Manjula Gunawardena
Melbourne
Summary
Dynamic executive with 25 years of expertise in banking and finance. Recognized for strategic excellence in risk management, governance, compliance, and operational efficiency. Skilled in fostering high-performance cultures and innovation, resulting in a 25% team efficiency gain and substantial operational cost reductions. I am ready to apply my extensive leadership experience to a key role in risk management.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Head of Operational Risk Asia
National Australia Bank (NAB)
Hong Kong
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Revitalized operational risk governance structure by establishing effective reporting mechanisms and fostering cross-functional collaboration, which facilitated prompt issue resolution and contributed to a 10% reduction in risk exposure
- Provided strategic oversight and delivered comprehensive risk reporting to regional and head office risk committees, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and mitigating potential risks; contributed to a 20% reduction in compliance issues; and enhanced the overall risk management framework
- Executed the development and implementation of governance strategies, risk profiling, and incident management procedures, ultimately achieving a seamless transition of 1st line ownership for risks and controls and increasing overall risk maturity
- Orchestrated successful engagements with regulatory authorities such as HKMA, CBRC, SGMAS, RBI, and FSA, ensuring compliance and achieving favorable audit outcomes throughout Asia.
Head of Risk/Chief Risk Officer India
National Australia Bank (NAB)
Mumbai
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Orchestrated comprehensive compliance planning and delivered training programs, ensuring flawless execution of regulatory obligations in both local and global contexts; achieved a 100% compliance rating in audits conducted by regulatory bodies
- Spearheaded internal and external audits, demonstrating adaptability and alignment with regulatory requirements during the demonetization initiative.
Heading Regulatory & Vendor Management
National Australia Bank (NAB)
Melbourne
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Revamped relationships with Australian regulators, demonstrating exceptional prowess in implementing compelling governance and compliance frameworks
- Monitored, analyzed, and ensured compliance with ever-evolving regulatory changes and industry standards, particularly in vendor management; successfully maintained 100% compliance with all relevant regulations and standards
- Directed the Next Generation Banknote Program, collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement enhanced security features and preparing for a 20% decrease in counterfeit banknotes in circulation.
Manager Operational Risk & Compliance (SS)
National Australia Bank (NAB)
Melbourne
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Pioneered specialized SS frameworks, boosting overall risk maturity by 20% in just six months, effectively meeting diverse organizational needs
- Collaborated with executive leadership to develop and implement a comprehensive risk mitigation strategy, resulting in a 20% decrease in financial vulnerabilities and ensuring business continuity during critical periods
- Conducted immersive risk profiling workshops, analyzing potential threats and vulnerabilities; provided critical insights to inform strategic decision-making and mitigate risks, resulting in a 20% reduction in operational risk exposure.
Senior Manager Operational Risk - Lending Services
National Australia Bank (NAB)
Melbourne
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Directed a team of risk experts in developing and implementing a robust risk management framework, resulting in a 15% reduction in operational risks and a 20% increase in compliance with industry regulations
- Developed and implemented comprehensive risk control assessments, Key Risk Indicator (KRI) frameworks, and control testing regimes for Lending Services, resulting in a 30% reduction in operational risk incidents and a 25% increase in overall process efficiency.
Operations Manager National Mortgage Center
National Australia Bank (NAB)
Melbourne
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Consolidated Credit and Specialized Mortgage Units into the National Mortgage Centre, streamlining operations and achieving cost savings of $500k annually
- Established and implemented risk mitigation strategies to address operational gaps in the National Mortgage Centre; achieved a 15% decrease in operational losses and improved overall operational efficiency.
HSBC Sri Lanka
Colombo
01.1993 - 01.2001
- Ascended through various roles, including management of cash, operations, trade services, and payments
- Developed and executed personalized wealth management strategies for affluent clients, delivering an average annual return of 12% and achieving a 95% client retention rate.
Education
Master of Business Administration -
Australian Institute of Management
Graduate Diploma in Management -
Australian Institute of Management
Graduate Certificate in Management -
Australian Institute of Management
Chartered Banker -
Chartered Institute of Bankers UK
Skills
- Flexible and Adaptable
- Collaboration
- Conflict Resolution
- Leadership
- Team building
Accomplishments
- Consistently achieved "Role model/Outstanding" performance ratings.
- Recognized as a top performer and a part of the NAB high-performing Women group.
- Proficient in presentation composition, communications technology and delivering engaging and articulate presentations to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated exceptional leadership across Asia, consistently delivering outstanding results through a strong work ethic and unwavering professionalism.
- Nominated as the chairman of the Australian and New Zealand Business Indian Forum, contributing to the Australia-India Free Trade Agreement.
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance risk management, reducing financial and reputational risks.
- Developed stakeholder engagement models for collaboration between risk teams and business units.
- Implemented the Delivered Risk Assessment (DRA) model for comprehensive risk control.
- Managed audits and regulatory complexities across multiple countries.
- Cultivated collaborative partnerships with senior management for transparency.
- Expert in operational and compliance risk management, KRIs, and assurance frameworks.
- Proficient in governance, regulatory oversight, and vendor management.
- Skilled in business process management and process improvement.
- Streamlined team operations with Agile methodologies, boosting productivity by 25% and reducing project turnaround time by 15%.
- Advocates for diversity and inclusion for a world-class organization.
Timeline
Regional Head of Operational Risk Asia
National Australia Bank (NAB)
01.2018 - 01.2019
Head of Risk/Chief Risk Officer India
National Australia Bank (NAB)
01.2015 - 01.2018
Heading Regulatory & Vendor Management
National Australia Bank (NAB)
01.2013 - 01.2014
Manager Operational Risk & Compliance (SS)
National Australia Bank (NAB)
01.2011 - 01.2013
Senior Manager Operational Risk - Lending Services
National Australia Bank (NAB)
01.2009 - 01.2011
Operations Manager National Mortgage Center
National Australia Bank (NAB)
01.2007 - 01.2009
HSBC Sri Lanka
01.1993 - 01.2001
Master of Business Administration -
Australian Institute of Management
Graduate Diploma in Management -
Australian Institute of Management
Graduate Certificate in Management -
Australian Institute of Management
Chartered Banker -
Chartered Institute of Bankers UK