Head of Enterprise Risk

Nelson Building Society; Nelson; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Community-focused organisation

Job summary

Nelson Building Society is seeking an experienced senior risk professional to lead the development of its risk capability in Nelson, New Zealand. You will implement integrated risk management frameworks, right-size them for the mutual society, and collaborate with senior leadership to enhance risk maturity across the organisation.

You will help deliver the DTA project obligations while fostering strong risk culture and practical risk governance.

Qualifications

• Experience implementing integrated risk management in financial services.
• Ability to engage with SLT/Board and set risk appetite statements.
• Proven track record raising risk maturity and embedding processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and tailor risk frameworks to fit Nelson Building Society.
• Advise across the business to improve risk capability and assurance.
• Lead delivery of the Three Lines model and DTA project obligations.

Skills

Integrated risk frameworks

Stakeholder engagement

Three Lines model

Risk appetite & KRIs

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/r risk or related field

Tools

GRC software

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

We’re a full banking service provider, dedicated to understanding our client’s needs and to providing a superior level of service. We make banking easy for our clients – whether individuals, families, businesses or community-focused organisations and work together to support their growth and success.

We believe in placing an emphasis on building long‑term, personal relationships with our clients. Every client is more than just a number to us; they’re part of our extended family. It’s why our clients stay with us year after year and why we have multi‑generational families who bank with us.

Banking that’s mutually beneficial.

Unlike the big banks we’re a mutual society. This means we’re owned by our clients, not shareholders and can think differently about our profits. We invest our profits back into the business to provide service improvements for our clients and offer support to local community groups through our sponsorship and community investment programme.

Our clients love that we play a part in building stronger, more connected communities by supporting and investing in hundreds of charities and community organisations in the regions they live in each year. Over the last 10 years we’ve invested over $8 million into our communities.

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced senior risk professional to help us develop our risk capability. You’ll have a strong track record of implementing integrated risk management frameworks, with the skills and experience to right‑size them for NBS. The role involves engagement across the business, and you will enjoy working closely with teams to improve risk maturity and enhance our Three Lines model. As a key stakeholder in delivering NBS’s DTA Project, you will help NBS meet its new obligations as a deposit taker while making a positive difference for our clients and our community.

Your ability to analyse complex situations, provide sound risk management advice, coach the business to raise risk capability, clearly articulate issues and your adaptability will be invaluable in our ever‑changing environment.

A strong analytical mindset, sound judgement and great people skills are essential!

About you

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• Strong knowledge and experience of integrated risk frameworks, models and best practice in order to tailor and right‑size NBS’ risk frameworks (ideally in financial services)
• Good understanding of that application of risk based management system to support operational excellence
• Sound understanding of the three lines model and its practical application to assurance
• Experience working with SLT and Board to set and review Risk Appetite Statement and KRIs
• Practical experience in driving a positive risk culture and embedding risk processes and practices across the business
• Excellent analytical, risk identification and problem solving skills
• Effective communication and relationship building skills

What we offer

Our people are at the heart of who we are. In return for your passion and commitment, we offer a competitive salary, ongoing professional development opportunities, and the chance to be part of a supportive, community‑focused organisation. We welcome applications from candidates with the right skills and experience from across New Zealand, including those looking to relocate to Nelson.

To apply for this role you must be a New Zealand citizen, resident, or have already secured the right to work in New Zealand.

Applications close: Wednesday 16 September 2026