Chief Risk Officer

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic individual to join our team as the Chief Risk Officer for AU/NZ. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the risk management function across AU/NZ, overseeing risk identification, assessment, and mitigation efforts to safeguard the stability and integrity of the organisation's operations in the region.

This role requires a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of regional market dynamics, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. Wise is regulated by a number of regulatory bodies in Australia and New Zealand, including APRA, ASIC, AUSTRAC and the DIA. The successful candidate will take ownership & accountability for the Wise Australia Risk Management Function as an Accountable Person under the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR).

Your mission

• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to regional risk teams, ensuring consistent application of risk management framework, policies and procedures across all Australia/New Zealand operations.
• Lead the development and execution of a proactive regulatory engagement strategy for risk, fostering a collaborative and transparent relationship with our regulators focused on risk mitigation and optimal compliance.
• Design and lead the build out of risk management programs to identify, assess, respond and communicate risk levels.
• Ensure risk appetites are set and facilitate dynamic risk assessment to drive proactive actions in the first line to ensure risks are managed within appetite.
• Oversee development and execution of mitigation plans and track closure of action items.
• Lead the risk assessments necessary for new products, change initiatives, and business developments.
• Work closely with group risk management functions as well as other regional risk leads to ensure that Wise’s risk management function is effective, impactful and continually improving.
• Provide timely and accurate risk reports and updates to senior management and the board of directors, highlighting key risk exposures, trends, and emerging risks in the region.
• As the accountable person under FAR for Risk, ensuring that risk management framework and practices locally are appropriate for the scale and complexity of the business
• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing team of risk professionals, provide leadership and mentorship and coaching to foster a culture of risk awareness, accountability and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Experience and attributes we’re looking for:

• 10+ years of experience in the financial services industry, preferably with a focus on the AU/NZ region.
• Demonstrated track record of second line risk management experience, however first line experience working within 3 LOD model will be strongly considered..
• Proven track record of successfully leading risk management functions with strong business engagement, including developing and implementing regional risk frameworks, policies, and procedures and leading teams.
• Extensive experience in one or more of these areas, operational risk, enterprise risk, compliance risk and regulatory risk management, ideally in a regulated entity within the financial services industry.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to represent Wise Australia in an effective manner to all internal (e.g. management) and external (e.g. regulatory authorities) stakeholders.
• Understand risk and regulations in Australia/New Zealand, and translate regulation into risk management practices.
• Strong commitment to integrity, ethics, and professionalism, with a passion for promoting a strong risk culture and fostering collaboration across the organisation's Australia/New Zealand operations.
• Good understanding of systems, management information, and reporting systems.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and is comfortable navigating the complexities of a subsidiary operation.
• Demonstrates a strong ability to drive results internally with global teams, while fostering a culture of local ownership and initiative.
• Adapts well to working across time zones and is comfortable with frequent travel and late-night calls to ensure seamless collaboration with the core Wise Group teams