Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world’s money. Min fees. Max ease. Full speed.

Whether people and businesses are sending money to another country, spending abroad, or making and receiving international payments, Wise is on a mission to make their life easier and save them money.

As part of our team, you will be helping us create an entirely new network for the world's money. For everyone, everywhere. More about our mission.

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.

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

For everyone, everywhere. We're people building money without borders — without judgement or prejudice, too. We believe teams are strongest when they are diverse, equitable and inclusive.

We’re proud to have a truly international team, and we celebrate our differences.

Every Wiser should feel that they can be themselves at work.

Inclusive teams help us live our values and make sure every Wiser feels respected, empowered to share their contributions towards mission zero and able to progress in their careers.

Having diverse teams that reflect our diverse customer base helps us build a better product. We can be more creative and empathetic to our customer’s needs and make sure we leave no-one behind on our journey to mission-zero.

For everyone, everywhere. We're people building money without borders — without judgement or prejudice, too. We believe teams are strongest when they are diverse, equitable and inclusive.

We're proud to have a truly international team, and we celebrate our differences.
Inclusive teams help us live our values and make sure every Wiser feels respected, empowered to contribute towards our mission and able to progress in their careers.

If you want to find out more about what it's like to work at Wise visit Wise.Jobs.

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