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 & TeamThe 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 OnSetting 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.
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 workThis 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.
Skills Required
- Substantial operational leadership experience in financial crime, AML/CTF, payment operations, or regulated financial services
- Proven capability building or scaling first-line risk functions and establishing operational controls
- Deep practical understanding of sanctions, KYB/KYC, transaction monitoring, and financial services licensing frameworks
- Experience managing external partner relationships, service quality standards, and operational SLAs
- Comfort using operational data, trend analysis, and workflow tools to strengthen controls and improve efficiency
- Confidence using AI tools responsibly to aid operational decision-making and manage data risks
- Experience with tooling optimization across Sardine, Salesforce workflows, payment platforms, and third-party payment portals
Xero Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — U.S. materials cite about 21 days PTO, 10 wellbeing days, five Xtra days, a volunteer day, and 12 paid holidays, plus an end‑of‑year shutdown. Company descriptions position this package toward the upper tier among midsize/large tech employers in the U.S. market.
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Parental & Family Support — Primary caregivers are described as eligible for up to 26 weeks of fully paid parental leave, with partner leave in some markets. Family‑forming support via Carrot and access to Modern Health for employees and immediate family reinforce depth in this area.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Access to Modern Health, a funded ThrivePass wellbeing account (U.S.), and flexible/hybrid work are emphasized as part of a broader wellbeing strategy alongside ERGs and “Boost Day” events. Feedback suggests these programs contribute meaningfully to work‑life balance.
Xero Insights
What We Do
Xero is small business accounting software that provides a platform on which businesses can build a fully integrated solution. It’s designed to make life better for people in small business, their advisors, and communities around the world. Xero minimises tedious admin by automating routine tasks, delivers valuable insights when needed, and brings together business data, trusted advisors, and powerful apps in one intuitive platform. By alleviating pain points, Xero empowers small business owners to supercharge their business, simplifying the complex and freeing up time from manual admin so they can focus on what really matters to build the business they’ve always envisaged.
Why Work With Us
Xero is a human-centric organization where you’ll have a tangible impact on the success of small businesses and their communities, globally. Our team of energised, forward-thinkers work to make life better for our customers and each other every day. We’re also always committed to supporting you with a flexible environment.
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Xero Teams
Xero Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Join us from home or at one of our beautiful workspaces. Xero has offices in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Singapore, and South Africa.
