📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Head of Lender Partnerships
🔹 Company: REA Group
🔹 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Financial Services
🔹 Date Posted: July 11, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Sydney-based) with hybrid work arrangements
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading and managing the Lender Partnership team to drive strategic partnerships with panel lenders and banks.
- Collaborating with various functions within REA Group to maximize partnership outcomes and deliver value to brokers and consumers.
- Negotiating partnership development funding and optimizing lender mix, terms, and panel agreements.
- Monitoring market trends, competitor activity, and regulatory changes to maintain a strong competitive position.
- Representing Mortgage Choice to external stakeholders and advocating for the needs of the broker and franchisee network.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and extensive experience in mortgage, banking, or financial services to succeed.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead and manage the Lender Partnership team, including Lender Partnerships Managers and Analysts.
✅ Oversee and develop strategic partnerships with panel lenders and banks, ensuring alignment with Mortgage Choice and REA’s commercial objectives.
✅ Collaborate closely with Distribution, Operations, Franchise, Product, and Marketing functions to maximize partnership outcomes and evolve the Mortgage Choice offering.
✅ Drive initiatives that support lender onboarding, relationship management, and ongoing panel performance.
✅ Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and regulatory changes impacting lender partnerships.
✅ Represent Mortgage Choice to external stakeholders and advocate for the needs of the broker and franchisee network.
✅ Work with internal risk, compliance, legal, and operations teams to ensure all lender relationships meet regulatory, reputational, and operational requirements.
✅ Develop, track, and report on partnership performance KPIs to support executive and board-level insights and continuous improvement.
✅ Lead, coach, and develop team members to ensure ongoing capability uplift in partnership management and bank engagement.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of stakeholder engagement, both internally and externally, and requires strong communication and collaboration skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Business, Finance, or Economics).
Experience: 10+ years of experience in mortgage, banking, or financial services, with a focus on partner management, lender relations, or channel strategy.
Required Skills:
- Proven leadership and people management skills.
- Strong commercial acumen to align partnership work with business growth, negotiate agreements, and drive outcomes.
- In-depth knowledge of mortgage lending products, industry trends, and regulatory requirements.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills with credibility at executive and industry levels.
- Proven record of delivering operational improvements and partnership innovations using market insights and feedback.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with product, distribution, marketing, risk, and compliance teams.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in a hybrid or agile environment.
- Familiarity with the Australian property and finance industry.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with relevant experience in partner management, lender relations, or channel strategy within the financial services industry are strongly encouraged to apply.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Head of Lender Partnerships role in Sydney, the estimated salary range is AUD 180,000 - 220,000 per annum, plus superannuation.
Benefits:
- Flexible leave options, including birthday leave and the ability to purchase additional leave.
- Flexible parental leave offering for primary and secondary carers.
- Volunteering leave, community grants, matched payroll giving, and the Community Café donating 100% of revenue to charity.
- Hackdays to bring big ideas to life.
Working Hours: Full-time position with a hybrid work arrangement (on-site in Sydney with flexible remote work options).
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: REA Group operates in the technology, information, and media industry, focusing on the property sector.
Company Size: REA Group has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Founded: REA Group was founded in 1995 and has since grown to become a leading digital business in the property industry.
Company Description:
- REA Group is a leading digital business with more than 2,800 people working towards changing the way the world experiences property.
- The company helps people with all aspects of their property experience, offering a suite of integrated products and services to provide access to the largest and most engaged audience of Australian property seekers.
- REA Group is committed to supporting a sustainable future and is a Climate Active certified carbon neutral organisation.
Company Specialties:
- Online property listings and search platforms.
- Property data and insights.
- Home financing solutions.
- Digital media and advertising services.
Company Website: http://www.rea-group.com
ASSUMPTION: REA Group's focus on innovation, collaboration, and sustainability creates an engaging work environment for employees.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior leadership position, reporting directly to the Head of Financial Services.
Reporting Structure: The Head of Lender Partnerships will lead the Lender Partnership team and collaborate with various functions within REA Group, including Distribution, Operations, Franchise, Product, and Marketing.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with a combination of on-site work in Sydney and flexible remote work options.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a more senior role within the Financial Services Group or other lines of business at REA Group.
- Expanding the Lender Partnership team and taking on additional responsibilities as the business grows.
- Developing expertise in strategic partnership management and lender relations within the financial services industry.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within REA Group and the broader financial services industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: REA Group's Sydney office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and creativity.
Office Location(s): 309 Kent Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, AU
Geographic Context:
- Sydney is the largest city in Australia and offers a vibrant, multicultural lifestyle with numerous attractions, restaurants, and entertainment options.
- The Sydney office is centrally located, with easy access to public transportation and amenities.
- The city has a temperate climate, with mild winters and warm summers, making it an enjoyable place to live and work year-round.
Work Schedule: The standard workweek is Monday to Friday, with flexible hours and the option to work remotely on certain days.
ASSUMPTION: The Sydney office provides a dynamic and engaging work environment, with easy access to amenities and a vibrant city culture.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the REA Group careers portal.
- Phone or video screening with the Talent Acquisition team.
- In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and relevant stakeholders.
- Final round interviews, which may include a presentation or case study component.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Cultural fit and alignment with REA Group's values.
- Demonstrated experience in partner management, lender relations, or channel strategy within the financial services industry.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Leadership and team management capabilities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills.
- Research REA Group's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit with the organization.
ATS Keywords: Lender Partnerships, Mortgage, Banking, Financial Services, Partner Management, Lender Relations, Channel Strategy, Leadership, Commercial Acumen, Stakeholder Engagement, Communication Skills, Operational Improvements, Partnership Innovations, Collaboration, Problem Solving, Customer Service, Agility, Team Development
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should tailor their application materials to emphasize their relevant experience and skills, as well as their fit with REA Group's company culture and values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with relevant tools and technologies is essential for success in this role, as the Head of Lender Partnerships will be responsible for managing and analyzing data, as well as collaborating with various teams within REA Group.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer Obsessed: We put our customers first in all that we do.
- Collaborative: We work together to achieve more.
- Innovative: We embrace change and continuously improve.
- Bold: We take calculated risks and challenge the status quo.
- Accountable: We take ownership of our work and deliver on our commitments.
Work Style:
- Agile and adaptable, with a focus on delivering results and driving growth.
- Collaborative and inclusive, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and open communication.
- Data-driven and analytical, with a focus on using insights to inform decision-making.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of building and managing strategic partnerships at a senior level within the financial services industry?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, agile environment and collaborating with various teams to drive outcomes?
- Do you possess strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to coach and develop team members to ensure ongoing capability uplift?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should assess their fit with REA Group's company values and work style, as well as their relevant experience and skills, to determine their suitability for this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple stakeholders and competing priorities within a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Navigating complex regulatory requirements and industry changes within the financial services sector.
- Balancing the need to drive growth and innovation with the requirement to maintain strong, long-term partnerships with lenders.
- Adapting to a hybrid work arrangement, with a combination of on-site and remote work.
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to face these potential challenges and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique within REA Group, as it focuses specifically on lender partnerships and strategic growth within the financial services sector.
- Similar roles in other organizations may include Head of Partnerships, Head of Lender Relations, or Head of Channel Strategy within the financial services industry.
- Career progression in this role may lead to senior leadership positions within REA Group's Financial Services Group or other lines of business.
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should research similar roles within the financial services industry to understand the unique aspects of this opportunity and how it aligns with their career goals.
📝 Sample Projects
- Negotiating partnership development funding with a major lender to expand their presence on realestate.com.au and drive growth for both parties.
- Optimizing the lender mix and terms to improve the value proposition for brokers and consumers, while maintaining a strong competitive position.
- Developing and implementing a strategic plan to onboard new lenders and expand the Mortgage Choice panel, in line with market trends and consumer demand.
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to discuss their relevant experience and skills in relation to these sample projects, as well as their ability to drive strategic growth and innovation within the financial services sector.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of the lender panel and the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does the Lender Partnership team collaborate with other functions within REA Group, such as Distribution, Operations, and Marketing?
- What are the key challenges facing the Mortgage Choice business, and how can this role contribute to driving growth and innovation in the face of these challenges?
- How does REA Group support the professional development and career growth of its employees, particularly within the Financial Services Group?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does this role fit into that framework?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and their understanding of the business, as well as their fit with REA Group's company culture and values.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the REA Group careers portal.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, using the ATS keywords provided.
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills.
- Research REA Group's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit with the organization.
- Follow up with the hiring manager or Talent Acquisition team within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the role.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
