Protective Security Requirements

Join our diverse and talented people and work at the heart of national security, providing essential intelligence to the NZ government to protect New Zealand and its people.
At the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) | Te Pā Whakamarumaru, we are dedicated to our mission of keeping Aotearoa New Zealand and our people safe and secure. We collect, analyse and assess intelligence to protect New Zealand from threats such as foreign interference, espionage and terrorism.
The role
Lead the Protective Security Requirements (PSR) function across government and drive improved capability to protect New Zealand's information, people and assets from harm.
Day to day, you'll have overall leadership and oversight of the teams which deliver PSR advisory, channels, policy and enablement functions, ensuring high-quality customer service for our diverse range of government and non-government stakeholders. You will ensure New Zealand's best practice protective security policy framework is at the leading edge of international trends and remains effective in a dynamic threat environment. You will lead development of new security advice and campaigns that respond to emerging threats, including from foreign interference and espionage. You will oversee the annual PSR assurance process for government, as well as a growing protective security capability building programme with Pacific partners.
In this Tier 3, leader-of-leaders role, you will help shape organisational and Directorate strategy and business plans. You will also assist the Director-General of NZSIS in their functional lead role as the Government Protective Security Lead.
Who we're looking for
**Ideally, you will bring**:
Significant leadership and management experience (ideally as a leader of leaders), including demonstrated success in building and maintaining highly performing teams, delivering results, and leading change through others.
Superior stakeholder and communication skills, including experience building and maintaining positive and productive stakeholder relationships at CE/senior level.
Experience leading service delivery and/or engagement and/or public sector policy development functions (ideally across government).
Extensive knowledge of the NZ public sector and the machinery of government.
Demonstrated judgement, critical thinking and interpersonal skills to understand, prioritise and articulate business requirements so that these are met.
Demonstrated ability to identify and manage risk, and contribute to organisational strategy, policy and capability.
Financial, resource management and performance reporting experience.
Bring your outstanding leadership and help us steward the Protective Security Requirements function as it continues making a positive difference to the security of New Zealand.
Appointing range for this role is expected to be between $168,953 - $180,217.
Why work for us
Alongside getting to work with other talented people, we also offer a range of comprehensive benefits which include:
Medical Insurance and Vision Care packages
Enhanced employer contributions to your Kiwisaver
Generous Leave benefits, including additional paid days off and enhanced sick and parental leave
Childcare allowance for your preschoolers
Onsite free gym
Opportunities for personal and professional growth and career pathways across the intelligence community
Great work-life balance
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.
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
Job Details
Reference #
9186
Location(s)
Wellington
Salary
Band K $168,953 (90%) - $215,885 (115%)
Midpoint of the salary range (100%) reflects full competence in the role
Closes on
26 Oct 2025 23:55
Work type(s)
Permanent full-time
Job level(s)
Management
Expertise
Management, Security & Intelligence