Senior Leader, Credit & Capabilitynew

Are you looking for the next step in your career? We’re looking for an experienced and influential Senior Leader, Credit & Capability to lead our credit quality, assurance and capability function across end-to-end lending operations.  

About the role

In this pivotal role, you'll lead the Credit & Capability functions across the end-to-end lending operation, with accountability for credit quality, decision consistency, capability uplift, and risk discipline. Working within the Bank's established credit policy, governance and delegated authority frameworks, you'll use assurance insights, performance data and technical expertise to strengthen decision quality, improve lending outcomes and drive continuous improvement across the lending value chain. Working closely with Lending Assessment, Operational Enablement, Risk and Customer Experience, you'll use assurance insights, hindsight reviews and performance data to strengthen decision quality, reduce rework and improve consistency across the lending value chain. You'll lead initiatives that uplift capability, improve operational performance and support the delivery of high-quality customer and business outcomes. 

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing a high-performing Credit & Capability function spanning credit specialists, assurance and capability.
• Partnering with Credit Risk and operational leaders to embed and continuously improve credit decision frameworks, delegated authorities and decision-making standards across Lending Operations.
• Driving high standards of credit decision quality, consistency and risk discipline across Lending Operations.
• Providing expert credit guidance on complex scenarios and escalations, supporting timely and high-quality outcomes.
• Using assurance, hindsight and performance insights to identify risks, trends and opportunities to improve lending quality and customer outcomes.
• Driving capability uplift, continuous improvement and simplification across credit policy, frameworks and decisioning processes.
• Partnering with operational leaders to improve performance, reduce rework and enhance customer and business outcomes.
• Leading the Line 1 credit governance and control environment, ensuring alignment with regulatory, prudential and internal requirements.
• Strengthening delegated authority, accreditation and professional standards across the lending business.
• Building strong partnerships across Lending Assessment, Operational Enablement, Risk and Customer Experience.
• Driving operational excellence initiatives that improve service delivery, efficiency, quality and performance across the lending value chain.
• Leading the ongoing development of the Credit & Capability function to strengthen assurance, capability and continuous improvement outcomes.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of credit assessment through credit quality, capability and continuous improvement. You’ll play a key role in strengthening leadership capability, uplifting performance, shaping future ways of working and building a high-performing function that balances strong risk discipline with exceptional customer outcomes.

About You

You are an experienced and influential leader with deep credit expertise, strong judgement and a strategic mindset. You thrive in complex environments and are confident navigating the balance between risk, customer outcomes and operational performance. You bring a collaborative leadership style and are passionate about developing people, strengthening capability, driving performance and creating a culture of quality, accountability and continuous learning.

You will also bring:

• 10+ years' experience in banking or financial services, with significant exposure to lending, credit assessment and risk management.
• Demonstrated senior-level credit capability, including experience operating within delegated lending authorities and driving quality, capability or risk-related outcomes across lending operations.
• Strong technical knowledge of credit and risk, with the ability to interpret and clearly communicate complex concepts.
• Proven experience working across business, risk and operational functions and influencing senior stakeholders.
• A strategic approach, with the ability to connect credit and capability priorities to customer outcomes, operational performance and risk appetite.
• Demonstrated experience leading operational excellence, transformation or business improvement initiatives that deliver measurable customer, risk or performance outcomes.
• Experience using data, assurance and hindsight insights to identify opportunities and drive meaningful improvements.
• Strong knowledge of relevant regulatory and prudential standards applicable to credit assessment.

Qualifications

Relevant qualifications in Banking, Finance, Business, Risk Management or a related discipline are highly regarded.

Why you’ll love working with us

People First Bank – our new brand – says exactly what we’re all about: people. We're committed to supporting and growing our team and creating an outstanding work environment.

You’ll have access to financial and lifestyle benefits to support your success and individuality:

• Flexibility and hybrid working arrangements.
• Extend your salary with discounts on banking, health insurance, and shopping across Australia.
• Advance your career with training, study support, and project opportunities.
• Competitive leave benefits that empower employees to take time for themselves and loved ones.
• Wellbeing support with our Employee Assistance Program, wellbeing leave, mental health app, and mental health ambassadors’ program.
• Make a difference with paid volunteering, Workplace Giving, and diverse community initiatives.
• Be recognised for your contributions through our peer-driven recognition program.

A bit about People First Bank

In March 2023, People’s Choice and Heritage Bank merged to form Heritage and People’s Choice Limited - Australia's leading mutual bank.  We are now on an exciting journey to bring together our products, services, and technology under a single brand - People First Bank.

We have over 700,000 members and 1,900 employees, with dual head offices in Adelaide and Toowoomba, an Australian-based contract centre and branches across five states.

With a vision ‘To deliver positive change through banking’, People First Bank serves members and contributes to the community, while offering an inclusive, flexible work environment. We’re big enough to make an impact; but agile enough to influence and do interesting work.

Apply online now

If this sounds like the kind of role where you’ll thrive, we’d love to hear from you. Click ‘Apply’ and submit your application, including a short cover letter and your current resume by 9:00am Wednesday, 19 August 2026.

Our diversity makes us stronger

People First Bank acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and pays respect to Elders past and present. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and culturally safe workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences. We welcome requests for reasonable adjustments to ensure all candidates can participate fairly and confidently in our selection process.