Head of Risk, Individual Life and Group Life & Investments

Company Description

Welcome to This Australian Life.  

From the millions of Australians we protect, to those that make it happen every day at TAL, people really are what we’re all about. We want to grow with you. Achieve with you. And support you to do your best work. That's why we're focused on developing leadership, promoting diversity, rewarding excellence and retaining great talent. 

We're always looking for people who want to go further with us. People who do what’s right, aim high, and work smart.  Why not see where we can go? 

Job Description

The Head of Risk is a direct report of the General Manager, Risk. This is a senior role requiring deep subject matter expertise in risk associated with insurance product and distribution practices across retail and group channels as well as people leadership.

This role will play a crucial role in the ongoing enhancement of risk management practices across TAL.

You will be an experienced professional providing comprehensive Risk Management advisory and oversight with a specific focus on adequacy or product design and maintenance activities, product distribution practices and product related operations functions.

In this role you will be responsible for day-to-day operational risk advisory activities across a range of TAL business units, providing risk support and oversight to business-critical front office activities within these business units.

You will lead a team of Risk and Compliance professionals to provide sound advice relating to complex issues and risks whilst maintaining a professional, collaborative, and commercial approach. You will manage key internal and external relationships as well as manage and motivate team members to deliver the appropriate Risk and Compliance advice.

In this role you will:

• Deliver robust and timely Risk and Compliance advice to the designated portfolio of business units to support the commercial success of these businesses whilst operating in a compliance and risk aware manner.
• Develop, implement and operate appropriate oversight practices to ensure key risks are identified, treated and reported appropriately.
• Ensure appropriate Line 2 risk oversight and challenge across the breadth of the designated portfolios.
• Monitor developments in relevant professional fields and act as a source of technical guidance to resolve escalated problems and provide advice on the business impact of Risk Management and/or Compliance requirements (either generated externally by a regulatory body or from internal best practice).
• Manage external contractors or service providers as required.
• Manage relationships with business stakeholders to understand business requirements and develop appropriate solutions, to deliver a better service to the business.
• Lead significant Risk Management and/or Compliance projects (which impact the broader business) as required.
• Ensure appropriate risk reporting is generated and escalated as appropriate with a key focus on leveraging data to provide insights that drive action.
• Help the business develop the appropriate Risk Management and/or Compliance culture within the organisation.
• Build and lead a high-performance team.
• Demonstrate strong and respected leadership, providing a good role model to the business (including Line 1 Risk Functions).

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Relevant academic qualifications
• Experience in a financial services environment, with specific experience the risk oversight and support of product design and distribution teams across all distribution channels.
• Expertise in operational risk advisory across a range of business types including product design and distribution.
• Proven experience in building and leading high performing teams comprising senior Risk professionals.
• A thorough and broad understanding of the business and insurance industry
• Good working knowledge of professional standards and codes
• Good leadership and interpersonal skills, ability to communicate and influence at senior management level.
• Computer literacy and a good knowledge of relevant software
• Strong technical skills
• Ability to assimilate complex risk analytics into understandable, written analyses.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong internal and external customer service focus

You’re always accountable for your actions. You never give up. You strive to find the best outcomes for customers and partners. And you value working together to find the best solutions for problems.  

Additional Information

Work is a big part of this Australian life, and we work hard to make it one of the best parts. We don’t just say it; we do it.  We offer a workplace that’s inclusive and flexible,