Senior Risk Business Partner - Operations

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• Shape the future of how we manage risk for our customer-facing operations
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• Become part of a leading insurance company that invests in its people
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• Hybrid work arrangements, competitive salary, bonus, insurances and generous leave benefits
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Partners Life is one of New Zealand’s largest life and health insurance companies. As part of the Dai-ichi Life Group, a leading global insurance provider, we are writing our next chapter of growth and opportunity.

We know the industry needs bold thinkers and passionate people to help reshape the future of insurance, and that is exactly who we are looking for. We are committed to doing things differently, lifting industry standards, challenging the status quo, and delivering real value through innovation and personalised advice.

If you are looking to join a company that’s redefining the insurance landscape and backed by the strength of a global group, Partners Life is the place to grow your career and make a real impact.

We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for a Senior Risk Business Partner to be part of our busy and high-performing Operations function. You will help embed risk thinking into the way our customer-facing teams work, make decisions and deliver great outcomes for our customers.

This is a true business partnering role that goes beyond risk reporting and compliance. You will work closely with senior operational leaders, provide trusted risk advice, and play a key role in strengthening risk culture across one of New Zealand's leading life insurers.

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• Act as a trusted adviser to the Chief Operating Officer and senior leaders, providing practical and commercially focused risk advice while constructively challenging thinking and supporting strategic decision-making.
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• Partner with senior leaders to proactively manage operational risk and compliance obligations.
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• Lead and facilitate the divisional risk forum, risk assessments, control reviews and related risk and compliance management activities.
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• Support the identification and management of incidents, issues and remediation actions.
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• Deliver meaningful risk insights, reporting and trend analysis to support decision making.
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• Help strengthen risk culture through coaching, education and leadership.
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• Support regulatory change initiatives and governance activities across the business.
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• Contribute to the ongoing maturity and effectiveness of our risk management framework.
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You will be an experienced risk professional who enjoys working closely with the business, building trusted relationships and influencing outcomes. You may have come from frontline operations or held a Line 1 risk role ideally within the financial services or insurance sector.

You bring exceptional relationship-building and business partnering skills, with the ability to influence without authority and communicate effectively at all levels. You can confidently support operational leaders to strengthen risk management practices while operating within our risk appetite. You are comfortable dealing with ambiguity, solving complex business problems in a high-paced environment and influencing without authority.

You will bring:

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• Proven experience in operational risk, compliance, assurance or a relevant discipline.
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• Experience working with customer facing operational teams, preferably within financial services and insurance sector.
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• Strong business partnering and stakeholder management skills with the confidence to engage with leaders at all levels.
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• Expertise in facilitating risk assessments, managing issues and supporting remediation activities.
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• Sound understanding of the regulatory and economic environment, and relevant conduct related regulations.
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• Strong analytical, communication and problem-solving skills with the ability to turn risk insights into practical actions.
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At Partners Life, we believe our people are our greatest asset and are proud to invest in their growth, wellbeing, and success. Here are just some of the benefits you will enjoy as part of our family (some benefits apply to permanent employees only):

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• Comprehensive training and ongoing support
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• Genuine career development and progression opportunities
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• Participation in our discretionary bonus scheme after 12 months’ service
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• Life insurance and income protection cover at our cost, plus discounted medical insurance (permanent employees only)
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• Birthday leave and long service leave
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• Maternity leave salary top up, reduced hours options, and secondary parental leave
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• Flexible hybrid working arrangements
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• Modern office with a stunning view in the heart of Takapuna
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To be eligible to apply for this role, you must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.

We are not engaging recruitment agencies for this role.