Head of Risk & Compliance

OPES GROUP | Head of Risk & Compliance

Christchurch, NZ  |  Full-time, Permanent  |  Reports to CEO  |  Financial Services & Property 

About the opportunity

This is a rare chance to own the risk and compliance function for one of New Zealand's most dynamic property investment groups - from the ground up, Group-wide, and with a direct line to the CEO and Board.

Up until now, risk and compliance has been managed by our fantastic COO as part of a broader remit. As the Group grows, it's time to bring in a dedicated leader to own this function fully. As the Group scales across multiple regulated entities, you'll be the single point of accountability for risk and compliance across all of them - shaping strategy, protecting the business, and building on an already strong culture where doing the right thing is simply how things are done.

Who we are

Opes Group helps Kiwis build long-term wealth through new build investment properties - backed by financial advice, mortgage and insurance services, property management, real estate, and accounting.

What we offer

• Senior executive salary package + 3.5% KiwiSaver + fully funded comprehensive medical insurance


• Real mandate - direct access to the CEO and Board, with the authority to drive genuine change across the Group


• Rare regulatory breadth covering FAP, AML/CFT, real estate, privacy and more - all within one Group


• A culture where doing the right thing is genuinely valued, not just on paper


• Friendly, high-performing teams across our Auckland and Christchurch offices


• Supportive leadership who are engaged, accessible, and invested in your success
  

What you'll actually do

• Lead the Group-wide Risk Management Framework and Compliance Programme across all Opes entities, aligned to ISO 31000


• Serve as the strategic adviser to the CEO and Board on regulatory risk, emerging issues, and governance matters


• Own the Group's FAP licence obligations - design, operate, and continuously improve compliance arrangements


• Act as (or oversee) the AML/CFT Compliance Officer across Opes licensees, including DIA engagement


• Lead regulatory relationships with the FMA, REA, and Office of the Privacy Commissioner


• Manage the full risk register, incident and breach processes, and remediation activities


• Design and run three-lines-of-defence assurance, compliance monitoring, and thematic reviews


• Build and develop a high-performing Risk and Compliance team (including our Compliance Officer).

What you'll need

• 8+ years in senior risk & compliance roles in financial services or a comparable regulated environment


• Hands-on experience in a NZ FAP licensed environment (FMC Act, Code of Conduct, FMA expectations)


• Proven track record building ERM frameworks and compliance programmes


• AML/CFT Compliance Officer experience (ACAMS or equivalent)


• Strong Board and regulator engagement experience


• Tertiary qualification in law, commerce, finance, or similar

Bonus points

• Postgrad or professional certification (GRCP, GRCA, CCEP, CISA, INFINZ, IoD)


• FAP Compliance Officer micro-credential (Level 5)


• Familiarity with mortgage, insurance, wealth planning, or property investment


• Level 5 Certificate in Financial Services

The kind of person we're looking for

Pragmatic, not pedantic. Board-level presence. Commercially astute. High integrity. Resilient under pressure. Continuous improvement mindset. Strong communicator. Collaborative leader.

You can balance regulatory rigour with business outcomes - and you know when to push back and when to find a better path. You'll thrive here if you want genuine influence, not just a compliance function that ticks boxes.

Your authority & scope

• Group-wide coverage - Accountability across all Opes entities and subsidiaries


• Direct Board access - Unrestricted and independent access to the CEO and Board


• Strategic authority - Shape policy, culture, frameworks, and risk appetite for the whole Group 

Ready to make risk & compliance a competitive advantage?

Applications reviewed as received. Apply via Seek with cover letter and CV