Strategic Technology Lead Cyber Defence Detection at Government Communications Security Bureau, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Shape the future of New Zealand's cyber‑defence capabilities. Lead the design, delivery and stewardship of strategic technology investments that protect the nation's critical assets.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is seeking a strategically minded technologist to be the NCSC's foremost authority on Cyber Defence and Detection Technology Capabilities. The role provides deep specialist expertise, technical leadership and oversight to ensure the successful delivery of strategic investments and operational Cyber Defence Capability.

In this pivotal role, you will be operating at the highest technical level. You will be the go‑to expert for complex, high‑risk problems that have no precedent, balancing technical excellence with strategic advice for senior leaders to shape investment decisions.

About the role

As a key member of the NCSC's Capability Branch Senior Leadership group, you will report to the NCSC's Chief Technology Officer to deliver:

• Technical Leadership: Provide specialist authoritative technical leadership across the entirety of the NCSC's Cyber Defence Capability portfolio, resolve unprecedented, high‑risk technical problems with innovative judgement.
• Strategic Leadership: Provide direct assurance to Senior Leadership on the technical quality, feasibility and delivery of future-focused technology capability that are aligned with NCSC's priorities. Translate complex, organisation‑wide challenges into clear, executable work programmes that align with national cyber‑security strategy.
• Stakeholder and Relationship Management: Maintain extensive insight on FVEY Partner efforts in order to align, calibrate and ensure interoperability of Cyber Defence Missions across FVEYs. Represent the NCSC in cross‑agency forums, inter‑governmental working groups and international partner meetings.
• Project Management: Provide project management functions in pursuit of the delivery of cyber defence capabilities across the NCSC, ensuring that whole-of-life is factored into delivery. Ensuring that practices adhere to agreed Project Management frameworks and expectations with the NZIC.

About you

We are seeking a senior technologist with a proven track record of leadership in a complex, high-stakes environment. You will possess:

• Extensive experience in information technology and solution development
• Recognised as a subject matter authority on Cyber Defence Capabilities, with significant contribution to leadership in the field
• Proven ability to influence senior leadership decisions on strategy, investment and risk.
• Exceptional problem-solving ability, particularly in ambiguous and high-risk contexts.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills, with proven ability to operate credibility at the executive and sector level, and across industry partners.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, with the ability to translate complex challenges into clear, deliverable work programmes.
• Demonstrated expertise in senior stakeholder management, negotiation, and influence.
• A strong commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
  
  

Shape the future of New Zealand's cyber defence capabilities and strategic technology investments. If you are a senior technologist with extensive experience in cyber defence and a proven track record of leadership in a complex, high-stakes environment, we want to hear from you.

Before you apply

Working within our unique environment means we have to ensure you're eligible for employment.

You must:

• Have been a New Zealand Citizen for at least 10 years

OR

Hold a current NZ Residency Class Visa and ideally have been a citizen of the UK, USA, Canada or Australia for at least 10 years

• Be eligible to obtain a Top Secret Special (TSS) security clearance
  • Ordinarily, this means you'll have a 15-year checkable background in countries NZSIS Vetting can make meaningful and reliable checks.
    
    

Still unsure? Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a TSS security clearance: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

The NZIC treats all applications for employment in the strictest confidence, and we expect that you maintain a similar level of confidentiality during the recruitment process and throughout your career.

We'll provide you with information and tips throughout the recruitment process, but in the meantime check out our Myth Busting booklet: https://beyondordinary.nzic.govt.nz/mythbusting

You can also learn more about our work and understand our areas of focus by reading New Zealand's Security Threat Environment | New Zealand Security Intelligence Service