Head of Risk and Compliance – Australia

Role Title:
Head of Risk and Compliance – Australia & New Zealand

Reports to:
Group Chief Risk and Compliance Officer

Location:
Melbourne / Hybrid; Sydney / Hybrid

Job Type:
Permanent

About EML

EML is a fast-moving, global fintech on a mission to make payments awesome — instant, secure, and seamless. We connect our customers to their customers, wherever Money is in Motion.

We're not your traditional payments provider. As an issuer and processor, we deliver smart, flexible alternatives to banking — from reloadable to non-reloadable cards — all tailored to fit. We move fast, think big, and partner closely with our clients to make it happen.

Innovation is in our DNA. We're built on collaboration, driven by curiosity, and focused on doing things better every day.

At EML, you won't be asked to fit in — we'll help you stand out.

The Team

The Risk & Compliance team at EML believes in rolling up their sleeves and getting things done. At EML, we don't subscribe to ivory tower compliance – the organisation seeks a hands-on leader who will engage across the organisation and understand the practical impacts and outcomes of their work.

The Risk & Compliance team at EML is divided into two overarching teams:

1. Country
   Risk & Compliance
   – hold broad responsibilities within their countries/regions and where applicable hold designated titles (such as SMF or PCF designations). They are supported in the execution of their functions and activities by a global team of specialists but maintain ultimate decision-making authority and control via oversight of all parts of programmes and activities that impact on their country/region.
2. Global
   Risk & Compliance
   – narrowly focussed specific functions or areas, providing deep subject matter expertise, framework design and execution support and standardisation across the group in the areas of Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management and Strategy, Testing and Assurance, Regulatory Engagement and Reporting, and Privacy and Consumer Protection.

The Role

The
Head of Risk and Compliance – Australia & New Zealand
is a Country Risk and Compliance role and holds local responsibility for the operation and oversight of the risk and compliance programmes for Australia and New Zealand of EPSL and is subject to the fit and proper standards as dictated by APRA and internal company policy.

What You'll Do

We are seeking an experienced leader to oversee risk and compliance activities for our Australia business with additional responsibility for New Zealand. This role serves as the primary point of contact with ASIC and APRA, and New Zealand regulatory bodies, ensuring that EML meets all relevant regulatory obligations and maintains a strong risk and compliance culture.

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role responsible for the day-to-day execution and continuous improvement of the Australian and New Zealand risk and compliance programmes.

You will focus on providing strong leadership and establishing a sound platform for regulatory compliance, risk management, and data protection compliance. You will have one direct report (the AML Compliance Officer for EPSL) and will be responsible for the oversight of compliance and risk management activities performed by intra-group outsourced service providers (OSPs), working as a trusted advisor to the business as well as ensuring that regulatory compliance and risk management frameworks are embedded into the organisation's operations and culture.

Regulatory Compliance

• Implement and maintain a compliance programme that addresses the business' ongoing regulatory obligations applicable to ASIC, AUSTRAC, APRA, and relevant New Zealand regulators, as well as card scheme rules.
• Lead the execution and ongoing improvement of all operational aspects of the compliance programme including policy/procedure governance, training, risk assessments, control and monitoring, and investigations.
• Provide advice and guidance on regulatory matters across the business with the right degree of pragmatic collaboration to find compliant solutions.
• Act as the regulatory liaison in respect of any regulatory communications, inquiries, visits or inspections.
• Participate in internal and external audits and act as the lead interface with business stakeholders.
• Produce comprehensive management reports for the EPSL Board, regulators and senior management as required.

Risk Management

• Implement and embed the enterprise risk management (ERM) framework within EPSL, ensuring alignment with the Group ERM Framework, and the continued effective operation of the risk function.
• Collaborate with the Global Risk Management function to ensure the efficient identification and assessment of emerging risks to EPSL.
• Monitor and report qualitative and quantitative risks against agreed tolerance and limits.
• Provide detailed reporting on risk exposures and advising management and the EPSL Board (as appropriate) on risk management matters.
• Ensure effective processes and controls are in place and maintained to identify, manage, monitor and report on risks to which the firm is or may be exposed.
• Ensure the consistency of and monitor adherence to risk management standards and the Global ERM framework within EPSL.
• Facilitate the setting of the risk appetite by the EPSL Board.
• Promote a strong risk culture by defining the expected risk and control related behaviours.
• Ensure the continued operation of the three lines of defence model.

Data Protection

• Collaborate with the global data protection function to implement a data protection programme defined by policy and procedure.
• Embed a culture of data protection awareness within the firm.
• Conduct data protection review work in line with the compliance monitoring plan.
• Produce comprehensive management reports for the EPSL Board, regulators and senior management as required.
• Support the global data protection function in the rollout of relevant data protection training.

People Leadership and Resource Management

• Provide day-to-day guidance to team members and assist in resource planning as needed.
• Set clear objectives, promote professional development, and foster a collaborative and values-driven culture.

What You'll Bring

• Experience
  : Experience in a senior risk and compliance leadership role in complex financial services or fintech environments, preferably with exposure to ASIC, AUSTRAC, APRA, and New Zealand regulatory frameworks. Proven track record in managing and enhancing risk management frameworks, including identification, assessment, mitigation, and reporting. Demonstrable experience in regulatory interactions, particularly with financial regulators in Australia and New Zealand.
• Environment
  : Demonstrable experience in global, matrixed environments, including coordinating across time zones, cultures, and reporting lines. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving regulatory environment with competing priorities. Experience in leading cross-functional teams and oversight of outsourced services and working with senior leadership on risk-related strategic decisions.
• Knowledge
  : Deep knowledge of financial services regulation, and compliance frameworks, particularly those applicable to payments, e-money, and financial institutions in Australia and New Zealand. Relevant qualifications in risk and compliance disciplines. Experience in developing, implementing, and overseeing robust compliance programs to meet regulatory requirements.
• Strategic Mindset
  : Proactive and solution-oriented, with a strong focus on prudential compliance and the continuous improvement of risk and compliance management practices.
• Team
  : Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and partner with senior leaders, regulators and cross-functional teams; experience managing a small team on a day-to-day basis, prioritising work to meet deadlines, and coaching more junior team members to help them develop and ensure they deliver high-quality work. Leadership capabilities with the ability to drive change and foster a culture of risk awareness and compliance within the organisation.

What you will be offered

If you love what you do, you should love where you do it. We appreciate that everyone's different and has their own preferences of where and how to work. We genuinely believe in the power of regular face-to-face interactions in building close connections with our teams, but we also strongly believe people can work effectively remotely. This means that combining both is the key to success.

• Competitive Salary: We offer a competitive salary package commensurate with your skills, experience, and industry standards.
• Short-Term Incentive (STI) Opportunity: You will have the opportunity to participate in our short-term incentive program, with the potential to earn 20% of your annual salary based on performance targets and business objectives.
• Flexible working culture where you're empowered to work in a way that suits your lifestyle, anywhere.
• Leave Programs: Enjoy benefits such as the Take 5 extra annual leave program, Birthday leave, and 2 days of volunteer leave per year.
• A culture that values collaboration, learning and continuous improvement.

(*some benefits are subject to qualifying criteria)

EEO statement

Integrated into our Core Values is EML's commitment to diversity and inclusion. EML is committed to being a globally inclusive company where all people are treated fairly, recognised for their individuality, promoted based on performance and encouraged to strive to reach their full potential.

We believe in understanding and respecting differences. This concept encompasses but is not limited to human differences with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, culture, and physical ability. Every individual at EML has an ongoing responsibility to respect and support a globally diverse environment.