Strategic Head of Fund Administration & Governance in Melbourne

Team Super is a leading industry superannuation fund servicing the transport, energy and mining industries across Australia, with 150,000 members and over $25bn of funds under management. SS&C Administration Services (Australia) Pty Ltd is the appointed outsourced Administrator servicing members of the Team Superannuation Fund, the Trustee and other external stakeholders.

The Head of Fund Administration is a senior leadership role responsible for the day-to-day oversight, governance, performance, risk management and commercial leadership of the outsourced fund administration relationship, including administration-related remediation and control uplift activities. This role sits within the Transformation Business Unit, has line management responsibility for the Administration team and Line 1 Risk Administration team, and reports directly to the Chief Transformation Officer.

The role supports the Chief Transformation Officer as the accountable executive for fund administration by providing high-quality governance, reporting, risk insight, escalation and strategic relationship leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Fund administration oversight and governance: Act as primary business owner for the outsourced fund administration relationship, ensuring services are delivered in accordance with contractual obligations, trustee requirements and regulatory expectations. Lead the day-to-day oversight of the outsourced fund administrator, designing and maintaining robust governance, assurance and reporting frameworks that support effective trustee oversight and fulfil Team Super’s administration obligations. Maintain and continuously enhance the Administration Framework, including trustee oversight arrangements, governance processes, decision-making forums and escalation pathways. Oversee the Administration Operating Model, ensuring trustee requirements, business rules and member obligations are clearly understood, maintained and appropriately reflected in outsourced service delivery arrangements. Support the Chief Transformation Officer in meeting obligations as the accountable executive for fund administration by providing high-quality reporting, insights, risk assessments, escalation advice and governance materials.
• Vendor relationship and performance management: Serve as the senior relationship manager for the outsourced fund administrator, developing a constructive and high-performing partnership focused on strong member and business outcomes. Act as the primary contact point for administration service delivery, performance outcomes, issue resolution and continuous improvement initiatives. Design, implement and continuously improve operating rhythms and management practices that support effective oversight of the administrator relationship. Monitor service performance against agreed KPIs, SLAs and contractual commitments, proactively identifying and addressing emerging risks, issues and performance concerns. Manage escalations relating to administration services, working collaboratively with the administrator, business stakeholders and leadership team to achieve timely and appropriate resolution of complex matters.
• Commercial management and strategic relationship leadership: Lead commercial discussions and negotiations relating to administration services, including service scope, operating arrangements, service standards, contractual terms and pricing where required. Negotiate and review SLAs, performance measures and reporting arrangements to ensure services remain aligned to Team Super’s evolving needs and strategic objectives. Drive commercial assessments, procurement activities, due diligence reviews and other strategic relationship initiatives relating to the administration portfolio. Identify opportunities to optimise service delivery, improve value-for-money outcomes and maximise the effectiveness of the outsourced administration arrangement.
• Risk management, remediation and operational assurance: Oversee administration-related operational risks, incidents, issues, controls, assurance activities and remediation work, ensuring appropriate monitoring, evidence, escalation and closure processes are in place. Provide effective challenge to the administrator regarding risk management, control effectiveness, remediation plans and service delivery outcomes. Ensure material operational, commercial, regulatory, remediation and relationship risks are escalated to the Chief Transformation Officer as appropriate.
• Leadership and team management: Lead the Administration team and Line 1 Risk Administration team, providing clear direction, coaching and leadership to foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and high performance. Provide timely review, feedback and guidance on team outputs, reporting, governance papers, risk assessments and administration oversight activities. Support the team in managing complex issues and stakeholder engagements, including escalated matters involving the administrator and cross-functional business stakeholders. Report emerging risks or other operational matters to the Chief Transformation Officer.
• Transformation and continuous improvement: Lead the implementation of administration governance, remediation, service performance and operating model improvements, ensuring transformation outcomes are embedded into business-as-usual practices. Maintain awareness of industry developments, emerging administration practices and regulatory expectations to ensure Team Super continues to operate at leading market standards. Accountable for establishment and monitoring of all outsourced fund administration governance arrangements and management practices.
• Strategic support: Provide ad hoc and ongoing support to the Chief Transformation Officer to facilitate the achievement of Team Super’s strategic objectives, including strategic initiatives, commercial reviews, due diligence activities and other activities relating to the administration portfolio and key service provider relationships.

Qualifications: Relevant undergrad or postgrad qualifications in related or relevant disciplines desirable.
Skills and Experience: Mandatory recent experience in senior roles within outsourced fund administration context of superannuation. Mandatory business domain and technical knowledge in areas across superannuation administration, insurance in super, contact centre and operational risk management. Highly desirable business domain and technical knowledge in areas across audit / assurance, unit pricing, technology, regulatory reform and change management. Proven ability to build strong relationships with external vendors and suppliers, executive and internal business unit stakeholders. Proven leadership experience in mentoring and coaching teams to drive positive cultural engagement and excellence in delivering strong organisational outcomes.

If you are an experienced fund administration leader ready to take on this exciting opportunity, we would like to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and suitability for this role.