Head of Operational Risk

At ANZ, we're shaping a world where people and communities thrive, driven by a common goal: to improve the financial wellbeing and sustainability of our millions of customers.

This role exists to provide second line oversight of non-financial and operational risks across Retail Australia Value Chain. It delivers independent review, challenge and advice on risk identification, the quality of risk assessments, and control design and effectiveness, including across end-to-end value chains, processes, systems and data (where relevant). The role provides risk insight and analysis to influence governance and decision-making, supports adherence to risk and compliance frameworks, and identifies and escalates material control gaps where effectiveness is insufficient. The role operates with a high degree of autonomy and judgement, partners closely with senior leaders and governance forums, and remains independent of first line ownership of controls, remediation delivery and operational execution. To be successful in this role you must have a deep understanding of the Retail business environment and the ability to apply risk judgement within divisional and enabling‑function contexts.

This role has 5 vacancies available, each with a different portfolio including Home Loans, LMI Superannuation & Insurance, Retail Deposits, Credit Card & Personal Loans, Digital and Personal Channels. While the underlaying purpose and avcountabilities remain consitent, the specific scope key stakeholders and risk areas will vary depending on the portfolio allocated.

Role Type: Permanent Role Location: Open to Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney locations Work Hours: Full time

As the Head of Operational Risk, you will:

Act as the primary second line lead for the designated Retail portfolio, providing independent oversight, challenge and advice on key non-financial and oeprational risks

Provide clear opinion on framework embeddedness, the quality of first line risk management, and whether risk outcomes are within appetite and tolerance

Prioritise focus on the most material risks, systemic themes and control weaknesses; ensure second line effort is proportionate, risk-based and forward-looking

Review root cause analysis and assess whether proposed remediation addresses underlying drivers and reduces residual risk

Monitor remediation progress and sustainability, providing effective challenge where delivery is at risk or outcomes are not achieved

Provide clear, practical risk advice and insight to senior leaders and governance forums, bringing a balanced enterprise Voice of Risk to strategic and change discussions

Leverage data, analytics and automation (where available) to identify risk indicators, emerging trends and root causes, and to strengthen early identification and decision support

Provide practical feedback and insights to improve risk frameworks, tools and methodologies based on second line observations, assurance outcomes, incidents and regulatory feedback

Lead and develop team capability and succession, including coaching and quality review of key risk outputs

Role model strong risk culture, ethical behaviour and sound judgement, reinforcing independence, constructive challenge and accountability

To grow and be successful in this role, you will ideally bring the following:

15+ years financial services experience and relevant tertiary qualifications

Strong understanding of non‑financial risk frameworks, operational risk and regulatory expectations

Ability to interpret complex risk information and apply sound judgement in ambiguous or fast‑moving environments

Highly developed ability to provide constructive challenge and commercially grounded advisory leadership, influencing decisions and strengthening risk outcomes at senior levels

Influencing and executive communication, with the confidence to challenge at senior governance forums without defaulting to specialists

Systems thinking, with the ability to connect risks and dependencies across initiatives, portfolios and value chains

You’re not expected to have 100% of these skills. At ANZ a growth mindset is at the heart of our culture, so if you have most of these things in your toolbox, we’d love to hear from you.

From the moment you join ANZ, you'll be doing meaningful work that will shape a world where people and communities thrive.

But it's not just our customers who'll feel your impact. You'll feel it too. Because at ANZ, you'll have the resources, opportunities, and support you need to take the next big step in your career.

We're a diverse bunch at ANZ in different roles, different locations, doing different things. That's why we have a range of flexible working arrangements, so our people can 'make work, work for them'. We also provide a range of benefits including access to health and wellbeing services and discounts on selected products and services from ANZ and more.

At ANZ, you'll be part of an organisation where the different backgrounds, perspectives and life experiences of our people are celebrated. That's because we're committed to building a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and encourage you to talk to us about any adjustments you may require to our recruitment process or the role itself. If you're a candidate with a disability or access requirement, and have an enquiry about the support provided, please let us know on your application or visit ANZ Accessibility and Inclusion Programs for alternate contact methods.

To find out more about working at ANZ, visit https://www.anz.com.au/careers . You can apply for this role by visiting ANZ Careers and searching for reference number 122982 .

16/09/2026, 11.59pm, (Melbourne Australia)