Manager Operational Risk

WorkCover is entering a new chapter, with a renewed strategic focus and strong executive leadership guiding our organisation's 2030 Strategy. As we move into delivery, this role plays a critical part in enabling enterprise-wide transformation that delivers meaningful outcomes for our people, customers and the broader community.

As
Manager - Operational Risk
, you'll lead our Operational Risk Group to enable the enterprise to fulfil its risk obligations and embed risk-aware decision-making across the organisation. You'll enable our vision to be the best workers' compensation insurer while making a positive difference to people's lives through robust operational risk management and governance excellence.

This role is strategic and influential, requiring deep expertise in operational risk frameworks and business risk partnerships from identification through to mitigation. The scope encompasses second line operational risk functions, risk management system ownership, disaster recovery strategies, and comprehensive risk prevention and detection strategies that ensure compliance and business continuity.

You'll serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on operational and strategic risk matters while leading a team of business risk partners who work closely with decision makers across the enterprise. As the operational risk leader for the Risk Group, you'll drive performance through structured frameworks, proactive risk assessment, and comprehensive risk reporting.

You'll also contribute:

• Lead the second line operational risk function to embed risk-aware decision-making and governance excellence
• Develop and implement operational risk frameworks, policies, and management strategies ensuring regulatory compliance
• Design delivery standards, service levels, and risk reporting to enhance performance monitoring
• Lead a team of trusted business risk partners working with business owners to identify, monitor, and mitigate key risks
• Own WorkCover's risk management system ensuring it's fit for purpose and actively utilised across the organisation
• Promote positive culture where risk information is openly shared, discussed, and addressed
• Develop and implement disaster recovery and incident reporting strategies to safeguard business continuity
• Proactively assess risks and opportunities, driving continuous improvement solutions
• Implement operational risk prevention, detection, and mitigation strategies and tools
• Compile and present operational risk data and insights for Executive Leadership Team, Board, and Risk Committee reporting

It's a sophisticated, influential role - perfect for an experienced operational risk professional who excels in complex regulatory environments, builds strong stakeholder relationships and drives purposeful risk transformation that delivers measurable outcomes.

A bit about you:

• Seasoned operational risk professional with extensive experience in financial services, personal injury insurance, and/or legal sectors, with deep understanding of commercial, industrial, and political considerations.
• Led high-performing operational risk teams with strong focus on risk identification, assessment, management, and control effectiveness, bringing structure and excellence to complex risk environments.
• Confident engaging Executive Leadership Teams and Board members, preparing clear and concise investigation reports suitable for senior stakeholders and building trusted advisory relationships.
• Proven track record collaborating and influencing across enterprises to drive business outcomes, with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Navigate complex risk landscapes with confidence, analyse long-term trends, and translate insights into actionable strategies for sustained business growth and risk mitigation.
• Committed to operational risk excellence. Foster high-performance cultures where teams deliver against ambitious risk management standards while maintaining compliance and business continuity.
• Essential qualifications include tertiary qualification in business, risk or similar discipline (postgraduate qualifications highly regarded) and current professional body membership (Risk Management Association, Risk Management Institute of Australia, or Governance Institute of Australia). Extensive experience across personal injury insurance, financial services and/or legal sectors highly desirable.

A bit about us

The Operational Risk team sits within our Risk Group and is dedicated to enabling risk excellence for the organisation and Queenslanders. We support each other professionally and personally - whether developing risk frameworks, conducting risk assessments, or sharing insights about operational risk best practices. We celebrate our achievements, recognise excellence, and foster a culture of transparency, shared success, and continuous improvement.

Working in a collaborative team environment within a supportive and engaged organisation, you'll enjoy hybrid working, access to personalised learning and development opportunities and the holistic support of our health and wellbeing program. We offer industry competitive salaries, a generous superannuation scheme (including co-contribution) and study assistance. You can find out more about our Employee Benefits by visiting Working at WorkCover Qld.

How do I apply?

Please submit your resume and a covering letter of no more than two pages, outlining your suitability for the role including your operational risk leadership experience, strategic and operational risk achievements, your motivations, and alignment with our values and vision.

Applications close at
5pm, Friday 5
th
September
.

We are committed to ensuring WorkCover reflects the diversity of the Queensland community. We welcome applications from First Nations peoples, members of the LGBTQIA+SB community, people of all ages, people who are neurodivergent, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

To provide you the best experience, we can support with accommodations or adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Simply inform our recruitment team during your conversation with them.

Pre-employment checks will be conducted on all prospective employees. This will include a Right to Work in Australia Check, Police Check, Education Check, Reference Check and where appropriate a Visa Check. The information provided will be treated as confidential in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld).

Please note: WorkCover does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies and will not be liable for related fees. All recruitment is managed internally. Agencies must not represent or promote WorkCover roles without prior written authorisation.