Organisation: La Trobe University
Job Title: Compliance and Risk Advisor
Location: Melbourne
A degree with substantial relevant experience or an equivalent alternate combination relevant
knowledge, training and/or experience
Successful completion of a Master of Science (Electrical) with the University of Western Sydney and an
in-depth understanding, gained as a student, of University policies and procedures, the culture and
environment and the administration process across a number of Universities during my studies. My
studies are complemented by extensive on-the-job experience in Risk and Compliance gained with the
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA).
Over the past twelve years with CBA, I have developed a broad background across Sales, Finance, Risk
and Compliance, and during this time gained extensive experience across back office functions and
processes. Based in the head office of CBA, I gained an in-depth knowledge of the CBA’s corporate
strategy and how the strategy was applied to the current millennial world. In my current role as
Manager – Business Planning, my core role is to support and facilitate sales target setting process for
the entire branch network and premier banking whilst maintaining integrity and transparency. This
role is based within the Finance team and works closely with Frontline teams.
Previously in the role of Business Analyst – Risk and Compliance, my role involved risk monitoring,
business analysis and incident management on operational risk issues, data integrity, internal audit
and compliance across business and corporate banking operations. Reporting to the Chief Operating
Officer, I was assigned multiple projects where I was responsible for policy and process
implementations and systems enhancements.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience of compliance assessment and risk methodologies and
work processes, preferably in a tertiary education setting
Within my previous position of Business Analyst – Risk and Compliance within the Business and
Corporate Banking Operations of CBA, I completed compliance assessments through the use of the
following methodology:
1. Thoroughly understanding the regulation that has been introduced
2. Identifying the new process, who will be affected, and what systems and processes will
require amendment
3. Documenting the required changes; creating a heat map and conducting a Gap Analysis
4. Analysing Change Impact
5. Assessing Risk Controls
6. Mitigating controls pertaining to key impact
7. Identifying key risk indicators; defining and documenting the key risks, updating statements
and the risk framework accordingly
Through the effective use of this methodology, I was able to successfully execute two large regulatory
compliance projects, including the Foreign Account Taxation Compliance Act (Regulatory) and
National Consumer Credit Code and Responsible Lending (Credit Policy).
Demonstrated experience in advising, supporting and coaching a diverse range of staff on better
practice risk management
A large part of my role with CBA in operational risk and compliance was to firstly ensure there was a
risk culture instilled across the business. In order to achieve this, I was instrumental in designing a risk
roadshow to upskill the frontline staff, delivered to staff across Australia. To complement the
roadshow, I designed and produced a booklet provided to all staff that they could refer to on-the-job
and that included understanding what an operational risk is, how to approach an operational risk, and
the importance of operational risks within an organisation. During the roadshow, I provided advice to
a diverse range of CBA staff regarding effective management of operational risks within the
workplace.
Demonstrated experience in analysing and synthesising large volumes of complex information and
preparing reports and recommendations for action on risk and compliance issues to executives,
senior management committees and governance bodies
In my current role as Manager – Business Planning, I work effectively with over 8,000 frontline sales
staff and am actively involved in setting and planning sales targets for frontline staff delivering over 30
products to more than 7 million customers across the country. To achieve this, I am responsible for
analysing large volumes of complex data to strategically support the business, identifying current
trends and future forecasts. Additionally, I produce and provide head maps to identify where current
issues exist and analyse the data to allow our frontline staff to meet the goals and objectives of the
CBA.
Previously, in the role of Business Analyst – Risk and Compliance, when an internal or external fraud
incident occurred, I was tasked with reviewing seven years of data on individuals who may have been
involved. This required a high level of attention to detail and a high level of discretion. Once I had
obtained all required evidence, I would provide advice and recommendations to the Executive
Management team to ensure robust decisions were made on behalf of CBA.
Experience in a client facing or similar role, with demonstrated ability to effectively communicate
with clients and address difficult or challenging queries
With over 10 years of demonstrated experience in client-facing roles with CBA, I have worked with a
diverse portfolio of clients, both internally and externally, commencing in a sales role providing a high
level of customer service to our clients to meet their financial needs and moving into a Relationship
Manager position, working with corporates with large sums of money and often managing
relationships in difficult and challenging times. To ensure I met the needs of our high net worth
clients, I built a high level of trust and went above and beyond to ensure I was exceeding their
expectations. In the role of Business Analyst – Risk and Compliance and in my current role as Manager
– Business Planning, I work daily with key internal stakeholders, including State General Managers and
Executive Managers, ensuring I exceed their expectations by constantly communicating.
My ability to manage difficult or challenging queries was best demonstrated in the role of Relationship
Manager – Depostis and Transactions when a client seeking to deposit $100 million dollars into their
CBA account was looking to achieve the best interest rate in the market. As the Account Manager, the
client made direct contact with me requesting the best deposit rate and unfortunatley the rate did not
meet a quote he had received from one of our competitors. I contacted Treasury to determine if there
was room for negotiation and was informed that this was the best rate possible. Although the rate
was slightly lower than that of our competitors I was able to discuss with him our long term
relationship and how I would continue to effectively manage the accounts moving forward. Through
this relationship, the client deposited the funds and remained a long term client of CBA.
Proven skills in building a strong understanding of the operating context for business units and
projects and relating this to risk management strategies that inform and add value to business
outcomes
Working in the frontline for over eight years with CBA, I have gained extensive experience in managing
customer expectations whilst gaining the best results for the business, identifying the balance
between service and the needs of the business to meet goals and objectives. Working in the Head
Office for CBA has allowed me to understand the overall strategy of the bank and I believe the key to
my career success thus far has been through applying the strategy and identifying and mitigating the
risks involved whilst focusing on the outcomes, vision and values.
An example of this was evidenced as the business lead on the Small Business Collections project
where I was tasked with managing an unaccounted collections black book that had been unattended
for six months due to a closed operation. During a half yearly review, the black book had been
identified and this large sum of outstanding money was significantly impacting on the business
profitability and was very sensitive in nature.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) specifically requested my assistance in analysing the data to obtain
a dollar amount on the black book. Within the week, I had mapped a business process and compiled a
team of six people to review the accounts whilst I engaged with the senior risk advisors, legal and
compliance teams to prepare contracts for external agencies to purchase the book. Through the
effective risk management strategy I was instrumental in implementing, I was able to track the
collection controls in place and within six months of creating the process had exceeded expectations
and reduced the risk element of the outstanding funds by 70%.
Excellent interpersonal, communication skills and proven ability to work well in a team
My interpersonal style is friendly, approachable and inquisitive and I am able to communicate
professionally with all levels of staff, clients and stakeholders. I enjoy environments that champion
input, accountability, information sharing, and respect for each other. I have the natural ability to put
people at ease, which assists in a smooth and happy working environment. My client base has been
formed from varying types of stakeholders, and so far has included subordinates, peers, superiors and
customers. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated myself to be an active team member with a
proven record of accomplishment of cultivating relationships and removing obstacles to build trust
and enhance productivity, achieving improved workplace communication and team relationships. As a
dedicated team member with a strong people focus, I have always made a conscious effort to build
good relationships with the people around me, regardless of appearance, ethnicity or other
potentially discriminating factors.
High level of initiative and the capacity to manage competing priorities within tight deadlines
As a self-motivated individual who is highly competent in achieving outcomes, I demonstrate highly
developed time management and organisational skills, successfully completing work by using my
ability to multitask and remain focused. I strive for excellence in all tasks I undertake and take great
pride in the quality of work I produce, striving to deliver on intended results at all times.
My ability to complete all of my tasks and activities effectively and accurately is attributed to my
strong organisational, time and task management skills. I do this firstly through my knowledge and
understanding of the business, and where my role’s responsibilities fit into its activities in meeting
deliverables and timelines. I ensure that all tasks are prioritised, listing these and taking action as
necessary. I prioritise and monitor all other tasks and activities and their due dates, ensuring
progression, and attend to urgent and competing matters as they arise, discussing with management
where necessary. I am prepared to be flexible, and to adjust my focus to support competing priorities.
Sound analytical, research, evaluation and problem-solving skills
My well-developed analytical, research, evaluation and problem-solving skills have been
demonstrated during my University studies in successfully completing a Master of Science (Electrical)
with the University of Western Sydney where I researched and analysed information.
Over the past eight years with CBA, I have demonstrated a sound ability to research, evaluate and
problem solve whilst analysing complex information through conducting gap analysis, strategic
analysis, providing business insights, and analysisng risk and compliance issues across the bank.
Excellent oral and written communication and influencing skills
Over the years, I have assumed a high-level of responsibility that has demanded exceptional
communication, I ensure I listen carefully to others, and check to ensure that their views and
requirements have been understood. The use of my highly developed written communication has
been evidenced with CBA where I have been instrumental in developing the retail sales planning
framework to assist the business in achieving consistency and transparency in the planning processes.
Verbally, I communicate at all levels across the business from Executive Management to Frontline
Retail Staff. I have presented to senior executives at committee meetings, provided strategic advice,
led roadshows across Australia and completed risk inductions with all new members of the CBA team.
Demonstrated experience using SAP and other major software
To date, I have supported my tasks through extensive information technology (IT) skills and
capabilities. I have used a number of in-house developed packages and demonstrate an ability to
rapidly learn new systems and software packages with ease.
