpose, values, and community-led ethos.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a cover letter via EthicalJobs outlining why you’d like to join Transgender Victoria’s Board.

Key Contact: If you have any questions, please email Jacob Thomas at jacob@tgv.org.au using the subject line: Board Chair (Voluntary) - Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs.