Policy Director (Economic policy team - Payments)

Policy Director (Economic policy team - Payments)

The Australian Banking Association (ABA)

The ABA is a dynamic and innovative organisation that works effectively as a whole and in partnership with our member banks. The ABA advocates for a strong, competitive and innovative banking industry that delivers excellent and equitable outcomes for customers. We promote and encourage policies that make banking better for all Australians, through advocacy, research and thought leadership.

The Role

The Policy Director reports to the Head of Economic Policy and is responsible for policy development, including leading responses to Government reforms (including policy formulation and advocacy), and designing industry led policy and reform initiatives.

The role leads engagement with member banks and key external stakeholders on policy development and advocacy, and partners with ABA Corporate Affairs on government relations, media, and communications. 

The Policy Director provides policy leadership, technical advice and industry insights, and applies expertise in issues management.  

This permanent role is based in Sydney.

Responsibilities 

• Deliver on the ABA’s strategic plan and policy action plans to demonstrate the role of Australian banks in serving customers and the community, supporting the economy, shaping the future of banking, and strengthening trust through delivering good customer outcomes (ABA strategic priorities).    

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with member banks to develop policy and advocacy positions in response to government led reforms, and design industry led policy and reform initiatives.  

• Build and maintain influential relationships with external stakeholders, including consumer and business advocates, regulators and Government departments.  

• Working with ABA Corporate Affairs, contribute to Government Affairs, media and communications plans, and attend external meetings and industry events. 

• Working with member banks and stakeholders, develop policy and advocacy positions in response to government led reforms, and design industry led policy and reform initiatives, including industry standards and guidelines.  

• Proactively manage policy issues, provide expert problem solving, judgement and execution when faced with complex and urgent issues. 

• Provide intelligence trends and insights, identify leading risk indicators and emerging risks and issues.   

Skills & Experience

• Experienced policy, economics, legal, risk or banking operations professional with 5-10 years’ experience in financial services, ideally banking. 

• Subject matter experience in one or more of the following areas: 

  • Payments 

  • Digital Identity 

  • Open Banking / CDR 

  • Cyber Security 

  • Big Data, AI & Machine Learning 

• Extensive knowledge and experience of political and regulatory processes, media and communications and banking and financial services industry  

• Experience in an area related to regulatory change, legal and compliance is desirable  

• Proven stakeholder management at senior level with a broad range of stakeholders within corporate, political, regulatory, community and media sectors 

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with teams. 

What’s on offer

• Competitive salary including super and performance bonus.

• Opportunity to influence decision makers across industry, regulators and government.

• Flexible working conditions, and lead the ABA's policy work on payments while contributing across the broader range of issues shaping Australia's banking industry & economy.

How to apply

To apply, submit your application via SEEK. Applications close on Wednesday 26 August 2026.