General Manager, Policy

The General Manager role leads the Policy function with an enterprise mindset. The primary objective of this role is to oversee APRA’s policy agenda, developing prudential standards and guidance, and ensuring APRA’s regulatory framework is fit for purpose and fit for the future.

**Organisational environment**

The role is a member of the APRA Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the PAD Executive Leadership team reporting to the Executive Director Policy & Advice.

The Policy & Advice division plays a critical role within APRA in providing specialist advisory expertise across our supervisory functions, and helps APRA protect the Australian community by providing policy and advice to support our core mandate.

The Policy team is responsible for the building and maintenance of APRA’s prudential framework. Its role is to ensure that prudential standards and guidance are effective, proportionate and fit for purpose in protecting the financial interests of Australians, within a stable, efficient and competitive financial system.

Policy is a core function of APRA in developing new prudential standards and guidance on both ongoing and emerging risks, and in reviewing and updating existing standards and guidance. As part of policy development, Policy collaborates with a wide range of internal stakeholders, including legal, advice and approvals, risk specialists and frontline supervisors. Policy also consults and engages externally with Government departments, other regulatory agencies, industry associations and regulated entities.

**Key accountabilities and outcomes**
- **People.** Lead a team of professionals to deliver high quality outcomes. Foster an inclusive environment that creates a sense of belonging and trust and allows people to actively contribute and reach their full potential.
- **Strategy.** Set the strategic direction and business plan of the APRA Policy agenda, consistent with the Policy & Advice divisional plan and APRA Corporate Plan. Work closely with other divisions to support execution of the Policy agenda.
- **External.** Develop close networks, both locally and internationally and represent APRA at local and international forums in a manner that enhances APRA’s reputation.
- **Capability.** Ensure the team maintains the requisite contemporary skills to develop policy.
- **Relationship **m**anagement.** Work with key internal stakeholders on policy development, in particular the risk specialist and supervisory teams, as well as legal, media and comms, and specialist advice.
- **Financial management** & resourcing.** Manage the operation of the branch within agreed budgetary constraints and devise resourcing strategies to address evolving needs. Ensure appropriate workforce management to create alignment across the enterprise and minimise duplication

**Desired experience and capabilities**
- Strong leadership and management capabilities, including the ability to organise/motivate others to achieve strategic objectives.
- Fosters an inclusive environment that creates a sense of belonging and trust, and allows people to actively contribute, and to reach their full potential.
- Adept at leading in the face of uncertainty and facilitates understanding of complex circumstances to gain support and agreement.
- Experience in the financial services sector in a senior leadership capacity, with sound understanding of the principles of prudential regulation, the financial sector and system wide risks.
- Excellent organisational, prioritisation, analytical and communication skills.
- Relationship building, negotiation and influencing capability at senior level.
- Demonstrated ability to identify strategic issues and develop and implement appropriate solutions.
- Strong personal integrity and an intuitive understanding of what is reasonable and prudent business practice.
- Ability to establish and maintain sound working relationships with peers, team members and external stakeholders in a professional team environment.
- Professional qualifications in relevant field or equivalent experience.