Risk & Assurance Specialist

Southern Cross Medical Care Society; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Wellbeing leave

Volunteer day

Job summary

Southern Cross Health Insurance is seeking a Risk & Assurance Specialist to provide independent Line 2 assurance and risk management across the organisation. You will combine practical assurance experience with enterprise risk management, governance oversight and stewardship of risk frameworks, systems and reporting.

This role offers exposure across the business, engaging with leaders and governance forums, using insight and constructive challenge to improve risk outcomes, and supporting

Qualifications

• At least five years' experience in risk management, assurance, internal audit, compliance or risk advisory.
• Experience in financial services, insurance, banking or another regulated environment.
• Proven experience evaluating control design and operating effectiveness.
• Strong understanding of enterprise risk management, governance and the Three Lines model.
• Knowledge of risk frameworks, regulatory obligations and assurance methodologies.
• Strong analytical and root cause analysis skills.
• Experience working with risk systems, reporting, data and analytics.

Responsibilities

• Providing independent Line 2 assurance over the effectiveness of risk management, controls, governance and compliance arrangements, with risk-based coverage of our most material risks and obligations
• Evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of controls, and assessing the broader control environment
• Identifying emerging risks, systemic issues and opportunities to strengthen risk management and control effectiveness
• Overseeing incidents, issues and remediation activity, including whether actions address root causes and deliver sustainable outcomes
• Maintaining and enhancing our risk frameworks, methodologies, systems and reporting
• Providing clear, actionable insight that supports leadership and governance decision-making
• Partnering with stakeholders across the business to build risk capability, culture and control effectiveness, backed by good use of risk data and analytics

Skills

Risk management

Internal audit

Regulated environment

Control design

ERM knowledge

Risk analytics

Job description

About us

Southern Cross Health Insurance is shaping a healthier Aotearoa New Zealand. Our purpose is simple: empowering our members to live well for longer. We're here to give peace of mind through timely access to quality care, inspire healthier living, and lead positive change across the health system. As a New Zealand‑owned, member‑based organisation, we're building a future where wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do -- delivering exceptional value for our members and creating an environment where our people thrive. Now is an exciting time to join us. You'll be part of a high‑performing, values‑driven team where people are at the heart of everything we do -- and in return for your talent, you'll have the opportunity to grow, make an impact, and be proud of the difference your work makes.

About the role

We are looking for a Risk & Assurance Specialist to provide independent, Line 2 assurance and risk management expertise across Southern Cross, giving leaders confidence that the risks that matter most are genuinely understood and well managed. You'll combine practical assurance experience with enterprise risk management, governance oversight and stewardship of our risk frameworks, systems and reporting. It's a varied, influential role where you'll work right across the organisation, using insight, constructive challenge and trusted advice to help leaders improve risk outcomes, make better decisions and build lasting risk management capability.

Key responsibilities

• Providing independent Line 2 assurance over the effectiveness of risk management, controls, governance and compliance arrangements, with risk‑based coverage of our most material risks and obligations
• Evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of controls, and assessing the broader control environment
• Identifying emerging risks, systemic issues and opportunities to strengthen risk management and control effectiveness
• Overseeing incidents, issues and remediation activity, including whether actions address root causes and deliver sustainable outcomes
• Maintaining and enhancing our risk frameworks, methodologies, systems and reporting
• Providing clear, actionable insight that supports leadership and governance decision-making
• Partnering with stakeholders across the business to build risk capability, culture and control effectiveness, backed by good use of risk data and analytics

You're confident giving constructive challenge and comfortable presenting to executives and governance forums, with a natural ability to build trusted relationships without losing your independence or objectivity. Ideally you will also have:

Qualifications

• At least five years' experience in risk management, assurance, internal audit, compliance or risk advisory
• Experience in financial services, insurance, banking or another regulated environment
• Proven experience evaluating control design and operating effectiveness, including assessing broader control environments from a Line 2 perspective
• A strong understanding of enterprise risk management, governance and the Three Lines model
• Knowledge of risk frameworks, regulatory obligations and assurance methodologies
• Strong analytical and root cause analysis skills
• Experience working with risk systems, reporting, data and analytics

Why Join Us

Ngākau nui. Āhurutanga. Tikanga. Join a proud, diverse team, that's always there, always real, always true. If you thrive in a caring, honest and open culture, we think you'll love working with us. We know that it is our team's culture and wellbeing that will drive us forward. That's why we prioritise not only professional development opportunities but opportunities to thrive personally, too. We offer exceptional work/life balance and our employees are encouraged to – and rewarded for – living well.

Southern Cross employee benefits

• Five days of wellbeing leave per year (pro-rated for part-timers)
• Health insurance for you and your immediate whānau
• Life insurance cover and discounts on pet and travel insurance
• Extra parental leave benefits and financial wellbeing support
• Participate in our workplace wellbeing programme

That's not all. Need more time to study, volunteer or support your whānau? We offer a hybrid environment and the ability to purchase flexi leave, and each year you'll get to take part in a volunteer day, contributing to a cause or community of your choice. We are proud to have taken the Pride Pledge, reflecting our commitment to inclusion and belonging. We also facilitate an active, employee‑led Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Forum, which includes our Rainbow Network, Māori Network, Pasifika Collective, and Neurodiversity and Whānau Support networks. If you share our commitment and passion, we'd love to hear from you.

About us

Southern Cross Health Insurance is shaping a healthier Aotearoa New Zealand. Our purpose is simple: empowering our members to live well for longer. We’re here to give peace of mind through timely access to quality care, inspire healthier living, and lead positive change across the health system. As a New Zealand‑owned, member‑based organisation, we’re building a future where wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do — delivering exceptional value for our members and creating an environment where our people thrive. Now is an exciting time to join us. You’ll be part of a high-performing, values‑driven team where people are at the heart of everything we do — and in return for your talent, you’ll have the opportunity to grow, make an impact, and be proud of the difference your work makes.