Strategic Technology Lead Cyber Defence Detection

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
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.
Location for this position is flexible dependent on suitable secure work environment availability.
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.
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 #
9274
Location(s)
Wellington
Salary
Band J $142,093 (90%) - $181,564(115%)
Midpoint of the salary range (100%) reflects full competence in the role
Closes on
16 Nov 2025 23:55
Work type(s)
Permanent full-time
Job level(s)
Experienced, Management
Expertise
Cyber Security, Management, Information Technology, Security & Intelligence