Manager AML/CTF Programs - 2LoA

Bendigobank; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Bendigo Bank is seeking a senior leader for Financial Crime Risk to shape, maintain and evolve AML/CTF policies and programs. You will translate complex statutory obligations into actionable guidance for business lines and third parties, influencing product development and strategic planning.

As a trusted advisor, you will partner with 1LoA, 2LoA, and 3LoA functions to deliver strong governance, risk management, and resilient controls while promoting a high-performance, inclusive culture across

Qualifications

• Extensive financial crime experience in banking/financial services.
• Proven ability to design, draft, implement AML/CTF programs, risk assessments, and policies.
• Strong understanding of AML/CTF Act, AUSTRAC guidance, and international standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide AML/CTF programs and governance documentation.
• Translate regulatory requirements into practical compliance standards for business lines.
• Embed customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, and risk controls into change initiatives.

Skills

Banking experience

AML/CTF program

Regulatory acumen

Risk in change

Policy drafting

Collaborative leadership

Education

Tertiary qualification in Business/Law/Finance/Risk Management

Job description

Business Unit: Compliance & Financial Crime Risk

Category: Risk, Compliance & Audit

Employment Type: Permanent

Employee Class: Full Time

Closing Date: 13/10/2026

Location: Melbourne, Bendigo, Adelaide, Sydney, or Brisbane (Flexible hybrid working options).

Employment Type: Permanent Full-Time

We’ve never been ‘just a bank’. Just like you should never be ‘just an employee’. We’re united in our belief that in banking, better can be bigger, and together we’re making it happen.

It starts here. With Bendigo Bank… and you.

Come and be part of an essential evolution of our Financial Crime Risk (FCR) function. As we build a best-in-class financial crime second line of accountability (2LoA), this is a unique opportunity to provide critical oversight, robust governance, and data-driven reporting to detect, deter, and disrupt all types of financial crime, helping to safeguard our bank, our customers, and our communities.

You’ll love the good you can do here. In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in shaping, maintaining, and evolving Bendigo Bank’s AML/CTF policies, frameworks, and programs. You will act as an authoritative subject matter expert, interpreting complex statutory obligations and regulator expectations into practical, high-impact policies, standards, and guidance that integrate seamlessly into business planning, operations, and product delivery.

As a key member of our Financial Crime Risk team, you’ll make an impact by:

• Assisting with the end-to-end design, implementation, maintenance, and ongoing evolution of the Bank’s Group-wide and targeted AML/CTF policies, standards, and procedural guidance.
• Interpreting legislative requirements, AUSTRAC guidance, and international best practice into actionable, operationalized compliance standards for business lines and third parties.
• Translating AML/CTF risk appetites into pragmatic policies and procedures integrated into product development, digital initiatives, and strategic business planning.
• Providing proactive 2LoA oversight and technical advisory on new products, operational transformations, business resilience, and risk system enhancements.
• Establishing strong, collaborative relationships across 1LoA business units, Group Risk peers, and 3LoA Internal Audit, while delivering robust, independent challenge.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Senior Manager AML/CTF Programs you will:

• Lead Program Architecture: Design, maintain, and continually refine enterprise-wide and targeted AML/CTF programs, frameworks, and supporting governance documentation to ensure ongoing regulatory adherence and risk mitigation.
• Drive Horizon Scanning & Regulatory Alignment: Identify, evaluate, and interpret regulatory developments, AUSTRAC expectations, and global standards (such as FATF guidance), ensuring the Bank’s programs reflect contemporary and forward-looking practice.
• Oversee Financial Crime Risk in Change: Work alongside project and product development teams to ensure financial crime controls, customer due diligence (CDD/KYC), and transaction monitoring requirements are embedded into strategic and digital transformations.
• Embed Organisational Resilience: Support business continuity and operational resilience initiatives across the financial crime ecosystem.
• Advise & Challenge: Act as a trusted advisor to First Line operations and business units, providing clear guidance, technical interpretation, and constructive oversight to ensure standards are effectively understood and executed.
• Promote High Performance: Assist the Senior Manager in fostering a high-performance, inclusive culture that encourages continuous learning, diversity of thought, and risk ownership.

What you’ll bring to the role

• Demonstrated Banking Experience: Considerable financial crime experience within the banking or financial services industry, with deep, practical knowledge of banking operations and products.
• AML/CTF Program & Policy Expertise: Proven track record in designing, drafting, implementing, and updating comprehensive AML/CTF programs (Part A & Part B), risk assessments, and targeted policies and standards.
• Regulatory & Industry Acumen: Strong command of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006, AML/CTF Rules, AUSTRAC regulatory expectations, and international standards.
• Risk in Change & Advisory Skills: Proven experience guiding and overseeing financial crime risk through project delivery, product enhancements, digital initiatives, and organisational resilience.
• Advanced Policy Drafting & Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex legal and compliance concepts into clear, concise, and pragmatic guidance for diverse stakeholders.
• Collaborative Leadership: Demonstrated capability to engage constructively across 1LoA, 2LoA, and 3LoA functions, balancing business enablement with independent, principled challenge.

Highly desirable

• Tertiary qualification in Business, Law, Finance, Risk Management, or a related discipline (preferred).
• Industry certification in Financial Crime (e.g., ACAMS/CAMS, AFCS, or ICA) highly regarded.

We are committed to helping you find your balance, with the flexibility to design a working arrangement that supports both your career growth and personal commitments.

Why Bendigo Bank?

This isn't just another role; it’s a reinvention. As part of a smaller, dynamic team, you’ll gain unparalleled exposure and experience. You'll do more, learn more, and grow more, with direct access to key leaders. If you are a resilient and driven leader who wants to make a tangible impact and build something exceptional, this is your opportunity.

We believe a diverse workforce supported by an inclusive culture is central to our success and we actively encourage applications from those who bring diversity of thought to our business. We support candidate requests for adjustment to accommodate an illness, injury, or disability to equitably participate in the selection process.

Still in two minds?

Research suggests 60% of women and underrepresented groups might stop here, even after getting as far as drafting an application. We believe that diversity makes every team stronger, so even if you don’t tick every box we still want to see your application!

We’re making better, bigger. And we’ll get there with you.

Now’s the time to set your sights even higher – on the future you and the future career you deserve.