Head of Lending Distribution

About us.

A unique life requires a unique bank.

Defence Bank is a memberowned bank with a proud history of serving the Australian Defence community for over 50 26 branches across Australia and our award-winning app Defence Bank is where our members need us anywhere anytime.

The bank provides financial products and services to the Australian Defence Force and its unique community reinvesting profits for the benefit of our members. We are a leader in our sector and our people led technology enabled environment celebrates the individual talents personalities interests and needs of our people.

Recognised as an Australian HR Awards 2026 Excellence Awardee for Employer of Choice and Best Workplace Flexibility Program Defence Bank combines a strong people-first culture with a commitment to innovation. From flexible ways of working to the adoption of AI-powered tools such as Microsoft Copilot we empower our people with the technology support and autonomy they need to do their best work and continue delivering exceptional experiences for our members. Its not just our employees who think Defence Bank is one of Australias best places to work.

The opportunity.

As Head of Lending Distribution you will lead Defence Banks lending distribution strategy across mobile virtual and home loan retention channels. You will have the opportunity to deliver sustainable lending growth strengthen acquisition and retention performance and create an exceptional lending experience for Defence members and their families.

This influential leadership role will bring Defence Banks Military Money Moments strategy to life through lending. Working across Lending Operations Credit Product Risk Marketing and Branch Distribution you will optimise the end-to-end loan journey improve conversion and turnaround times and use frontline member and market insights to influence lending strategy pricing credit policy and product design. This is a Melbourne based hybrid role.

Your key responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• Lead Defence Banks lending distribution strategy driving sustainable growth and exceptional outcomes for Defence members and their families.
• Deliver strong acquisition conversion and retention results through effective portfolio management and distribution performance.
• Lead coach and develop a high-performing team of lending professionals building capability and Defence lending expertise across the function.
• Optimise the end-to-end lending journey improving operational efficiency turnaround times and the overall member experience.
• Drive the evolution of digital and integrated lending channels leveraging innovation automation and technology to support future growth.
• Partner across Product Marketing Credit Risk and Operations to influence lending strategy enhance propositions and deliver seamless lending outcomes.

About You.

Youre a proven lending leader who knows how to inspire teams drive growth and deliver exceptional customer outcomes. With extensive experience leading high-performing lending teams you bring strong commercial acumen deep lending expertise and a track record of turning strategy into results.

You thrive in fast-paced environments using data market insights and customer needs to shape lending strategy improve performance and unlock new opportunities for growth. Youre a collaborative and influential leader who builds capability drives change and creates cultures where people can perform at their best.

Most importantly youre excited by the opportunity to make a real difference for Defence members and their families. If youre ready to lead a nationally significant lending function shape the future of lending at Defence Bank and leave a lasting impact on our members people and business wed love to hear from you.

You will have:

• Proven success leading high-performing geographically dispersed lending teams and delivering sustainable growth across acquisition retention and portfolio performance.
• Extensive expertise in lending distribution loan origination credit risk pricing policy and product strategy within a regulated financial services environment.
• Strong commercial acumen using data insights and performance metrics to optimise conversion efficiency and customer outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to build capability lead change and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive business results.
• Must possess and maintain the experience competence and qualifications required to satisfy ASICs criteria for appointment as a Responsible Manager under the Banks Australian Credit Licence ensuring effective oversight of lending activities and supporting the Banks compliance with applicable regulatory obligations.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications a willingness to travel regularly and a passion for leveraging technology digital innovation and emerging tools to enhance lending performance.