Sessional Ombudsman - Banking and Finance

Dreaming of making a more meaningful impact on the world in 2025? We are seeking to appoint Sessional Ombudsmen in Banking and Finance to join our dynamic decision-making team on a “per engagement” basis. This unique role offers the flexibility to balance your career achievements with other interests while contributing to a greater purpose: supporting fair and efficient outcomes in the financial services sector.

As a Sessional Ombudsman, you’ll provide expert “on-demand” support as part of a talented pool of lawyers. With access to AFCA’s extensive resources, specialists, and tools, you’ll work collaboratively to resolve complex disputes and deliver outcomes that uphold our commitment to fairness and community service.  You can work from our offices or fully remotely depending on your personal circumstances.

You are likely to be at a stage of your career where you have an interest in using your well-developed skills and experience to contribute towards a broader community service role but equally value greater work life balance and time for other interests.  Reporting to the Lead Ombudsman Banking and Finance, Natalie Cameron, this role suits a senior lawyer with a long-established practice or an executive level legally qualified professional with a strong track record of significant achievement and a background in the financial services sector, particularly in banking and finance.  Knowledge and background involving the Banking Code (ABA, COBA, AFIA), contract law, insolvency and securities, would be very helpful.

Qualifications

We’re seeking senior legal professionals who:

• Have a consultative approach and a talent for distilling complex issues into clear, practical solutions.
• Thrive in flexible, per-engagement work arrangements, with the ability to switch seamlessly between independent and collaborative work.
• Exhibit excellent communication skills, empathy, and a capacity to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Show resilience when handling criticism from both consumers and financial firms, maintaining professionalism and objectivity.
• To ensure impartiality, your recent professional dealings (within the last three years) should not create any perception of bias toward financial services industry members or consumers.
• Legal qualification and a proven record of success at a senior level in banking and finance, or within a tribunal, EDR scheme, regulatory agency, or related entity.
• A strong history of significant achievements and contributions in the field.

If you’re ready to use your expertise to drive fair outcomes in financial services while enjoying a flexible, impactful career path, we’d love to hear from you

Additional information

• BOSS Best Places to Work 2024 –credited for its culture, engagement and flexible working arrangements.
• Employer of Choice Public Sector and NFP – Australian HR Awards 2023
• Accredited as a Family Friendly Workplace and Bronze in AWEI
• Hybrid working from home and our state-of-the-art office and facilities designed for collaboration, and wellbeing. We work flexibly at AFCA and encourage you to talk to us about how this role can be flexible for you.
• Progressive and inclusive leave entitlements, including flexible public holiday leave, women’s health leave, 18 weeks paid parental leave, sorry business leave, early and advanced pregnancy loss leave, paid gender affirmation leave, extra personal leave and paid time off over Christmas. Plus, study leave to support your professional development.
• Not For Profit salary packaging benefits.

Life at AFCA

Our people are at the centre of everything we do. We live and breathe our cultural qualities, which shape how we behave and how we engage with our customers. At AFCA, you will truly feel the difference of working at an organisation which supports people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities to thrive. Our consistently high employee engagement results reflect that AFCA is a truly great place to work and a place where people can contribute, belong and flourish!

To apply

If you are passionate about how we drive fairness in the financial sector and are looking for an organisation that values the human in all of us, we encourage you to apply – even if you don’t meet every single criterion.

We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities. We strive to provide a recruitment experience that’s fair, inclusive and accessible. If you have any specific accessibility requirements, please reach out to the recruiter who is managing this process or email us at [email protected]. We also offer flexible working at AFCA and as such even if a role is advertised as full-time, we invite conversations around other working arrangements and would still encourage you to apply.

AFCA is a 2024 Circle Back Initiative Employer - we are committed to responding to every applicant.