Head of Operational Risk and Resilience

The role

As a senior leader in the Non-Financial Risk team you will work collaboratively to deliver a range of initiatives and activities which drive the transformation of operational resilience across the industries APRA regulates. The Non-Financial Risk team brings specialist risk knowledge and skills to deliver APRA’s mandate and corporate plan in partnership with APRA’s frontline supervision, cross industry risk and policy teams.  The scope of work will include the implementation of strategies and work programs to enable significant uplift in operational resilience practices in APRA’s regulated population particularly across Operational Risk and Resilience and ensuring that APRA’s supervision activities are effective and appropriately targeted and delivered efficiently.

Each day is different, and our team plays a critical role in ensuring that risks are identified and managed leading to more resilient organisations and a stable financial system.

The team

The role is a member of the APRA Leadership Team and the Non-Financial Risk Leadership Team within the Cross-Industry Risk Division (CRD). 
The Non-Financial Risk team is responsible for providing identification, insight and supervision strategies for managing non-financial risks including operational resilience at regulated entities and across the financial services system. This includes key risk streams such as Operational Risk and Resilience, Technology and Cyber Security Risks and Resilience, Climate Risk, Governance, Risk Culture and Conduct, and Accountability and Remuneration practices. 

Non-Financial Risk works in partnership with key areas across APRA to drive strategic outcomes and support strong prudential oversight across Banking, Superannuation and Insurance. 

Key responsibilities

• Risk Class oversight - accountable for understanding key issues and recommending posture/settings relating to Operational Risk and Resilience across entities, industries and the financial system including;
  • Developing an informed view of the current profile of operational risk and resilience across Banking, Insurance and Superannuation in order to provide assurance on risk status, recommendations on risk posture and/or highlighting the need for strategic uplift activities to support entity, industry and financial system resilience
  • In conjunction with colleagues across APRA, ensuring that risk remediation strategies required of entities are fit for purpose and aligned to risks identified
  • Providing recommendations on future policy considerations in relation to third party service providers and their impact on entities, industry and the financial system
  • Oversight of the ongoing implementation of CPS230 Operational Risk Management including assessment of effectiveness of entity implementation, incident response and management, reporting of material service providers to APRA and supporting ongoing training/education on key elements of the prudential standard
  • Ensuring appropriately skilled and experienced risk specialist staff are allocated to supervision activities relating to operational risk and resilience matters, and development of operating model for effective risk specialist skills and knowledge across teams;
• Advice - bring a dynamic and informed approach to the provision of strategic insights and advice to APRA executive leaders on key issues relating to operational risk and resilience
• People – lead a team of professionals to deliver strategic uplift and core supervision outcomes in a pooled resourcing environment. Foster an inclusive environment that creates a sense of belonging and trust and allows people to actively contribute and reach their full potential
• Internal collaboration - working with multiple key internal stakeholders and teams to partner on strategic uplift initiatives and core and ensure needs and requirements are understood and met
• Stakeholder engagement – develop external networks to support initiatives including government agencies, industry associations and key positions at regulated entities
• Develop others – proactively identify and raise continuous improvement opportunities for whole of team efficiency and effectiveness
• Contribute to leadership team - actively contribute to the leadership of Non-Financial Risk team including management of risks, allocation of resources, development of people, prioritisation of activities, management of key relationships and overall team strategy.

About you

• 15+ years’ experience in operational risk and/or non-financial risk management within a financial services environment
• Proven understanding of a broad suite of non-financial risks as well as operational risk frameworks, control frameworks, resilience strategies and regulatory expectations
• Highly effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills with a demonstrated ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders, C-suite executives and Board members
• Strong analytical thinking with the ability to understand risk management implications and potential impacts on businesses, industry and the broader financial system
• Resilience and adaptability and a demonstrated ability to identify strategic issues and develop and implement appropriate solutions
• Ability to lead change and deliver strategic outcomes
• Excellent people leadership skills, with an ability to set direction, empower and create an inclusive environment
• Excellent organisational, prioritisation and analytical skills
• Ability to establish and maintain sound working relationships with peers, team members and external stakeholders in a professional team environment.

To work with us, you need to be an Australian citizen with eligibility to gain a Baseline Security clearance.

About APRA

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) places you at the heart of Australia’s financial services industry. APRA serves the Australian community by helping ensure financial institutions deliver on the financial commitments they make, within a stable, efficient and competitive financial system. 

At APRA we’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs, feels valued and respected. We aspire to attract and foster diversity of background, thought, and experience, recognising that a broad range of perspectives, approaches and ideas makes us stronger, and better enables us to meet our obligation to protect the financial wellbeing of the Australian community. When applying, please inform us of any adjustments you may need during the interview process.