Head of Operations

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About Auto Finance Direct
Simple, Effortless Car Finance. Now, that's easy

Auto Finance Direct (AFD) is a New Zealand-based business dedicated to simplifying the car-buying process. Established in 2009, we provide tailored vehicle finance solutions to used car dealers across the country. Our office is located in the vibrant Grey Lynn area of Auckland, and we offer an energetic, collaborative environment where ideas are valued, and career growth is encouraged.

What You'll Be Doing
As a member of the AFD Senior Management Group, you will be responsible for all Operations, Risk and Compliance objectives. Requirements include managing key business relationships and legislative requirements that influence the AFD business and our customers.

Effectively managing risk and compliance is incredibly important to AFD. The aspiration for AFD's risk and compliance maturity is that clearly defined risk management is embedded in the business, and there is a single and dynamic view of risk and compliance.

Complying with legislation, model standards and internal policy obligations is a key component of the role. The Head of Operations is a senior position in the business that is accountable for the development, implementation and maturing of AFD's compliance frameworks, tools and guidance to lift compliance capability and culture that ensures AFD meets its core obligations.

You'll build and develop a small team to deliver, embed and monitor effective risk and compliance frameworks and policies across our organisation. Your risk and compliance leadership experience within a financial services business, coupled with your collaborative and pragmatic approach, will be the key to your success.

The position will work closely alongside the General Manager, providing strategic direction, intellectual leadership and senior level operations, risk and compliance advice and support to the business.

The ideal candidate will possess a blend of analytical skills, business acumen, and leadership qualities, enabling them to drive initiatives that support both regulatory compliance and operational excellence. Join us and play a critical role in protecting our organisation's reputation and ensuring our practices align with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

As our Head of Operations and a high performer, you will deliver and contribute to AFD in the following areas:

Operations

• Implementation, management and adherence for policies and procedures for Operational Risk and Compliance, including quality assurance and hind sighting reviews and reporting.
• Support and develop operational efficiencies and enhancements that enables continual improvement for all our customers.
• Investigate, introduce and promote the use of modern tools and techniques to enhance business efficiency, management, customer engagement and reporting.
• Manage, lead and develop systems and technology to support company actions and initiatives.

Risk and Compliance

• Implementation of policies and procedures for your department.
• Work collaboratively to review and build on existing policies and procedures.
• Ensure your department operates with and adheres to the applicable legislative requirements for your department and the company.
• Promotes proactive management of workplace safety, health and wellbeing for yourself, your work colleagues, contractors, and visitors.
• Hind sighting and quality assurance programme for your department.

Leadership

• Performance and development reviews for all direct reports and non-direct reports.
• Lead training and development for your department and supporting the wider AFD team.
• Mentor staff at all levels to foster growth and encourage development among senior executive team and all members of staff.
• Managing and measuring team and individual performance.
• Contribute to AFD's SLT by providing insight, challenging constructively and supporting high performance through actions and behaviours.

Company Performance

• Development and implementation of strategic plans for your department.
• Annual performance expectations, including planning, preparation and execution of strategy.
• Provide regular, accurate, timely reports to the General Manager on the financial, operational and strategic activities of the function. Reporting of department performance for Board.
• Manage and monitor budgeted set key performance indicators.
• Effectively manage resourcing to ensure service delivery and productivity performance are attained.

Strategic Relationships

• Work collaboratively and manage your departments relationships with external stakeholders, maintaining mutually beneficial relationships.
• Lead and manage all department initiatives through projects, business enhancements and developments.
• Working with the General Manager, completing annual reviews on all relationships, including terms, conditions and performance.

Why You Should Come Work with Us
You will be able to put your skills and experience to use in a valuable and meaningful way, playing a key role in driving risk and compliance initiatives across our business. You will work with other members of the leadership team to implement strategic initiatives that will shape the future of Auto Finance Direct. This is a chance to make a significant impact on our business contributing to the success of our operations.

We offer competitive compensation and a range of employee benefits, including:

• A free daily boot camp at our on-site gym to stay fit and healthy.
• Convenient parking at our Newton Road location.
• A collaborative and supportive environment where your ideas and contributions will be valued.

What You'll Need to Apply

• 5+ years proven experience in a senior risk and compliance leadership role that managed and developed a team within the Financial Services sector.
• Legislative requirements of the Financial Markets Authority, Commerce Commission, Department of Internal Affairs and the Privacy Commissioner.
• Excellent knowledge and experience with all office-based technology including the Microsoft suite of products.
• Leadership experience, creating and leading high performing Risk teams within the financial services sector.
• Extensive knowledge of risk and regulatory frameworks in New Zealand.
• Proven ability to provide independent risk challenge and influence senior stakeholders.

If this sounds like the opportunity you have been waiting for, then we encourage you to apply early. Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled as they are received. Please note that this role is open only to those who are eligible to work in NZ. This role is being managed by Clint Johnson from HR Associate on behalf of AFD.