The Head of Risk role sits within the Risk and Data Services business unit and is responsible for leading, informing and monitoring key portfolio, enterprise and compliance risk areas for the Guardians. This includes providing risk assurance on the New Zealand Superannuation Fund (“the Fund”) and the organisation to the Board and management committees, as well as identifying, measuring, reporting and communicating across the key areas of risk.  

The Risk business unit works closely with the rest of the organisation, as well as with a number of external parties and peer funds to ensure Guardians’ activities are consistent with current best practice. 

This role reports to the Chief Risk Officer and is a key leadership position within the Risk team. The Head of Risk play a critical role in representing the function in leadership forums across the Guardians.   

 
Key responsibilities 
 
This Head of Risk is responsible for all activities of the Risk and Data Services business unit, and requires someone with a deep understanding of how the investment risk, liquidity and risk budgeting work together.  

As the Head of Risk, you will play a critical role in leading the execution of strategic objectives, overseeing the daily activities of the Risk team to ensure the Fund's portfolio risk position and the organisations business risk have been identified, measured, reported and communicated. 

Other tasks include (but are not limited to):  

• Lifting our operational risk appetite and simplifying our processes and controls where appropriate 

• Develop, implement, maintain and review frameworks for the Portfolio Risk, Enterprise Risk, Model Risk, Operational Due Diligence and Operational Compliance teams. 

• Actively participate in relevant committees such as the Risk Committee and Funding and Treasury Group.  

• Enhance the Guardians’ risk systems and frameworks to ensure assurance and reporting meet the needs of the organisation.  

• Design and contribute to stress-testing scenarios 
    

About you 

An experienced or aspiring leader who can demonstrate a good understanding of Investment Risk, either from a market facing role, or broader investment role, and who champions a risk awareness culture, as well as:   

• Demonstrated capability in both management and leadership.  

• Highly self-aware, with the ability to tailor behaviour and approach as required.  

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  

• Excellent understanding of the Fund’s investment risk profile and how our approach to investment risk, liquidity and risk budgeting work together.  

• Be intellectually curious and pragmatic about the Guardians’ management of enterprise risk.  

• Strong continuous improvement focus with a creative and inclusive approach to identifying risks and recommending solutions.  

• Clear strategic approach to continually develop and grow the business unit.  

• Ability to work to deadlines.  

• Collegial, constructive approach, including the ability to foster both internal and external relationships. 
    

How to apply:  
This role is being managed directly by the internal team at the Guardians. Please apply directly with your CV and cover letter highlighting your skills, experience and motivation for the role. If you have further questions, you can contact Aaron Gustofson, [email protected].   

The Guardians encourages and welcomes applications from people with diverse experience, including applicants with specific disability needs. As a proudly committed equal opportunity employer, we challenge discrimination and actively work to eliminate bias in our hiring practices. Diversity of experience and diversity of background help us to solve complex problems and deliver on our purpose.