Senior Risk Officer, Wholesale

Rabobank Australia Limited; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Rabobank Australia Limited is seeking a Senior Risk Officer to join the Credit Risk Management Australia team. The role focuses on independent risk oversight for large, complex credit transactions across Wholesale Banking and Major Agribusiness clients, from origination through approval and post-approval monitoring.

You will challenge risk, partner with deal teams, and help maintain Rabobank's risk culture under the Three Lines of Defence framework.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification required.
• Minimum 10 years in financial services with 5+ years assessing large, complex corporate/ institutional credits.
• Strong understanding of credit risk management principles and frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Credit risk assessment and approval of complex submissions within delegated authority.
• Provide independent risk challenge and guidance on transaction structures.
• Monitor portfolio risks and contribute to risk reporting and policy development.
• Engage with multiple stakeholders across risk, legal, tax, audit and compliance.

Skills

Credit risk management

Stakeholder management

Independent risk challenge

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Job description

Shape the future of Food & Agribusiness banking

Rabobank is the world's leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking. With deep roots in rural communities and a global network spanning more than 35 countries, we are committed to helping our clients build sustainable and successful businesses.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Risk Officer (SRO) to join our Credit Risk Management Australia team. This is a critical second line risk role responsible for overseeing complex credit transactions across Wholesale Banking and Major Agribusiness clients, including pre and post farm gate businesses, energy transition, project finance, investment fund structures and investment-sponsored transactions.

This position offers the opportunity to influence high-value credit decisions, provide independent risk oversight and partner closely with senior stakeholders across the Bank.

About The Role

As a Senior Risk Officer, you will provide proactive and independent risk management expertise, ensuring risks are appropriately identified, assessed and managed while supporting sustainable business growth.

Operating within Rabobank's Three Lines of Defence framework, you will challenge and partner with frontline business teams, contribute to high-quality credit decisions and help maintain a strong risk culture across the organisation.

You will engage directly with transaction teams from origination through approval, forming independent risk opinions and approving transactions within delegated authority under Rabobank's Credit Risk Approval Framework.

Key Responsibilities

Credit Risk Assessment & Approval

• Partner with Wholesale Banking and Country Banking teams throughout the deal lifecycle.
• Assess complex credit submissions and evaluate credit, structural, legal, tax and commercial risks.
• Provide independent risk challenge and guidance on transaction structures.
• Approve credit applications within delegated authority and provide recommendations to higher approval authorities where required.
• Ensure transactions align with Rabobank's risk appetite, policies and regulatory requirements.

Portfolio Oversight & Risk Monitoring

• Monitor emerging risks, market developments and portfolio trends.
• Contribute to risk management and enterprise risk reporting.
• Analyse events, trends, successes and failures to strengthen risk management practices.
• Support the ongoing development and enhancement of risk frameworks and policies.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build trusted relationships across Country Banking, Wholesale Banking and Risk functions.
• Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, Operational Risk, Tax, Audit, Sustainability and other key stakeholders.
• Act as a valued risk adviser while maintaining independent decision-making and oversight responsibilities.

Leadership

• Provide coaching, guidance and daily support to Risk Officers where applicable.
• Assist in developing technical credit capability and risk management expertise within the wider team.
• Contribute to a culture of learning, collaboration and continuous improvement.

About You

You are an established credit risk professional with extensive experience assessing large and complex transactions. You combine strong commercial judgement with excellent stakeholder management skills and are confident providing independent challenge to senior business leaders.

Essential Experience

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 10 years' experience within financial services.
• At least 5 years' experience assessing and approving large, complex corporate or institutional credit transactions. Experience assessing project finance transactions will be highly regarded.
• Strong understanding of credit risk management principles and frameworks.
• Experience analysing sophisticated lending structures and commercial transactions.

Technical knowledge

• Deep understanding of credit risk assessment and portfolio management.
• Strong knowledge of banking and finance operations.
• Understanding of regulatory frameworks including APRA requirements and broader prudential risk management standards.
• Knowledge of key credit risk drivers, risk mitigation techniques and emerging risk trends.

Key Capabilities

• Exceptional judgement and decision-making skills.
• Advanced stakeholder management and influencing capabilities.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to balance commercial objectives with prudent risk management.
• Highly organised with strong prioritisation and time management skills.
• Collaborative approach with the ability to work across multiple teams and disciplines.

Why Rabobank?

At Rabobank, you'll be part of a purpose-driven organisation dedicated to supporting clients who feed the world. We offer meaningful work, a collaborative culture and opportunities to develop your career while contributing to sustainable growth across the food and agribusiness sector.

Join a team that values:

• Partnership and collaboration
• Customer focus
• Sound judgement
• Continuous improvement
• Sustainable long-term outcomes

If you're an experienced credit risk professional ready to make an impact at one of the world's leading food and agribusiness banks, we'd love to hear from you.