Head of Financial Crime Compliance

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This is a Senior Leadership position based in Auckland, New Zealand within the second line of defence risk management function, charged with safeguarding the integrity, reputation, and operations of Westpac New Zealand Ltd.
Reporting directly to the Chief Risk Officer, this role will be responsible for leading the Financial Crime Compliance Team and will operate as Westpac NZ's primary advocate and subject matter authority on financial crime risk.
You will develop and oversee a long-term, enterprise-wide strategy for managing and mitigating financial crime. The role encompasses both strategic and operational leadership and requires deep expertise in regulatory obligations, law enforcement coordination, and business partnership.
Duties include:
Leading the formulation and delivery of a best-practice financial crime compliance framework across Westpac NZ.
Ensuring alignment of financial crime programs with Westpac's strategic business objectives and risk appetite.
Advising senior leadership and business units on compliance matters, both current and emerging.
Overseeing monitoring activities to ensure operational adherence to legal and regulatory obligations.
Driving capability-building initiatives across the first line of defence to ensure consistent understanding and implementation of financial crime controls.
Preparing timely and insightful reports for Westpac NZ's Board and Board committees on financial crime risks and controls.
Maintaining effective relationships with regulatory bodies, law enforcement agencies, and industry stakeholders.
Leading deep-dive risk reviews and providing expertise on systemic and emerging threats.
Partner with business units, executive leadership and governance forums to promote an enterprise-wide understanding of financial crime risk.
Represent Westpac NZ in industry discussions and public forums to share expertise and maintain knowledge of sector developments.
Lead and mentor the Financial Crime Compliance Team, fostering a high-performance culture built on integrity, collaboration and excellence.
Contribute meaningfully to the wider Westpac Group Risk and Compliance network.
Nā tāu rourou | What will you bring?
To be considered, you will have the following:
Minimum of 10 years' experience in risk management within the financial services sector.
At least 5 years' senior-level experience in financial crime compliance, with anti-money laundering, sanctions or fraud and scams experience
Strong working knowledge of New Zealand's legislative and regulatory environment related to financial crime, including customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, sanctions, and suspicious activity reporting.
Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders, navigate complex regulatory environments, and lead strategic transformation.
Proven leadership and people management capabilities.
Tertiary qualifications required; additional risk-specific certifications are preferred.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex regulatory matters in accessible terms.
This role offers a rare opportunity to lead the financial crime function in one of New Zealand's leading banks. If you have the experience, vision, and commitment to uphold Westpac New Zealand Ltd's standards of excellence and integrity, we encourage you to apply.
Westpac Hei Wāhi Mahi | Working at Westpac New Zealand Ltd
Immersing yourself in a supportive team environment, and receive some of the best banking, and lifestyle benefits in the market along with:
4 weeks standard holiday + 5 additional days of wellbeing leave to support you to be your best
Additional purchased leave options up to 4 weeks per year
Banking benefits, insurance discounts and superannuation scheme
Career growth – we promote internal capability; we have programmes that recognise star performers
Generous parental leave – and top up government paid parental leave
School holiday subsidy - help you balance work and family during school holiday
2 Volunteer days per year
Ko mātou tēnei | Our Organisation
At Westpac, we're working together to build a fairer and stronger New Zealand for our people, customers, and communities. For over 160 years we've been driven by our purpose to Create Better Futures Together.
What makes us unique are the incredible people we're lucky enough to have walk through our doors every day. The giant 'W' on our building doesn't just stand for Westpac – it says, double you. We're a place that values, rewards and recognises individuality. Where you can be your whole self, your true self, and your best self. We're recognised as a place where talent is developed, where passions are fuelled and where ambitions of all shapes and sizes thrive. And it all starts with you
Apply today with your CV and Cover Letter.
The people of Aotearoa, New Zealand hail from many cultures and backgrounds. At Westpac New Zealand, we draw on this enormous talent pool to cultivate a team rich in ability and empowered to reach its full potential. Our aim is to be brave challengers, celebrating our differences and relentlessly advocating for our customers. It starts with us – we believe that when we care deeply and do our best for our people, they'll do their best for our customers. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply, including those who are neurodiverse, have chronic health conditions or disabilities – your attitude and passion are as important to us as your experience, qualifications and capabilities.
29 August 2025
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As a large New Zealand business and employer, we touch the lives of more than 1.5 million customers, 5000 employees and communities nationwide. Our first customer came from the Otago goldfields in 1861. As our nation grew, we grew too. Now more than 1.5 million Kiwis

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