Strategic Risk Manager – Second Line of Defense

Apex Group; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex Group in Auckland, New Zealand is seeking a Risk Manager to serve as a key second line of defence, identifying, assessing and reporting on risks across the business. You will ensure controls are effective, regulatory obligations are met, and risk frameworks are embedded to support sustainable outcomes.

You will proactively identify and assess risks, build relationships with senior stakeholders, and support audits, incident reviews, and risk reporting while coordinating with Compliance and

Qualifications

• Experience in identifying, assessing and reporting on business risks.
• Knowledge of risk frameworks in financial services.
• Experience collaborating with senior stakeholders and risk/compliance teams.

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify, assess, and report on business risks, ensuring adequacy and effectiveness of controls.
• Act as subject matter expert for the Apex NZ businesses, developing deep knowledge of key products, services, and risks.
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships across the New Zealand operations.
• Partner with Line 2 Compliance to ensure emerging risks and regulatory obligations are managed effectively.
• Lead risk assessments, testing, and oversight of remediation activities, ensuring timely and effective mitigation.
• Support and monitor local risk reporting, and escalating significant issues as appropriate.
• Provide advice and training to business teams, including Operations, IT, and client-facing staff.
• Coordinate internal and external audit reviews, ensuring findings are addressed.
• Analyse incidents and control breakdowns, ensuring lessons learned and control enhancements are implemented.
• Maintain the Risk Control Profile, Business Risk Assessments, and testing schedule.
• Manage governance reporting (e.g. LARC, BARC), ensuring quality and timeliness of submissions.
• Oversee business continuity planning and support business continuity exercises.
• Support ongoing enhancement of risk policies, frameworks, and procedures.

Skills

Second line of defence

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Reporting skills

Influence senior stakeholders

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

Apex Group in Auckland, New Zealand is seeking a Risk Manager to serve as a key second line of defence, identifying, assessing and reporting on risks across the business. You will ensure controls are effective, regulatory obligations are met, and risk frameworks are embedded to support sustainable outcomes.

You will proactively identify and assess risks, build relationships with senior stakeholders, and support audits, incident reviews, and risk reporting while coordinating with Compliance and