General Manager, Risk

BE THE DIFFERENCE
At AIA we don't simply believe in being 'the best'. We believe in better – because there's no limit to how far 'better' can take us. Everything we do is driven by our purpose to make a difference by helping people embrace Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. And every one of our people has an important role to play. If you want to make a difference by helping shape a healthier, better-protected Australia, read on.

The Opportunity: 

AIA Australia is seeking a General Manager, Risk to report directly to the Chief Risk Officer (CRO). This senior leadership role is responsible for setting the strategic direction and overseeing the execution of AIA's enterprise-wide risk management function.

The General Manager leads a team of risk professionals across all categories of financial and non-financial risk—including strategic, insurance, asset and capital, operational, technology and AI, conduct, climate, and business resilience risks. The role is accountable for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of AIA Australia's Risk Management Framework, ensuring effective governance of risk appetite, tolerances, controls, and reporting across Life, Health, and Financial Advice business lines.

This position provides strategic oversight of emerging risks and regulatory changes, partners with senior executives to embed a strong risk culture and collaborates closely with Enterprise Risk colleagues to advise and support the CRO on critical risk matters.

To do this successfully you will: 

• Drive the implementation and embedding of AIA Australia's Risk Management Framework (RMF), including Risk Strategy, Appetite, Indicators, Tolerances, and Controls across all business units
• Advise the CRO and senior leadership on strategic and emerging risks, including AI-related opportunities and threats, and assess risks to AIA's strategic plan
• Present risk insights and updates to management, Boards, and regulators, ensuring transparency and alignment
• Partner effectively with business units, regulators, and third parties to ensure robust risk management practices and compliance
• Design and implement a comprehensive risk management and governance program to support Line 1 and business units in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risk exposures
• Lead the coordination and response to external audits and regulatory inquiries, ensuring timely and effective actions are taken to address matters related to the risk management framework
• Build and lead a strong, capable Risk team, promoting accountability, excellence, and adherence to AIA's Code of Conduct and operating principles
• Champion a culture of engagement and continuous improvement within the Enterprise Risk team by identifying opportunities to simplify processes and leverage technology across risk and compliance activities.

Successful applications will demonstrate: 

• The ability to act as a forward-thinking leader who can balance governance and innovation, influence at Board and Executive levels and drive resilience and risk maturity across the organisation
• Extensive corporate and/or consulting experience within the Australian financial services industry (insurance, reinsurance or banking)
• A strong understanding of insurance profit drivers, operational processes including claims and underwriting, business complexities and interdependencies
• Non-financial risk (operations or operational risk) experience and exposure to financial risk (life insurance or actuarial experience) required
• Strong leadership experience and track record of building, coaching and developing teams
• Strong relationship management skills; with ability to influence peers and executives
• The ability to be flexible and manage multiple stakeholder priorities and workloads
• A strong understanding of the regulatory environment as well as key factors impacting business activities in the financial services sector.

Why choose AIA:

At AIA, we've made a promise to help people live healthier, longer, better lives. And it starts with our own people.

• Access our training and development to build on your current skills
• Career development through internal mobility opportunities
• Work for a business helping millions of Australians and make a difference to someone's life everyday
• Access additional leave days a year to recharge and refresh yourself
• Enjoy wonderful Health and Wellbeing initiatives that support you
• Work with supportive and inclusive managers
• Flexible working arrangement
   

At AIA Australia, we're proud to help guide, support and protect the wellbeing of over 3.5 million Australians. As part of the AIA Group - the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group – it is our ambition to engage one billion people to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives by 2030. 

Lots of companies like to say they're different. What makes us truly different at AIA, is the difference we make in people's lives. We are proud that this difference has been recognised in the 2024 ANZIIF awards by being named Life Insurance Company of the Year.

AIA is different. Are you?

If you want to be part of an organisation that helps people live better every single day, apply via the link.

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