Head of Compliance & Risk

Private Advertiser; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Private Advertiser in Sydney CBD is seeking an experienced Head of Compliance & Risk to own risk, compliance and assurance across a growing organisation. This leader partners with executives and the Board to build practical frameworks that support smart business decisions.

You'll lead risk governance across AML/CTF, WHS, business continuity and conduct, while guiding the team to deliver robust reporting and proactive risk management.

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience across risk and compliance.
• 2–3 years in a senior leadership role.
• Experience leading a small risk and compliance team.
• Experience preparing Board papers and presenting to directors.
• Strong stakeholder management and influence skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the enterprise risk framework, risk registers and risk appetite.
• Prepare Board and Audit & Risk Committee reporting; lead quarterly Risk Committee meetings.
• Advise senior executives on risk exposure and investment decisions.
• Oversee AML/CTF compliance, regulatory obligations and monitoring.
• Lead frameworks covering conflicts of interest, whistleblowing and payroll compliance.
• Develop the risk-based internal audit plan and manage external audit providers.
• Oversee WHS, incident management, business continuity and governance reporting.
• Improve risk reporting, dashboards and action tracking through technology and AI.
• Lead the Compliance Manager and manage external advisers and service providers.

Skills

Risk management

Compliance

Governance

Board reporting

Leadership

AML/CTF

Education

Law or business degree

Job description

Sydney CBD | Full-Time

We're on the lookout for an experienced and commercially minded Head of Compliance & Risk to take ownership of risk, compliance and assurance across a growing organisation. If you're a pragmatic risk leader who enjoys partnering with executives, navigating regulatory requirements and building frameworks that support smart business decisions. This could be the perfect next step in your career.

What you'll do

You'll lead the development of the organisation's risk and compliance framework, providing practical advice to senior leaders and the Board while ensuring regulatory obligations are met. This is a hands-on leadership role with broad exposure across governance, internal audit, AML/CTF, workplace health and safety, business continuity and conduct risk.

Day to day, you will:

• Own the enterprise risk framework, risk registers and risk appetite, ensuring a practical and proportionate approach
• Prepare Board and Audit & Risk Committee reporting and lead quarterly Risk Committee meetings
• Advise senior executives on risk exposure, investment decisions and emerging business risks
• Oversee AML/CTF compliance, regulatory obligations, compliance monitoring and regulatory change
• Lead frameworks covering conflicts of interest, whistleblowing, fraud prevention, and payroll compliance
• Develop the risk-based internal audit plan and manage external audit providers through to action closure
• Oversee WHS, incident management, business continuity and care governance reporting
• Improve risk reporting, dashboards and action tracking through technology, automation and AI
• Lead the Compliance Manager and manage external advisers and service providers

About you

You're a credible and commercially astute risk professional who can balance strong governance with practical business outcomes. Comfortable operating at executive and Board level, you can challenge constructively, simplify complex requirements and build a risk-aware culture without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

You'll also bring:

• 10+ years' experience across risk and compliance, including at least 2-3 years in a senior leadership role
• Experience leading, managing and developing a small risk and compliance team
• Experience preparing Board or Risk Committee papers and presenting to directors
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills
• A hands-on approach, with the ability to operate effectively in a lean team environment
• Confidence using technology and automation to improve risk and compliance processes
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in law, business, risk or a related discipline

Why you'll love it here

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a broad risk and compliance portfolio, working directly with senior executives and the Board. You'll have the scope to shape the risk framework, influence key business decisions and build practical governance processes that support sustainable growth, with the autonomy to make a meaningful impact.