Senior Leader, Regulatory Strategy

People First Bank; Toowoomba Regional; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Salary discounts

Training support

Generous leave

Wellbeing program

Volunteer opportunities

Peer recognition

Job summary

People First Bank is seeking an experienced Senior Leader, Regulatory Strategy to shape the bank's regulatory framework during a 12-month fixed term. You will lead the Regulatory Strategy team, guide major reform programs and engage with regulators such as APRA to embed compliant practices across the business.

This role emphasizes strong leadership, stakeholder influence and practical risk management, with hybrid work and opportunities to drive positive outcomes for members.

Qualifications

• More than 10 years' experience in compliance or regulatory risk within financial services.
• Expert knowledge of Australian financial services legislation and regulatory expectations.
• Experience leading regulatory change and complex compliance programs.
• Experience advising on regulatory matters across major projects and transformations.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influential abilities.
• Strong leadership including coaching and team development.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in risk, compliance, audit, finance or law.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Regulatory Strategy team and foster collaboration and development.
• Oversee development and implementation of regulatory strategy and engagement framework.
• Identify emerging regulatory changes and ensure effective implementation.
• Embed compliant practices into projects, products and operations.
• Support relationships with regulators, including APRA.
• Identify opportunities to simplify and strengthen regulatory obligations.
• Provide expert compliance advice across programs and reforms.
• Contribute to uplift of regulatory knowledge across Risk and Compliance.

Skills

Regulatory strategy

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Tertiary qualification in risk/compliance/audit/finance/law

Job description

At People First Bank, we're building a leading mutual bank for the future. As we continue to navigate a dynamic regulatory environment and deliver significant transformational change, we are seeking an experienced and influential leader to join our Regulatory Affairs & Assurance team as Senior Leader, Regulatory Strategy for a 12-month fixed term opportunity.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the bank's regulatory strategy, provide expert guidance across major business initiatives and regulatory reform programs, and build trusted relationships with regulators and key stakeholders. Reporting to the Head of Regulatory Affairs & Assurance, you will lead a high-performing team and play a pivotal role in ensuring regulatory obligations are effectively understood, managed and embedded across the organisation.

About the Role

As Senior Leader, Regulatory Strategy, you will lead the development and implementation of frameworks, processes and practices that support strong regulatory compliance and effective risk management across People First Bank.

You will provide strategic compliance and regulatory oversight across integration programs, transformation initiatives and regulatory reforms, helping the business navigate change while maintaining a strong risk culture and delivering positive member outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the Regulatory Strategy team and fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and professional development.
• Supporting the development and implementation of People First Bank's regulatory strategy and regulatory engagement framework.
• Overseeing processes to identify and assess emerging regulatory change and ensure appropriate implementation across the organisation.
• Partnering with business stakeholders to embed practical and effective compliance management practices into projects, products and business operations.
• Supporting relationships with key regulators, including APRA, and contributing to industry consultations and industry forums.
• Identifying opportunities to simplify and strengthen the way regulatory obligations are understood, managed and embedded across the organisation.
• Providing expert compliance and regulatory advice across integration programs, transformation initiatives, strategic projects and regulatory reform activities.
• Contributing to the ongoing uplift of regulatory and compliance knowledge across Risk and Compliance teams.

About You

You are a highly regarded compliance, regulatory or risk professional with extensive financial services experience and a passion for influencing positive change. You combine strong technical expertise with a pragmatic and collaborative approach, enabling you to build trusted relationships and support business outcomes.

You will bring:

• More than 10 years' experience in compliance, regulatory risk, or related functions within financial services.
• Expert knowledge of Australian financial services legislation, regulations and regulatory expectations.
• Demonstrated success leading regulatory change, strategic initiatives and complex compliance programs.
• Experience providing regulatory advice and oversight across major projects, transformation programs or business change initiatives.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Strong leadership capability, including coaching, mentoring and developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• A relevant tertiary qualification, or equivalent experience, in risk, compliance, audit, finance, law or a related discipline.

Why you’ll love working with us

People First Bank – our new brand – says exactly what we’re all about: people. We're committed to supporting and growing our team and creating an outstanding work environment.

You’ll have access to financial and lifestyle benefits to support your success and individuality:

• Flexibility and hybrid working arrangements.
• Extend your salary with discounts on banking, health insurance, and shopping across Australia.
• Advance your career with training, study support, and project opportunities.
• Competitive leave benefits that empower employees to take time for themselves and loved ones.
• Wellbeing support with our Employee Assistance Program, wellbeing leave, mental health app, and mental health ambassadors’ program.
• Make a difference with paid volunteering, Workplace Giving, and diverse community initiatives.
• Be recognised for your contributions through our peer-driven recognition program.

A bit about People First Bank

In March 2023, People’s Choice and Heritage Bank merged to form Heritage and People’s Choice Limited - Australia's leading mutual bank. We are now on an exciting journey to bring together our products, services, and technology under a single brand - People First Bank.

We have over 700,000 members and 1,900 employees, with dual head offices in Adelaide and Toowoomba, an Australian-based contract centre and branches across five states.

With a vision ‘To deliver positive change through banking’, People First Bank serves members and contributes to the community, while offering an inclusive, flexible work environment. We’re big enough to make an impact; but agile enough to influence and do interesting work.

Our diversity makes us stronger

People First Bank acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and pays respect to Elders past and present. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and culturally safe workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences. We welcome requests for reasonable adjustments to ensure all candidates can participate fairly and confidently in our selection process.