Executive Lead, Risk & Compliance

Mars Recruitment; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Recruitment partners with a high-growth financial services organisation to appoint a Head of Risk & Compliance. You will drive enterprise risk and compliance uplift, ensuring robust, commercially aligned frameworks and leading a small high-performing team.

Reporting to the CRO and Executive Team, you will shape risk culture, provide practical guidance across products, operations, technology and regulatory change in a fast-moving environment.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of experience in risk and compliance.
• Strong understanding of ASIC, Corporations Act, AML/CTF, Privacy Act and related frameworks.
• Australian financial services experience, ideally with lending/credit products.
• Experience in non-bank lending environments is highly regarded.
• Proven ability to uplift risk maturity in dynamic settings.
• Strong analytical judgement, communication skills and stakeholder influence.
• Background in financial crime or fraud investigation is valued.
• Experience preparing reporting for senior management or Boards.

Responsibilities

• Drive ongoing enhancement of enterprise risk and compliance frameworks.
• Oversee risk activities including incidents, controls, and remediation across functions.
• Lead risk-based compliance monitoring and assurance programs.
• Provide independent challenge on new initiatives and product changes.
• Manage regulatory obligations, licensing and AML/CTF controls.
• Prepare high-quality reporting for senior management, committees and Board.
• Champion a strong risk and compliance culture through training and engagement.

Skills

Risk leadership

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory reporting

Analytical judgement

Financial crime awareness

Job description

Mars Recruitment partners with a high-growth financial services organisation to appoint a Head of Risk & Compliance. You will drive enterprise risk and compliance uplift, ensuring robust, commercially aligned frameworks and leading a small high-performing team.

Reporting to the CRO and Executive Team, you will shape risk culture, provide practical guidance across products, operations, technology and regulatory change in a fast-moving environment.