Principal - Risk, Compliance & Site Leadership (Pune)

Job Summary

Focus of the role

In this role you will ensure robust risk management, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience across Telstra India operations. You will align India's risk posture with Telstra's enterprise frameworks and foster a strong compliance culture, while driving vibrant culture and engagement at Telstra Pune.

Job Summary

This role will be responsible for leading the planning, monitoring, and management of all first-line (L1) risks at an India level. It includes business risks, regulatory compliance, Business Continuity Planning (BCP), incident and crisis management, and ensuring operational resilience. The role will sit on the Telstra India Leadership Team and report directly to the India Country Head. This role will also be the Pune Site lead, driving and orchestrating employee engagement, site level activities and key leadership visits.

What You'll Do

Reporting to the India Country Head, you will be responsible for leading the planning, monitoring, and management of all first-line (L1) risks at an India level. This will include business risks, regulatory compliance, Business Continuity Planning (BCP), incident and crisis management, and ensuring operational resilience. On the Telstra India Leadership Team, you will also be the Pune Site lead, driving and orchestrating employee engagement, site level activities and key leadership visits.

Key responsibilities will be:

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Defining and implementing the India Risk & Compliance strategy, aligned with Telstra's global frameworks and regulatory obligations.

• Maintaining and overseeing the India risk register, mitigation plans, and compliance metrics.

• Chairing governance forums and escalating potential risks or breaches to senior leadership.

Risk Management & Resilience

• Leading Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and Incident Management programs, ensuring readiness for disruption scenarios.

• Driving proactive risk identification, assessment, and mitigation across all business units and enabling functions.

• Overseeing compliance self-assessments, control reviews, and internal/external audit readiness.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Acting as the primary liaison for risk and compliance matters with India Leadership Team, global risk teams, and regulatory bodies.

• Fostering a strong compliance culture through training, awareness, and communication initiatives.

Operational Excellence

• Ensuring timely reporting to Global Audit and Risk Committees and adherence to Telstra's 3 Lines of Defense model.

• Implementing robust monitoring and assurance mechanisms for compliance and risk controls.

Pune Site Leadership

• Acting as Pune Site lead driving & orchestrating employee engagement, site level activities and advocating for the site.

• Driving Telstra Leadership visits to Pune, Quarterly All Hands, new joiner onboardings and other key external interactions (as required).

Team Management & Mentorship

• Building and mentoring a high-performing Risk & Compliance team.

• Promoting continuous learning and capability development within the team.

About you

To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• Risk Management Expertise: Deep knowledge of risk frameworks (e.g. COSO, ISO 31000), audit, assurance, and regulatory compliance.

• BCP & Incident Management: Proven experience in operational resilience, crisis response, and continuity planning.

• Regulatory Acumen: Familiarity with Indian regulatory landscape and global compliance standards (TSSR, GDPR, DPDP Act etc.).

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align risk strategy with business objectives and drive transformation.

• Leadership & Influence: Strong stakeholder management, decision-making, and ability to lead cross-functional teams.

• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Skilled in risk analysis, scenario planning, and data-driven decision-making.

• Communication & Collaboration: Exceptional ability to articulate complex risk concepts to diverse audiences.

• Technology Awareness: Understanding of cybersecurity risks, digital compliance, and risk automation tools.

• Relevant certifications are desirable (such as ISO BCM), or CIA).

What We Offer
We offer a range of great benefits, including:

• Flexibility and work life balance

• Performance-related pay

• Access to thousands of learning programs so you can level-up

• Global presence across 22 countries

• Opportunities to work where we do business.

• Other exciting applicable country specific benefits to be shared as you progress

Interested? Apply now
If this opportunity sounds like a perfect fit for you, we'd encourage you to apply

Please note, due to the upcoming festive season, the recruitment process for this role will not commence until early 2026. We appreciate your application and look forward to connecting with you on your interest in the position in the New Year.

As part of your application with Telstra, you may receive communications from us on for job applications in Australia) and for job applications in the Philippines and India).