Sessional Ombudsman, Investment & Advice

Overview

This role involves serving as a Sessional Ombudsman in Investment and Advice (I&) disputes. You will contribute to fair and timely dispute resolution as part of the I&A decision-making team, working collaboratively with internal specialist teams and with external regulatory, industry, and consumer stakeholders.

This is a Board-appointed, fixed-term position for three years, with flexibility to work remotely if that suits your lifestyle.

Engagements are offered on a per-engagement basis and vary depending on availability, including options such as one day per week for several months, a few days per month, or longer-term arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Resolve complex complaints in Investment and Advice (I&) matters and make decisions within an independent dispute resolution framework.
• Engage with regulatory, industry, and consumer stakeholders to address key issues affecting the investment and advice sector.
• Manage a busy caseload by applying strong analytical skills to complex issues.
• Provide clear explanations of decisions verbally to firms and complainants.
• Communicate complex concepts in a simple, accessible manner.
• Coach and mentor junior staff as required.
• Maintain strong professional resilience and focus when managing challenges and public scrutiny.
• Build and maintain positive relationships through excellent engagement skills.

Requirements

You will need:

• Legal Expertise: Legal qualifications with senior executive experience.
• Industry Knowledge: Experience in financial planning, stockbroking, managed funds, cryptocurrency, or derivatives.
• Diverse Backgrounds: Experience in tribunals, EDR schemes, regulatory agencies, related business entities, or private practice.
• Analytical Prowess: Strong analytical skills to manage complex issues and a busy caseload.
• Communication Excellence: High-level written and verbal skills to engage with the insurance sector and community.
• Simplicity in Complexity: Ability to explain complex concepts simply.
• Decision Explanation: Skills to verbally explain decisions to firms and complainants.
• Coaching Ability: Ability to coach and mentor junior staff.
• Resilience and Determination: Strong resilience and focus to handle challenges and public scrutiny.
• Engagement Skills: Excellent skills to build positive relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge or experience across complaints areas including (but not limited to) financial planners, stockbrokers, managed funds, timeshares, traditional trustees, cryptocurrency wallet providers, and/or horse-racing syndicates. Expertise across all areas is not required; knowledge in at least one area is required, with multiple areas highly desirable.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hybrid working with flexible arrangements and state-of-the-art offices designed for collaboration and wellbeing.

Location

• A team of over 1,200 dedicated professionals based in modern Melbourne and Sydney CBD offices.
• The role allows flexibility to work remotely if that suits your lifestyle.

Additional Information

• Fixed-term appointment for three years.
• Applications are welcome from people of all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
• Accessibility support is available during the recruitment process.
• The organization is committed to responding to every applicant.