Head of Risk & Compliance, Wealth Platforms

SMC Executive; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid working

Job summary

SMC Executive in Australia seeks an experienced Head of Line 1 Risk & Compliance for Wealth Platforms to provide strategic leadership across risk management, regulatory policy and governance. This is a high-visibility role reporting to senior leadership and partnering with the Board to embed a strong risk culture while enabling growth.

You will lead the development and continuous improvement of the Line 1 Risk Management Framework, advise the Executive team on risk and regulatory matters, and

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading Line 1 Risk, Compliance or Operational Risk functions.
• Strong knowledge of Australia's financial services regulatory landscape.
• Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and drive outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve the Wealth Platforms Line 1 Risk, Compliance and Regulatory Policy team.
• Drive ownership of risk management across the business.
• Oversee regulatory change implementation and embedding of requirements.
• Provide risk reporting and analysis to executive committees.
• Foster a strong risk culture balancing customer outcomes and commercial aims.

Skills

Risk leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

People leadership

Regulatory reporting

Job description

Head of Risk & Compliance, Wealth Platforms

Our client - a highly recognised and established financial institution, is currently seeking an experienced Head of Line 1 Risk & Compliance to provide strategic leadership across risk management, compliance, regulatory policy and governance for its Wealth Platforms business.

This is a rare opportunity to join a business undergoing significant transformation and growth, leading the first line risk function within a complex, highly regulated environment. Working closely with executive stakeholders, the Board and Risk functions, you will help shape and embed a strong risk culture while enabling the business to achieve its strategic objectives.

Reporting to the senior executive overseeing Platform Operations, you will be accountable for leading the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the Line 1 Risk Management Framework across the business.

You will act as a trusted adviser to the Executive team, providing insight and challenge on risk, compliance and regulatory matters while ensuring the organisation remains aligned with regulatory obligations and industry best practice.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring exceptional stakeholder engagement, commercial judgement and the ability to influence across complex operating environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and continue to evolve the Wealth Platforms Line 1 Risk, Compliance and Regulatory Policy team and function.
• Drive ownership and accountability for risk management across the business.
• Provide strategic oversight of regulatory compliance obligations, policies and controls.
• Partner with executive leaders to identify, assess and manage key business risks.
• Lead risk profiling, control assurance and incident management activities.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for regulatory engagement activities and responses to regulatory reviews.
• Oversee regulatory change implementation and ensure emerging regulatory requirements are effectively embedded.
• Deliver insightful risk reporting and analysis to executive committees and governance forums.
• Foster a strong risk culture that balances customer outcomes, compliance obligations and commercial objectives.
• Build, develop and lead a high-performing team of risk and compliance professionals.
• Work collaboratively with Line 2 Risk, Compliance, Internal Audit and key business stakeholders.

Candidate Experience

You will be a proven risk leader with deep experience operating within wealth operations/platforms, superannuation, investments or broader financial services environments.

You will bring:

• Extensive experience leading Line 1 Risk, Compliance or Operational Risk functions.
• Strong knowledge of Australia's financial services regulatory landscape.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and implementing regulatory requirements across complex businesses.
• Deep understanding of risk frameworks, governance, controls and compliance management.
• Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and drive organisation-wide outcomes.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Strong leadership experience with a track record of building engaged, high-performing teams.
• Commercial acumen and the ability to balance risk management with strategic business objectives.

Why Join?

• Executive leadership role with significant organisational influence.
• Opportunity to shape risk strategy within a large and complex wealth business.
• High-profile position partnering directly with executive leadership.
• Lead business-critical risk and compliance initiatives during a period of transformation.
• Competitive executive remuneration package & bonus.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Inclusive and collaborative organisational culture.

Melbourne or Sydney based

For more information about this opportunity please contact Tim Carmichael at SMC Executive on 04•••••322.