About the role – Full-time, Permanent
The Line 1 Risk & Compliance team partners with business leaders across the Operations and Finance & Data divisions to ensure risk is proactively identified, managed and embedded into everyday decision-making. With a strong focus on collaboration, continuous improvement and building risk capability, the team plays a critical role in strengthening operational resilience, supporting regulatory obligations and driving a culture where risk management adds real business value.
Key responsibilities include:
- Shape and influence risk culture by championing best-practice risk management, embedding risk ownership and uplifting capability across Operations and Finance & Data.
- Partner with senior executives , including the COO, CFO and business leaders, to ensure risk appetite, emerging risks and strategic priorities inform business decisions.
- Lead strategic risk initiatives spanning regulatory change, transformation programs, risk appetite implementation and enterprise-wide capability uplift.
- Drive proactive risk management by identifying emerging risks, strengthening control environments and providing insightful reporting to governance forums.
- Coach and influence leaders to build strong Line 1 risk ownership through practical guidance, frameworks, training and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support enterprise resilience by partnering across Line 1, Line 2 Risk, Internal Audit and business stakeholders to deliver consistent, value-adding risk management outcomes.
About you
Reporting to the Head of Risk & Compliance (Operations & Finance), this is a strategic leadership opportunity to embed a strong risk culture, uplift enterprise risk capability and influence decision-making at the highest levels. Working closely with senior executives, including the COO and CFO, you'll lead initiatives that strengthen risk maturity, drive transformation and ensure risk appetite is meaningfully embedded into business strategy and operations.
The successful candidate will demonstrate the following:
- Demonstrated experience (7-10 years) in Line 1 Risk, Compliance or Audit within financial services, with proven leadership capability.
- Strong understanding of operational risk frameworks, risk appetite, control environments, RCSA, KRIs, incidents and assurance activities, with the ability to embed these into business decision-making.
- Proven ability to build trusted relationships and influence senior stakeholders, including executives, governance forums, Line 2 Risk and Internal Audit.
- Experience leading strategic risk initiatives, including regulatory change, transformation programs and continuous improvement of risk maturity.
- Skilled at translating complex risk concepts into practical, value-adding business solutions and influencing positive outcomes.
Comfortable operating in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, with the agility to manage ambiguity, balance strategic priorities and provide hands-on support when required.
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Location
This position can be based in Adelaide or Brisbane or Toowoomba.
Why you’ll love working with us:
People First Bank – our new brand – says exactly what we’re all about: people. We're committed to supporting and growing our team and creating an outstanding work environment.
You’ll have access to financial and lifestyle benefits to support your success and individuality:
- Flexibility and hybrid working arrangements.
- Enhance your salary with discounts on banking, health insurance, and shopping across Australia.
- Advance your career with training, study support, and project opportunities.
- Competitive leave benefits that empower employees to take time for themselves and loved ones.
- Wellbeing support with our Employee Assistance Program, wellbeing leave, mental health app, and mental health ambassadors’ program.
- Make a difference with paid volunteering, Workplace Giving, and diverse community initiatives.
Be recognised for your contributions through our peer-driven recognition program.
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A bit about People First Bank:
In March 2023, People’s Choice and Heritage Bank merged to form Heritage and People’s Choice Limited - Australia's leading mutual bank. We are now on an exciting journey to bring together our products, services, and technology under a single brand - People First Bank.
We have over 700,000 members and 1,900 employees, with dual head offices in Adelaide and Toowoomba, an Australian-based contract centre and branches across five states.
With a vision ‘To deliver positive change through banking’, People First Bank serves members and contributes to the community, while offering an inclusive, flexible work environment. We’re big enough to make an impact; but agile enough to influence and do interesting work.
Apply online now:
If this sounds like you, this could be the next step in your career. Click 'Apply' now and submit your application, including a cover letter and current resume by COB Monday, 20 th July 2026.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion and support candidate requests for adjustments to enable everyone to equitably participate in our selection process.
