Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary objective is to lead the modern slavery and human rights programs across the enterprise. You will be responsible for managing all reporting requirements, most notably the delivery of the annual Modern Slavery Statement, ensuring it meets high legislative and internal standards. Beyond reporting, you will act as a strategic coordinator for human rights initiatives. This involves identifying potential risks across the business and working closely with diverse teams to develop mitigation strategies and monitor the implementation of related policies and standards. Driving cross-functional collaboration is a major component of the role. You will lead working groups to ensure sustainability targets are not just theoretical but are integrated into everyday business activity , partnering with Risk, Procurement, and People departments.

Q: What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role sits at the intersection of the 'Social' and 'Governance' pillars of ESG. The main focus is on ensuring that the company’s operations and vast supply chain respect human rights and actively work to eliminate modern slavery. You will also likely contribute to the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and broader social impact initiatives, such as identifying support for customers experiencing vulnerability. It is about moving the company toward a 'responsible business' model that accounts for social outcomes. While the focus is social, your work supports regulatory compliance and disclosure . By managing the Modern Slavery Statement, you ensure the company remains transparent and accountable to its shareholders and the public regarding its ethical footprint.

Q: What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the chief challenges will be embedding social initiatives into commercial workflows . In a large financial organization, balancing sustainability goals with operational efficiency requires persistent advocacy and the ability to prove the value of responsible practices. Navigating a complex regulatory landscape is another hurdle. As reporting standards evolve, ensuring the organization remains compliant while actually driving positive change—rather than just checking boxes—requires significant effort and strategic foresight. Managing diverse stakeholder expectations across multiple brands like AAMI and GIO can be difficult. You will need to harmonize these different business units under a single, cohesive human rights strategy without losing site of their unique operational needs.

Q: How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a working group meeting involving Procurement and Risk teams to review vendor assessments for modern slavery indicators. You might then transition to drafting sections of the annual disclosure report or refining a human rights policy. The afternoon could involve advisory sessions with internal business leaders , helping them understand how new sustainability legislation affects their specific department. You would also spend time monitoring industry trends and peer reports to ensure Suncorp stays at the leading edge of best practices. Your schedule will often be a mix of high-level program management and detailed communication tasks. You might close the day by collaborating with the Corporate Affairs team on sustainability communications to ensure consistency across external messaging.

Q: What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This role offers a clear path toward senior sustainability leadership within the financial services sector. By owning high-stakes programs like modern slavery reporting, you build the visibility necessary for future directorial or 'Head of' positions. There are also opportunities for lateral moves into Risk or Governance , as the skills developed in human rights due diligence are highly transferable to broader corporate risk management roles. Suncorp’s commitment to internal mobility and professional development programs means you can expect support for advanced certifications or leadership training. The high-visibility nature of reporting to the Manager of Sustainability and Governance provides a platform to showcase your impact to the executive committee.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact extensively with the Sustainability and Governance team , providing regular updates to your manager on program progress and risks. This is your primary anchor within the organization. External stakeholders include industry bodies and NGO partners , with whom you will engage to stay informed on best practices and participate in community forums. You will also deal with external auditors and regulatory bodies regarding reporting accuracy. Internally, your most frequent collaborators will be the Risk, Procurement, and People teams . You will consult with these departments to assess supply chain risks and ensure that diversity, inclusion, and human rights are reflected in the company's internal culture and external operations.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The primary objective is to lead the modern slavery and human rights programs across the enterprise. You will be responsible for managing all reporting requirements, most notably the delivery of the annual Modern Slavery Statement, ensuring it meets high legislative and internal standards. Beyond reporting, you will act as a strategic coordinator for human rights initiatives. This involves identifying potential risks across the business and working closely with diverse teams to develop mitigation strategies and monitor the implementation of related policies and standards. Driving cross-functional collaboration is a major component of the role. You will lead working groups to ensure sustainability targets are not just theoretical but are integrated into everyday business activity, partnering with Risk, Procurement, and People departments.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

Working within one of Australia's largest insurers offers profound exposure to ESG governance in financial services. You will gain a sophisticated understanding of how large-scale corporations handle non-financial risk and regulatory reporting in a high-scrutiny environment. You will likely develop advanced skills in supply chain due diligence and ethical sourcing, particularly regarding the Practical application of the Modern Slavery Act. The role also offers insights into reconciliation and community investment strategies, expanding your social impact toolkit. Furthermore, the collaborative nature of the position provides mentorship and exposure to executive-level decision-making. You will learn how to navigate the complexities of a publicly listed company while staying at the forefront of emerging global human rights trends.

Question 3

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate brings significant experience in sustainability or social responsibility, specifically with a strong grasp of human rights and modern slavery frameworks. A background in financial services or large-scale consulting is highly regarded due to the complexity of the industry. Technical knowledge of risk and governance must be balanced with exceptional stakeholder engagement capabilities. You should be comfortable influencing senior leaders and translating complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable advice for non-sustainability specialists. A collaborative mindset is essential. We are looking for someone who can manage complex program delivery while maintaining focus on long-term ethical outcomes, supported by strong structured thinking and communication skills.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability knowledge and demonstrate specific expertise in the Australian Modern Slavery Act. Providing examples of how you have successfully influenced a business to change a procurement or risk process will be highly valuable. Align your application with Suncorp’s purpose of 'building futures and protecting what matters'. Show that you understand the intersection between insurance services and social resilience, particularly regarding how human rights issues affect brand trust and long-term financial stability. Highlight your ability to act as a bridge between departments. If you have experience working with Risk or Procurement teams to solve ethical dilemmas, ensure this is front and center to show you can handle the role’s cross-functional nature.

Question 5

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

Accepted Answer

This role sits at the intersection of the 'Social' and 'Governance' pillars of ESG. The main focus is on ensuring that the company’s operations and vast supply chain respect human rights and actively work to eliminate modern slavery. You will also likely contribute to the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and broader social impact initiatives, such as identifying support for customers experiencing vulnerability. It is about moving the company toward a 'responsible business' model that accounts for social outcomes. While the focus is social, your work supports regulatory compliance and disclosure. By managing the Modern Slavery Statement, you ensure the company remains transparent and accountable to its shareholders and the public regarding its ethical footprint.

Question 6

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

Accepted Answer

One of the chief challenges will be embedding social initiatives into commercial workflows. In a large financial organization, balancing sustainability goals with operational efficiency requires persistent advocacy and the ability to prove the value of responsible practices. Navigating a complex regulatory landscape is another hurdle. As reporting standards evolve, ensuring the organization remains compliant while actually driving positive change—rather than just checking boxes—requires significant effort and strategic foresight. Managing diverse stakeholder expectations across multiple brands like AAMI and GIO can be difficult. You will need to harmonize these different business units under a single, cohesive human rights strategy without losing site of their unique operational needs.

Question 7

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

Accepted Answer

A typical day might begin with a working group meeting involving Procurement and Risk teams to review vendor assessments for modern slavery indicators. You might then transition to drafting sections of the annual disclosure report or refining a human rights policy. The afternoon could involve advisory sessions with internal business leaders, helping them understand how new sustainability legislation affects their specific department. You would also spend time monitoring industry trends and peer reports to ensure Suncorp stays at the leading edge of best practices. Your schedule will often be a mix of high-level program management and detailed communication tasks. You might close the day by collaborating with the Corporate Affairs team on sustainability communications to ensure consistency across external messaging.

Question 8

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Accepted Answer

This role offers a clear path toward senior sustainability leadership within the financial services sector. By owning high-stakes programs like modern slavery reporting, you build the visibility necessary for future directorial or 'Head of' positions. There are also opportunities for lateral moves into Risk or Governance, as the skills developed in human rights due diligence are highly transferable to broader corporate risk management roles. Suncorp’s commitment to internal mobility and professional development programs means you can expect support for advanced certifications or leadership training. The high-visibility nature of reporting to the Manager of Sustainability and Governance provides a platform to showcase your impact to the executive committee.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

You will interact extensively with the Sustainability and Governance team, providing regular updates to your manager on program progress and risks. This is your primary anchor within the organization. External stakeholders include industry bodies and NGO partners, with whom you will engage to stay informed on best practices and participate in community forums. You will also deal with external auditors and regulatory bodies regarding reporting accuracy. Internally, your most frequent collaborators will be the Risk, Procurement, and People teams. You will consult with these departments to assess supply chain risks and ensure that diversity, inclusion, and human rights are reflected in the company's internal culture and external operations.

Senior Advisor Sustainability

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