Express an Interest

Targeting:
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander, Lived and Living Experience

Non-Executive Directors x 3 

We lead with Hope. We uphold Integrity. We drive Change 

Blue Knot Foundation (Blue Knot) is seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified and experienced candidates to fill three Non-Executive Director vacancies on its Board. These are currently voluntary positions.  

Blue Knot is Australia’s National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma. It is a leading national for-purpose organisation committed to empowering people with experiences of complex trauma (repeated violence, abuse or neglect) to recover – more than 5 million adult Australians are affected. Blue Knot is also a founding member of the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse, alongside The Healing Foundation and Australian Childhood Foundation.  

Blue Knot helps survivors heal through its trauma phone counselling services, educational workshops and extensive resources. It also delivers training, practice, supervision and trauma-informed organisational change services nationally to foster new pathways to recovery. Find out more at www.blueknot.org.au  

Blue Knot Board  

Blue Knot is committed to a strong, effective and collaborative Board focused on governance excellence, strategic oversight and delivering maximum impact for the people and communities we serve. Our directors are expected to bring independent judgement, constructive challenge and diverse perspectives, while working collectively and respectfully in the best interests of Blue Knot.  

We are seeking directors who will actively contribute to Board and committee discussions, engage thoughtfully with management while maintaining a clear distinction between governance and operations, and share accountability for Blue Knot’s strategy, performance, risk management and long-term sustainability.  

Directors are also expected to be active ambassadors for Blue Knot, using their experience, influence and networks where appropriate to strengthen our profile, partnerships and opportunities for financial and in-kind support.  

For these appointments, we are particularly seeking candidates with significant experience in one of three areas: a clinical or lived-experience perspective on complex trauma; marketing, brand and fundraising; or digital, technology and AI/cyber risk.  

All directors are expected to have sufficient financial acumen to understand Blue Knot’s financial position and performance and fulfil their fiduciary responsibilities or be willing to undertake appropriate development where required.  

What We’re Looking For  

These three appointments are intended to build the Board's collective capability across three broad areas. We are looking for strong directors with genuine depth in one or more of the following;  

• Clinical and complex trauma expertise – senior clinical, practice or service-system expertise relevant to complex trauma, with the ability to bring this perspective to strategy, clinical governance, risk and quality decisions at Board level.  

• Marketing, brand and fundraising – a track record of driving revenue and funding outcomes through marketing, brand positioning, fundraising or partnerships, ideally with exposure to the not-for-profit or health sector.  

• Digital, technology and AI/cyber risk – senior technology leadership with governance-level fluency in digital strategy and cybersecurity risk, able to pressure-test strategy and hold executives to account rather than build or run the technology.  

Across these appointments, we are seeking to strengthen the diversity of experience and perspectives represented on the Board.  

We recognise the value that lived and living experience can bring to governance, including deeper insight into the experiences of people and communities affected by complex trauma and the systems intended to support them. We welcome candidates who bring lived and living experience perspectives alongside the professional, governance and strategic capabilities required of a director.  

We are also seeking to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation within Blue Knot's governance and particularly welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates. Across all three areas, we value:  

• Curiosity, sound judgement and the confidence to constructively challenge and contribute to Board debate.  

• Prior board or senior governance experience (preferred, not essential).  

• AICD (or equivalent) governance qualifications (preferred, not essential).  

• Strong corporate governance capability and high-level strategic thinking.  

• Philanthropy, fundraising, or corporate/community networks that can help Blue Knot secure funding and partnerships.  

• No competing commercial interest in trauma training, consulting or fundraising activities that would conflict with Blue Knot's.  

Meeting Commitments 

The Board meets a minimum of 6 times during the year, currently remotely on Mondays, 4–6pm AEST/AEDT, and directors are expected to read all relevant material in preparation to actively engage in discussions and make informed contributions to the Board’s collective decisions. There is the potential for one or two face-to-face meetings a year in Sydney for strategic planning purposes, with all expenses covered by the organisation.  

Each successful director would be expected to contribute to a relevant Board committee (which generally meets six times a year), and to responsibly represent Blue Knot to their respective communities, advocating for Blue Knot’s purpose, programs and services as appropriate.  

Board terms last for a maximum of 6 years as per Blue Knot’s Constitution. 

Application Information 

To submit your Expression of Interest, please forward your CV and a cover letter outlining your credentials and the area(s) of expertise you would bring, to secretary@blueknot.org.au by 15th October 2026.  

Interviews will be offered to shortlisted candidates as applications are received.  

Blue Knot may request further information and documents from candidates who are contacted for interviews.