• Shape and drive enterprise-wide cyber resilience
• Join a values-driven organisation committed to sustainability
• Competitive salary + flexible working options

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

Waitaha - our Canterbury region - is like no other and we are proud to call it home. We have the privilege of working with Papatipu Rūnanga, stakeholders and our wider community to protect our environment, including water, land and air through regulation and planning. As a Regional Council we're responsible for flood protection, public transport, civil defence, and more.  

Together we're taking action to shape a thriving and resilient Canterbury, now and for future generations. Toitū te marae o Tāne, toitū te marae o Tangaroa, toitū te tangata | if the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive. 

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

As Cyber Security Principal, you’ll lead the development and implementation of our cyber security strategy, ensuring resilience and practical improvement changes are embedded across all operations. The role requires a balance of governance and hands-on expertise to ensure cyber resilience is not only planned but actively practiced. You’ll provide authoritative and advice on emerging threats, investment priorities, and risk appetite that will be reported to the Executive Leadership Team and Audit & Risk Committee.

Key responsibilities include:

• Define and drive long-term cyber security strategy aligned with organisational goals
• Provide assurance and advice to leadership and governance bodies
• Lead enterprise cyber security work programme and major incident response
• Shape workforce capability and mentor senior leaders

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

Mōu │ About You

You’re an experienced cyber security leader with a strategic mindset and a proven ability to influence at the highest level.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience  

You’ll have a tertiary qualification in Computer Science, IT, or cyber security along with:

• Relevant certifications (CISSP, CISM, CEH, CompTIA Security+)
• 10+ years in IT/cyber security roles, including 5+ years in senior leadership
• Expertise in cyber security practices, governance, and cyber security frameworks
• Experience with Microsoft’s cybersecurity suite (e.g., Defender, Sentinel) and cloud platforms like Azure preferred.
• Strong knowledge of NZISM, NIST, ISO27001, and sector best practice

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury  

Our mahi is underpinned by our values:

• Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
• Pononga (integrity)
• Manaakitanga (people first)
• Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
• Māiatanga (can do)

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.

Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information

Applications close on Wednesday 12 November.  Applications will be reviewed as we receive them, and interviews may take place before the close date. We reserve the right to close advertising early.  

Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. 

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

Hours of work – Permanent full-time position 40 hours per week - From time to time, as required, the role may require work outside of normal work hours for emergency and flood response and to represent Environment Canterbury at meetings and events with partners, other agencies, and the community. 

Location - This position is predominantly based at 200 Tuam Street, Christchurch.
Salary - The indictive salary range for role is $118,848 to $146,812 per annum depending on skills and experience. The specific salary will be discussed at interview stage.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can