Head of First Line Risk – Melbourne / Sydney | Permanent, Full‑time
Heartland Bank Australia has an exciting leadership opportunity for a Head of First Line Risk to join our Legal & First Line Risk function. This critical senior leadership role provides integrated oversight of credit risk, financial crime, and operational resilience across the bank. You will lead the first‑line risk management capability, ensuring risk is identified, assessed and managed at the point of activity. Reporting to the Chief Legal & First Line Risk Officer, you will shape and embed a strong risk culture across four specialist teams: Retail Credit, Agribusiness Credit, Financial Crimes, and Risk Continuity & Resilience. You will partner closely with executive leadership, second‑line risk, and regulators to ensure first‑line risk practices are proactive, well‑governed and aligned with the bank’s risk appetite and strategic objectives. Key Responsibilities
Leading the bank’s first line risk management framework across credit, financial crime and operational resilience Providing strategic risk advice to the Executive Leadership Team and Board on emerging risks and portfolio trends Overseeing retail and agribusiness credit teams, including credit policy governance and portfolio monitoring Leading first line ownership of AML/CTF obligations, customer due diligence and financial crime risk management Driving the Risk & Control Self‑Assessment (RCSA) process and control testing programs Governing business continuity and operational resilience frameworks in line with APRA CPS 232 Leading and developing four specialist risk team managers Ensuring timely escalation, reporting and remediation of risk incidents, breaches and audit findings Representing first line risk in senior governance forums and regulatory engagements Supporting Board, Executive and regulatory reporting, including ICAAP and risk appetite processes Desired Qualifications
Senior leadership experience across credit risk, financial crime and/or operational risk in a regulated financial services environment Deep understanding of APRA prudential standards and Australia’s AML/CTF regime Leading specialist risk teams and building capability across multiple disciplines Influencing senior leaders and boards with clear, evidence‑based risk insights Embedding risk culture within business‑led environments Preferred Experience
Experience working in or with ADIs Strong governance, policy and regulatory engagement experience Proven ability to balance risk, compliance and commercial objectives A practical, solutions‑focused leadership style We’re an equal‑opportunity employer and encourage applications from all backgrounds. Please let us know if you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. Please note you must be eligible to work in Australia.
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