About Avant With over 130 years of heritage, Avant is more than just a medical defence organisation – we're the trusted professional partner for Australia's healthcare community. As a mutual organisation with annual revenues of $445 million and net assets of ~$1.4 billion, we're owned by our members and run purely for their benefit. Our 950 staff are committed to supporting doctors throughout their lives and careers, with over 50% of Australia's doctors choosing Avant as their professional partner. About the Role This senior leadership role is responsible for leading and driving the strategic direction and operation of Regulatory Compliance and Policies across Avant Mutual. This position is instrumental in ensuring compliance with Avant Mutual's legal, regulatory, and ethical responsibilities while providing oversight, management and leadership of the compliance function. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, this role acts as the primary interface between the compliance function, regulators and Avant Mutual's front line teams, ensuring the necessary systems, processes and analytics are in place to support the effective implementation of Risk and Compliance Frameworks, Policies and Standards. The role provides strategic leadership and direct management of the Compliance Manager team. The role will own and drive the Compliance Risk Management Framework and Financial Accountability Regime office for Avant Mutual, while ensuring effective coordination and oversight of specialist compliance areas including AML/CTF, Fraud, Privacy, Modern Slavery, Complaints Handling, and Gifts, Benefits and Conflicts of Interests. Key requirements include senior-level compliance leadership experience; comprehensive knowledge of regulatory frameworks; proven track record in leading compliance transformation and team management; exceptional stakeholder management and regulatory relationship capabilities; strategic thinking combined with operational excellence; and the ability to drive compliance culture across diverse business operations. Key Challenges: The Avant compliance function has been through a period of significant change and continues to evolve. The role will need to bring the team and function together and establish clear deliverables across the team. Avant has a diverse range of business and a growth strategy. As the business grows, relationship building and clear communication of compliance systems and expectations and respective roles across Avant’s businesses will be critical to the success of the role. As the business develops, the position will continue to evolve, and the incumbent is expected to adopt a flexible approach to work requirements and to undertake new or alternate duties as required. This may include adoption of new technologies, new work procedures and new expectations. Key Accountabilities: Strategic Leadership and Team Management • Lead and manage the compliance function, providing strategic direction and oversight, including direct management of the Compliance Manager - Specialist role.• Develop and implement Avant Mutual's compliance strategy in alignment with business objectives and Avant's vision and purpose.• Lead and develop the Compliance Managers and broader compliance team as the function matures, ensuring effective coordination of specialist compliance areas.• Foster strong collaborative relationships with the Line 2 Risk team and other key stakeholders across all compliance domains. Compliance Framework Leadership • Develop, communicate and oversee the Compliance Risk Management Framework (CRMF), ensuring its effectiveness and continuous improvement including the management of compliance led centres of excellence.• Provide executive oversight of specialist compliance frameworks including AML/CTF, Fraud, Privacy, Modern Slavery, Complaints Handling and Gifts, Benefits and Conflicts of Interests.• Ensure comprehensive compliance with AFS licence conditions, ASIC/APRA requirements, and prudential standards across all business operations.• Direct the development and maintenance of policies, procedures and controls to manage compliance risks affecting consumers, members and market integrity. Regulatory Relations and Financial Accountability • Develop and maintain effective and collaborative relationships with regulators (ASIC and APRA).• Manage Financial Accountabilities Regime (FAR) obligations and ensure organisational adherence.• Oversee regulatory change management processes and communicate impacts across the organisation.• Coordinate responses to regulatory inquiries and ensure timely regulatory reporting across all compliance areas. Compliance Monitoring and Risk Oversight • Direct the compliance monitoring program covering all legal and regulatory obligations, with oversight of specialist compliance monitoring activities.• Provide second-line oversight, challenge, and reporting on adequacy of compliance framework, compliance obligations and plans, and reporting (including for Boards and Committees).• Oversee compliance risk registers and ensure implementation of appropriate mitigation strategies across all compliance domains.• Direct control verification processes and analysis of data sourced from complaints and incidents. Incident Management and Breach Response • Lead the compliance incident management process and response strategies across all compliance areas.• Oversee breach identification, investigation and remediation processes, ensuring robust breach registers and timely regulatory reporting.• Ensure effective coordination of compliance centres of excellence including specialist incidents and breaches management.• Direct compliance incident trend analysis and reporting on regulatory change impacts. Governance and Stakeholder Engagement • Report directly to executive leadership on compliance matters and organisational risk exposure.• Support Board and senior management oversight through comprehensive reporting and briefings on all compliance matters.• Maintain executive-level relationships with regulatory bodies and coordinate with control functions.• Provide executive-level communication and reporting to internal and external stakeholders.• Liaise with external auditors, legal counsel and regulatory consultants on strategic compliance matters. Organisational Compliance Culture • Oversee compliance training & development programs across the organisation, including specialist compliance training delivery.• Lead initiatives to promote strong compliance culture through communication and awareness programs.• Ensure robust second line of defence capabilities through effective team management, relationship building and oversight.• Lead field work initiatives to support the development, maintenance, and monitoring of compliance to policies, standards, and processes. Professional Development and Additional Duties • Complete required executive training and maintain current knowledge of regulatory developments and industry best practices.• Perform any other duties requested by Avant Mutual from time to time. To be successful you will have: • 9 years professional experience in risk or compliance • Tertiary qualifications in Business, Law, Risk & Compliance Management preferred• Exceptional leadership and people management capabilities• An ability to distil complex concepts into actionable advice from governing bodies. • Ability to build strong and trusting relationships across all levels of the organisation.• Appropriate knowledge and experience to confidently interact with relevant business leaders.• Experience in presenting to senior management teams to explain and educate in relation to all aspects of Avant Mutual’s Compliance Risk Management Framework.• Intellectual curiosity and continuous improvement mindset.• Deep compliance and regulatory experience relevant to Avant Mutual’s activities• Experience in developing compliance frameworks within large businesses.• Proven record in implementing pragmatic responses to regulatory issues and requirements.• A strong record of guiding and advising on the development and implementation of compliance regimes.• Strong knowledge of control responses to manage compliance obligations• Strong analytical, written, and verbal skills to communicate risk concepts and deliver meaningful management information.• Proven record of effective stakeholder management and driving outcomes.• Superior interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills, with emphasis on achieving results and successful outcomes through consultation and collaboration.• Proven effective leadership and management skills with a demonstrated ability to role model Avant Mutual’s Service Charter - H.E.R.E(Honest, Expert, Responsive, Easy) at all times. Why work at Avant? • Discount of 25% on Private Health Insurance.• We value our people by offering an inclusive workplace with flexible work, career development and internal mobility opportunities.• Our flexible working arrangements are designed to enable genuine work-life balance.• Your development is our priority, and we have a variety of learning and development programs that will support you in your career.• We offer support to our people via Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Health and Wellbeing programs, Tertiary Education Sponsorship and Support.• We have a diverse and connected work environment where your contribution and ideas will be valued and respected and make a real difference to the lives of others. If you have any queries regarding the role, please do not hesitate to contact Nico Touze, Head of Talent Acquisition at nicolas.touze@avant.org.au
