General Manager - Financial Services Risk & Compliance Operations

Job description

OUR PURPOSE At Xero, we’re here to supercharge small businesses. By making small businesses more efficient every day, connecting them with big business technology and empowering a community behind them, their potential is limitless. When that happens, we’re not only helping small businesses, we’ll be building a stronger economy that can change the world. THE ROLE & TEAM The General Manager, Financial Services Risk & Compliance Operations, is a senior leadership role responsible for building and leading Xero’s line 1 financial services risk and compliance operations capability, and will be one of the Responsible Managers for Australian Financial Services Licensing purposes. This role establishes the operating function that enables Xero to scale regulated financial services safely and confidently. It brings together sanctions screening, KYB/KYC and identity verification, AML/CTF operational execution, transaction monitoring, and payment operations into a single, high-performing function that protects customer trust while supporting product growth. The GM will lead the function through its build-operate-transfer phase, initially within Advocacy, Risk & Compliance and, once stable and mature, into its permanent line 1 home. The role will set direction, build the team, define operating standards, and create the partnerships needed across Product, Payments, CX, Security, Financial Services Legal, Risk & Compliance and Enterprise Risk & Compliance to ensure Xero is regulator-ready and operationally strong. This role is critical to ensuring Xero can take direct ownership of the customer and regulatory obligations that come with expanding payments and other financial services products. It represents an opportunity to build trusted operational infrastructure that enables growth, strengthens resilience, and supports a seamless customer experience. WHAT YOU’LL FOCUS ON - Setting up core operational capabilities across sanctions screening, KYB/KYC verification, AML/CTF execution, and payment workflows. - Tooling optimization across Sardine, Salesforce workflows, payment operations platforms, and third-party payment portals. - Establishing operational governance routines, service standards, and key escalation pathways like the Financial Crime and Fraud Working Group. - Managing relationships and quality oversight for outsourced operational partners to align with internal control expectations. WHAT YOU’LL BRING WITH YOU - Substantial operational leadership background within financial crime, AML/CTF, payment operations, or regulated financial services. - Proven capability in building or scaling first-line risk functions, establishing operational controls, and guiding teams through organizational growth. - Deep practical understanding of sanctions, KYB/KYC, transaction monitoring, and financial services licensing frameworks. - Skill in managing external partner relationships, service quality standards, and operational service level agreements. - Comfort using operational data, trend analysis, and workflow tools to continuously strengthen controls and improve efficiency. - Confidence utilizing AI tools responsibly to aid operational decision-making, manage data risks, and streamline team workflows. Apply even if your experience isn't a perfect match! At Xero, we hire based on your skills, passion, and the unique perspective you can bring to enhance our culture and team. WHERE AND HOW YOU CAN WORK This position offers a flexible hybrid working model, balancing the autonomy of remote work with purposeful, collaborative time spent in our modern office spaces. You will participate in regular boost days designed to bring teams together for strategic alignment, creative brainstorming, and connection. Specific location arrangements and remote options can be discussed based on your region.