Executive Manager Institutional Banking Operations

Commonwealth Bank; Sydney; On-site; AUD 260,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth Bank is seeking an Executive Manager for Institutional Banking Operations, focusing on Global Trade Operations. You will lead a national team, drive transformation, and partner across Product, Technology and risk functions to deliver superior customer and business outcomes.

The role emphasizes strategic thinking, risk management and operational excellence in a complex regulatory environment, with a focus on AI-enabled customer journeys and process modernisation.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in Executive Manager or equivalent senior roles.
• Deep operational leadership in financial services, with Trade Finance/Institutions Banking exposure preferred.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale transformation and tech-enabled change.
• Strong risk management capability within complex regulatory environments.
• Ability to influence across senior stakeholders including business, tech and risk.
• Strategic thinking, problem-solving and prioritisation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end operations across Trade products including imports/exports and related facilities.
• Deliver safe, stable and efficient performance with strong client focus.
• Drive Trade transformation and modernisation including automation and AI-enabled capabilities.
• Maintain a strong risk culture and manage operational, regulatory and conduct risk obligations.
• Own and enhance controls within the operational risk framework.
• Partner with Product, Technology, Sales, Financial Crime and COO teams to deliver outcomes.
• Utilise insights to prioritise investment and change initiatives.
• Develop and inspire a high-performing national workforce.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and service partners.

Skills

Leadership experience

Executive leadership

Transformation delivery

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Cross-functional influence

People leadership

Job description

Executive Manager Institutional Banking Operations

Executive Manager, Global Trade Operations

About the role

The Executive Manager, Global Trade Operations is accountable for the safe, efficient and compliant delivery of Global Trade Operations, leading end-to-end operational support across customer servicing, transaction processing and product lifecycle management activities.

The role is responsible for delivering exceptional customer outcomes while driving operational excellence, risk management, regulatory compliance and strategic transformation across the Trade franchise. Working in partnership with Product, Technology, Institutional Banking & Markets, Financial Crime and COO teams, the Executive Manager will simplify processes, enhance controls and enable sustainable growth.

This is a unique opportunity to operate at the intersection of customer experience, operational delivery and technology modernisation. You will support the transformation of critical trade processes into future-ready, AI-enabled customer journeys, leveraging internal capabilities and strategic vendor partnerships to unlock greater value for customers and the business.

See yourself in our team

Join CommBank's Market Operations Leadership Team within the Chief Operations Office, where you'll play a key role in shaping the future of Trade Operations and delivering on the ambition of our Trade transformation roadmap.

This role combines large-scale people leadership, operational accountability, risk stewardship and transformation delivery. You will lead a national team responsible for the operational execution of Trade products while partnering across the Group to modernise processes, embed technology-led solutions and deliver superior customer, business and risk outcomes.

Success in this role requires a strong focus on strategic thinking, operational excellence and continuous improvement, using customer, financial, operational and business insights to inform decision-making and prioritise investment and change.

Do work that matters

Reporting to the General Manager, Market Operations, you will be responsible for delivering reliable operational performance while leading an ambitious simplification and transformation agenda across Trade Operations.

Key accountabilities

• Leading end-to-end operations across Trade Finance products including Imports, Exports, Trade Advances, Structured Trade Solutions (Borrowing Base Facilities and Working Capital Facilities) and International Bank Guarantees.
• Delivering safe, stable and efficient operational performance while maintaining a strong customer and service focus.
• Driving the execution of the Trade transformation and modernisation roadmap for Operations, including process simplification, automation, digitisation and AI-enabled capabilities.
• Building and maintaining a strong risk culture through effective management of operational, compliance, regulatory and conduct risk obligations.
• Owning and enhancing key controls within the operational risk framework to ensure ongoing effectiveness and compliance.
• Partnering with Product, Technology, Sales, Coverage, Financial Crime and COO teams to deliver integrated customer outcomes and strategic business objectives.
• Using operational, customer, financial and risk insights to identify opportunities, inform strategic decisions and prioritise investment and change initiatives.
• Leading, developing and inspiring a high-performing national workforce, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Managing relationships with key external vendors and service partners to optimise performance, capability and customer outcomes.

We're interested in hearing from people who:

• Have significant leadership experience in Executive Manager, Head of Operations or equivalent senior leadership roles.
• Bring deep operational leadership experience within financial services, with Trade Finance, Institutional Banking or Markets Operations experience highly regarded.
• Have a proven track record delivering large-scale transformation, simplification and technology-enabled change.
• Demonstrate strong risk management capability and experience operating within complex regulatory environments.
• Can effectively partner and influence across senior stakeholder groups, including business, technology, risk and control functions.
• Have exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving and prioritisation skills, with the ability to balance operational performance and long-term transformation outcomes.
• Are experienced in leading large, geographically dispersed teams and building high-performance cultures.
• Possess outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts clearly and influence executive audiences.

Working with us

At CommBank, we're committed to creating an accessible, inclusive and respectful workplace. If you require support or adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to making a positive difference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

For support, please contact 1800 989 ***.