Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Sydney Airport; Australia; On-site; AUD 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Sydney Airport is seeking a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to lead the organisation's Cyber Security function, protecting critical systems and data while ensuring resilience across operations. You will report to the COO with a dotted line to executive leadership, leading a team of security professionals and driving the cyber maturity journey.

The role emphasizes strategic oversight, cross-functional collaboration, and delivering meaningful security outcomes in a high-stakes critical

Qualifications

• Significant cyber security, information security or technology risk leadership in complex environments.
• Proven experience leading enterprise cyber security operations, governance and resilience programs.
• Track record in cyber maturity uplift, remediation programs and assurance activities.
• Experience with regulatory obligations and ISO27001.
• Ability to present cyber risk to executive committees and the Board.
• Strong leadership building high-performing cyber security teams.
• Resilience in crisis situations and high- pressure environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Sydney Airport's Cyber Security function, driving a high-performing team.
• Execute cyber security initiatives aligned to strategy, risk appetite and resilience goals.
• Oversee cyber security operations, risk management, resilience and control effectiveness.
• Lead cyber assurance activities, audits, testing programs and risk remediation.
• Partner with business leaders to embed cyber risk in decision-making and planning.
• Identify emerging cyber risks and provide strategic advice to executives and Board.
• Prepare and present cyber reporting and risk insights to leadership and Board.
• Champion a pragmatic, risk-based approach to security supporting resilience.

Skills

Cyber security leadership

Information security

Regulatory risk management

Board and exec communication

Crisis and incident leadership

Strategic thinking with execution

Team leadership

Education

Cyber security/IT degree

Certifications (CISSP/CISM/CRISC)

Job description

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

• Full-time

MAKE IT HAPPEN

At Sydney Airport, the future of air travel is shaped by you.

As a team, we connect the world. More than just a hub of activity and boundless energy, we’re creating a destination of amazing experiences. Like seeing wonderful moments unfold in front of you, knowing “I made that possible!”.

Dynamic. Fast-paced. We thrive in a place where fresh challenges land daily. Backed by positive and supportive team players and inspiring leaders, we adapt to change. Driven to grow. Owning every action. To do things better.

As smart, problem-solvers, we are always learning and growing. And that’s easier to do alongside passionate experts, as we collaborate across teams readily sharing our knowledge.

Each day is a new journey, as we bring an exciting vision to life. With significant capital investment in new, improved infrastructure, there’s never been a better time to expand your potential at Sydney Airport. The range of responsibilities and diverse pathways you can take on with us, are surprising.

We are SYD. United in the pride that comes with welcoming the world at Australia’s premier gateway.

About the team and the role

Sydney Airport operates one of Australia's most important pieces of critical infrastructure. As Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), you will lead the organisation's Cyber Security function, protecting critical systems, data and technology environments while helping ensure the ongoing resilience of airport operations. The role leads and executes Sydney Airport's enterprise cyber security strategy and acts as a trusted advisor to Executive leaders and the Board on cyber security, resilience and risk.

With a dotted line to the COO, you will lead an established team of cyber security professionals and play a critical role in strengthening cyber resilience across a complex operational environment. This is an opportunity to lead the next stage of Sydney Airport's cyber maturity journey, driving execution, developing capability and delivering meaningful outcomes while balancing strategic priorities with practical delivery.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to

• Lead and develop Sydney Airport's Cyber Security function, fostering a high-performing culture and strengthening organisational capability.
• Execute cyber security initiatives aligned to Sydney Airport's strategic objectives, risk appetite and resilience goals.
• Oversee cyber security operations, cyber risk management, resilience and control effectiveness across the organisation.
• Lead cyber assurance activities, including audits, independent testing programs, risk remediation and regulatory obligations.
• Partner with business and operational leaders to embed cyber risk management into decision-making and enterprise planning.
• Identify emerging cyber and regulatory risks, providing strategic advice and recommendations to executive leadership and the Board.
• Prepare and present cyber security reporting, resilience metrics and risk insights to the Executive Leadership Team, Board Committees and Board
• Champion a pragmatic and risk-based approach to security, ensuring outcomes support both resilience and operational effectiveness

About you

You are a proven cyber security leader who combines strategic thinking with a strong execution mindset. You have successfully led teams, delivered cyber security and resilience outcomes, and built trusted relationships across complex organisations.

You are pragmatic, influential and outcome focused. Comfortable engaging with Executive leadership, you can translate complex cyber security risks into practical business decisions while maintaining a strong focus on delivery, resilience and continuous improvement.

You’ll bring:

• Significant cyber security, information security or technology risk leadership experience within complex, highly regulated or critical infrastructure environments.
• Proven experience leading enterprise cyber security operations, governance, risk management and resilience programs.
• A track record of driving cyber maturity uplift, remediation programs, assurance activities and control effectiveness initiatives.
• Experience managing regulatory obligations, cyber compliance requirements and industry security frameworks, including exposure to Critical Infrastructure obligations and ISO27001.
• Demonstrated experience presenting cyber security, risk and resilience matters to Executive Committees, Board Committees and Boards.
• Strong leadership capability with experience building, developing and leading high-performing multidisciplinary cyber security teams.
• Sound judgement, resilience and the ability to lead effectively during cyber incidents, crisis situations and high‑pressure environments.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Cyber Security, Information Technology or a related discipline. CISSP, CISM, CRISC or equivalent certifications will be highly regarded.

This is a rare opportunity to lead cyber security for one of Australia's most recognised critical infrastructure organisations, influence enterprise-wide decision making and shape the ongoing resilience of an operation that never stops.

What we offer

To find out more about the amazing work environment here at SYD, be sure to check out theJoin ussection of Sydney Airport’s website, where you can also see more about our flexible culture and work practices, alongside our otherEmployee benefits, or take a look at ourLinkedIn Sydney Airport: Life page.

Make it Amazing

SYD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages all suitably qualified applicants to apply, including First Nations Australians, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.