As proud Melburnians, our staff, volunteers, and donors understand the significance of a cohesive society that places a high value on the health, wellbeing, and safety of both our citizens and their beloved pets.

With no routine government funding, the ongoing philanthropic support from the people of Melbourne enables us to continue to fulfil our goal of keeping pets with their people and benefiting from the human animal bond.

With the increased corporatisation of the veterinary market, we believe that there is an even greater need for access by all members of our community to a trusted for-purpose animal hospital and shelter.

Our state-of-the-art animal hospital in North Melbourne and new clinic and shelter in Campbellfield will enable us to help significantly more of our fellow Melburnians, particularly those who may be less fortunate. Our philosophy of helping eligible clients responsibly is enabled by our longstanding significant discounts and timely access to Good Shephard No-Interest-Loans. We now also offer access to our Compassionate Diagnostic Assistance Program that provides free diagnostic tests for eligible emergency cases. With access to the results of these tests, our motivated staff can work closely with clients to help them make better-informed decisions about their loved animals.

We also have missional community outreach programs, including Pet Therapy at Melbourne hospitals, aged care homes, and youth justice facilities that we want to sustainably grow.

The Role:

Lort Smith is seeking two new Directors with strong professional networks and specialist experience and expertise in Philanthropy and in People and Culture. These are voluntary Non Executive Director roles.

The Board’s primary responsibility is for the welfare and stewardship of Lort Smith by guiding and monitoring its business and affairs.

An important contribution for Directors is supporting our philanthropic efforts to responsibly and sustainably fund our work in keeping pets with their people.

The Directors represent and collectively oversee and appraise the strategies, business plans, budgets and major policies and the overall performance of Lort Smith:

• Setting the vision, mission, and strategic direction with management.
• Monitoring strategic, financial and program outcomes and the integrity of reporting, approving longer-term strategic plans, short term business plans and annual budgets and annual capital expenditure requirements.
• Establishing and reviewing the Delegations of Authority.
• Ensuring that effective external audits, risk management processes, internal control systems and compliance processes are in place to protect Lort Smith’s assets and revenue streams and to minimise the possibility of Lort Smith operating beyond legal requirements or beyond acceptable risk parameters.
• Monitoring compliance with all applicable statutory and regulatory standards.
• Monitoring the standards and ethical aspects of professional conduct.
• Ensuring that the policies of Lort Smith are relevant, effective, and contemporary.

Competencies and skills:

• Philanthropy/Fundraising
• People and Culture

Completion of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Company Directors Course or similar is expected.