Join Our High-Performing Cyber Security Team at UNSW
At UNSW, we’re driven by a bold vision: to deliver academic excellence, foster social engagement, and create global impact. Central to achieving these goals is our commitment to building a resilient and forward-thinking cyber security capability.
Over the past three years, our Cyber Security team has grown significantly and now comprises approximately 40 permanent experts across Governance, Engineering, Identity, and Incident Response. Additionally, 30 professionals contribute to our dedicated Cyber Security Program team. Together, we work as a cohesive unit to safeguard the University’s information assets and support its strategic priorities.
We believe that great teams are built through investment in people. That’s why we’ve designed our recruitment and team structure to provide development and learning opportunities that enable our team members to build lasting, impactful careers in cyber security. Beyond technical excellence, we emphasize the importance of communication, negotiation, and influencing skills—the attributes that elevate a good cyber security professional into a trusted advisor and leader. With a strong focus on coaching, training, and professional certifications, we ensure every team member has the resources to thrive and grow.
In collaboration with industry-leading technology and service providers, we’ve made significant strides in enhancing our cyber security maturity. Our efforts were recognized in October 2024 when we achieved certification to ISO/IEC 27001:2022. But we’re not stopping there. The dynamic threat landscape, emerging technologies, and increasing regulatory demands present ongoing challenges—and opportunities—for us to innovate and excel.
To continue building on our strong foundations, we are excited to announce several new opportunities in our Cyber Security team. These roles will focus on advancing our governance, compliance, controls assurance, and risk management capabilities, as well as helping to lead our engineering and incident response functions.
If you’re a cyber security professional with a growth mindset and a proven track record of delivering outstanding results, we’d love to hear from you. This is your chance to join a high-performing team that’s passionate about making a difference.
The Cyber Security Assurance Lead will lead the operational delivery and reporting of the Cyber Security Assurance Services within a fit-for-purpose and adaptive Cyber Security Risk Management framework. Responsible for the controls assurance testing, and the provision of cyber security subject matter expertise and reporting services to university stakeholders. The Cyber Security Assurance Lead reports to the Cyber Security Controls Assurance Manager and has no direct reports.
Skills and Experience:
- 5+ years of IT security experience, ideally with global consulting firms, large technology companies, government agencies, or defence consultancies.
- Thorough understanding of penetration testing, vulnerability management, application security testing, and source code review.
- Experience in a first-line assurance role, assessing controls for design and operating effectiveness; experience in security controls testing is advantageous but not mandatory.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and provide actionable insights for management and problem-solving skills to address challenges effectively.
- Strong fundamentals in Cyber Security Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) principles and practices.
- Comprehensive knowledge of industry standards and frameworks, such as ISO 27001, NIST 800-53, CSA, Essential 8, PCI DSS, COBIT 5, and MITRE ATT&CK.
- Bachelor’s degree in Cyber Security, Information Technology, or a related field.
- Relevant industry certifications such as CISA, CISSP, CRISC, or ISO 27001 Lead Auditor (highly desirable).
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and influence stakeholders at all organizational levels.
- Capability to present complex technical information in a concise, clear, and credible manner for diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated high level of personal motivation, resilience, and ability to work effectively individually or in teams.
- An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
- Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training. Pre-employment checks required for this position.
Applying for a Role!
To ensure your application stands out, please:
- Submit a concise CV (2–3 pages) that highlights your career history, key responsibilities, and major achievements.
- Include a cover letter that explains why you’re applying for the position and how your skills and experience align with the role.
Before applying, we encourage you to carefully review the position description to understand the key requirements. This is your opportunity to demonstrate why you’re the candidate we should be talking to.
Take the next step in your career—join UNSW’s Cyber Security team and help us shape the future.
Contact: Jen MacLachlan, email: j.maclachlan@unsw.edu.au
UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged.
