Senior Manager, Adviser Governance and Review

Colonial First State; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer Super

Discounts on financial services

24/7 confidential support

Birthday leave

Life Leave 3 days

Exclusive discounts

Job summary

Colonial First State seeks a Senior Manager, Adviser Governance to lead onboarding and ongoing monitoring of third‑party advisers within Distribution. You will apply specialist governance expertise to strengthen oversight, interpret AI findings and drive risk‑aligned decisions.

You will partner with AFSL owners, Responsible Managers and senior stakeholders to deliver defensible recommendations and secure proportionate remediation, supporting member outcomes and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of financial advice and regulatory third‑party oversight.
• Experience in advice governance, AFSL supervision and remediation.
• Ability to examine advice files and assess issues through Trustee obligations and member outcomes.
• Strong professional judgement to translate findings into practical recommendations.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders with credibility and judgment.
• Analytical, investigative and communication skills for sensitive discussions and reporting.
• Collaborates effectively across internal teams to deliver governance outcomes.
• Experience using AI-enabled analytics or automation in risk/financial advice contexts.
• Tertiary or professional qualifications in financial advice, law or risk, RG146 or higher.

Responsibilities

• Execute adviser governance strategy for third‑party licensees and advisers.
• Lead onboarding, monitoring and review, including AI advice file findings interpretation.
• Assess significance of issues, member detriment, and Trustee implications.
• Differentiate minor issues from conduct risks and escalate when needed.
• Identify patterns, root causes, control weaknesses and thematic risks.
• Engage AFSL owners and senior stakeholders to secure corrective action.
• Monitor actions to completion and escalate unresolved matters.
• Prepare decision‑ready reporting with findings, risks and insights.
• Collaborate with Distribution, Product, Risk, Compliance, Legal and Trustee teams.
• Support uplift of governance frameworks, tools and methodologies.
• Coach others and promote accountability and high standards.
• Use AI/emerging tech to automate processes and enhance capability.
• Identify capability gaps and propose education for advisers.

Skills

Financial advice knowledge

Advice governance

Regulatory framework

Root cause analysis

Professional judgement

Stakeholder influence

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

AI tools usage

RG146 compliant

Education

RG146 compliance

Professional compliance qualification

Job description

Job Description

Are you ready to be part of an organisation that values expertise, passion and diversity? At CFS we know that the foundation of our success lies in our exceptional people. We believe in celebrating individuality, have a passion for high performance and creating an environment where you can unleash your full potential. Our people enable us to make a difference and deliver exceptional experiences to help our customers achieve financial freedom.

Your Team

The Adviser Governance team is part of CFS’s Distribution, which is accountable for managing the risks arising from the distribution of CFS products through third-party advice licensees, while supporting sustainable distribution and protecting member outcomes. The work undertaken in this role contributes to CFS’s purpose and strategic priorities.

The Senior Manager, Adviser Governance plays a lead role in the onboarding and ongoing monitoring of third-party advice licensees and advisers, applying specialist expertise to strengthen governance. Through effective issue management and thematic insights, the role supports member protection and provides assurance to senior leadership and Boards.

Your Responsibilities

• Execute the adviser governance strategy for third-party advice licensees and advisers in line with regulatory obligations, industry standards and CFS risk appetite.


• Lead adviser governance activities supporting the onboarding, monitoring and review of third-party advice licensees and advisers, including interpreting AI-generated advice file findings and supporting evidence.


• Apply professional judgement to assess the significance of identified issues, potential member detriment, matters relevant to the Trustee and broader systemic implications.


• Distinguish minor process or documentation issues from emerging conduct risks, harmful advice practices and matters requiring escalation or intervention.


• Identify patterns, root causes, control weaknesses and thematic risks, providing clear insights and recommendations to the Director.


• Engage AFSL owners, Responsible Managers and other senior stakeholders to communicate findings, set expectations and secure commitment to proportionate corrective action or remediation.


• Monitor agreed actions to completion and elevate matters that are not appropriately addressed, including recommendations to the Adviser and Licensee Oversight Committee.


• Prepare clear, defensible and decision-ready reporting for senior leaders, governance forums and Boards, including review findings, risk trends and thematic insights.


• Partner with Distribution, Product, Risk, Compliance, Legal and Trustee teams to deliver aligned, member-focused governance outcomes.


• Support the continuous uplift of governance frameworks, monitoring tools and review methodologies.


• Coach others and promote accountability, risk awareness and high professional standards across adviser governance activities.


• Use AI and emerging technologies to automate and scale processes, improve operational effectiveness and enhance business capability.


• Identify thematic capability gaps and recommend targeted education initiatives for third-party advisers.

Your Capability And Experience

• Deep knowledge of financial advice, advice file compliance and the regulatory framework governing third-party adviser and licensee oversight.


• Significant experience in advice governance, compliance or a related financial services function, including AFSL supervision and monitoring, control environments, incident and breach management, and remediation.


• Demonstrated ability to examine advice files and supporting evidence, identify root causes and assess issues through the lens of Trustee obligations, member outcomes, potential harm and systemic implications.


• Sound professional judgement, with the ability to translate complex findings into clear, practical and defensible recommendations.


• Proven ability to influence AFSL owners, Responsible Managers, executives and governance and risk leaders through credibility and judgement rather than formal authority.


• Highly developed analytical, investigative and communication skills, including conducting sensitive discussions and preparing concise, decision-ready reporting for senior leaders and governance forums.


• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across internal teams to deliver aligned governance outcomes.


• Demonstrated capability in using AI-enabled tools, analytics or process automation within a risk, compliance or financial advice environment.


• Relevant tertiary or professional qualifications in financial advice, law, risk, compliance or a related discipline, with RG146 compliance or a higher relevant qualification.

What To Expect

At CFS, you'll be working among the very best in the wealth management industry. It's an inspiring environment that encourages development and celebrates success. Other things to look forward to:

• Access to CFS Employer Super, which offers an expansive investment menu and flexible insurance solutions


• Support with financial services, including discounts on home loans and daily bank accounts through our partnership with a leading financial institution


• Access to 24/7 confidential support covering safety, medical and mental health services


• Additional leave day to celebrate your birthday


• Life Leave - 3 days per annum to focus on your wellbeing or celebrate a special event


• Exclusive discounts on retail, travel and entertainment

CFS Culture

At CFS we are committed to creating a thriving environment where individuals can flourish. We believe that success is built upon strong teams, and we are dedicated to celebrating uniqueness, championing individuality and supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce. We believe that when you can truly be yourself, you can unlock your full potential.

Apply today and join us in helping Australians to achieve their financial freedom.

Please note, CFS requires all candidates to have full work rights in Australia.

Where we have preferred candidates, background checks (including Police, Employment, Bankruptcy checks, ASIC banned and disqualified persons) will be completed prior to the final preferred candidate's employment being confirmed. The outcomes of the background checks do not preclude the preferred candidate, however, they will be assessed against the inherent requirements of the role.

This role is based on Gadigal Land (Sydney).