Senior Security Consultant

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

NCS Australia seeks an experienced Senior Security Consultant to deliver independent assurance for a high-profile AI and cyber security initiative. You will provide objective assessments to support executive decisions and challenge the strategic and technical approach as needed.

You will review the initiative's rationale, controls, delivery model, and cost assumptions, then document findings and deliver practical recommendations to strengthen project outcomes.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering independent assurance, cyber security reviews, or governance assessments on large-scale programs.
• Strong understanding of Frontier AI, AI-related risks, and AI-enabled cyber threats.
• Demonstrated expertise in cyber security governance, risk management, security architecture, technology strategy, resilience, and assurance frameworks.
• Experience evaluating business cases, investment proposals, operating models, workforce capabilities, project delivery approaches, and organisational readiness.
• Ability to critically assess complex technical and business information, challenge assumptions, and provide evidence-based recommendations to executive stakeholders and Boards.
• Excellent analytical, stakeholder engagement, communication, presentation, and report-writing skills.
• Experience working within highly regulated environments such as government, financial services, or critical infrastructure sectors is highly desirable.
• Tertiary qualifications in Cyber Security, Information Technology, Computer Science, Risk Management, Engineering, or a related discipline; relevant certifications highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Deliver independent assurance for AI and cyber security initiative.
• Assess strategic rationale, technical approach, control environment and costs.
• Prepare executive and Board reports with practical recommendations.
• Develop assurance frameworks and document findings.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to maintain independence and objectivity.

Skills

Independent assurance

Cyber security reviews

Governance assessments

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Executive reporting

Analytical skills

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Cyber Security/IT/CS/Risk Mgmt/Engineering

Tools

CISSP

CISM

CRISC

CCSP

SABSA

TOGAF

Job description

At NCS Australia, we're the challenger alternative in technology services and consulting. With more than 47 years of Australian heritage, we partner with governments and leading organisations to solve complex challenges, embrace new opportunities and deliver outcomes that make a real difference.

Our people bring together expertise across technology, consulting, delivery, operations, sales and corporate functions. We work collaboratively, challenge the status quo and give our people the opportunity to make an impact - for our clients, our communities and each other.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Security Consultant to deliver independent assurance for a high-profile AI and cyber security initiative. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong cyber security, risk, and governance expertise who can provide objective, evidence-based assessments and recommendations to support executive and Board-level decision-making.

The successful candidate will conduct a comprehensive review of the initiative's strategic rationale, technical approach, control environment, delivery model, resourcing, and cost assumptions. Working closely with senior stakeholders and subject matter experts, the consultant will assess the effectiveness of proposed security controls, identify risks and gaps, evaluate alternative options, and provide independent challenge to ensure informed decision-making. The role also involves developing assurance frameworks, reviewing evidence, documenting findings, preparing executive and Board reports, and delivering practical recommendations to enhance project outcomes. While collaborating with a broad range of stakeholders, the consultant must maintain independence and objectivity, providing unbiased assurance without assuming any operational or management responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering independent assurance, cyber security reviews, or governance assessments across large-scale technology, cyber security, digital transformation, or resilience programs, preferably valued at over AUD $10 million.
• Strong understanding of Frontier AI, AI-related risks, AI-enabled cyber threats, and the effectiveness of preventative, detective, and responsive security controls.
• Demonstrated expertise in cyber security governance, risk management, security architecture, technology strategy, resilience, and assurance frameworks.
• Experience evaluating business cases, investment proposals, operating models, workforce capabilities, project delivery approaches, and organisational readiness.
• Ability to critically assess complex technical and business information, challenge assumptions, and provide evidence-based recommendations to executive stakeholders and Boards.
• Excellent analytical, stakeholder engagement, communication, presentation, and report-writing skills.
• Experience working within highly regulated environments such as government, financial services, or critical infrastructure sectors is highly desirable.
• Tertiary qualifications in Cyber Security, Information Technology, Computer Science, Risk Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Relevant industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CCSP, SABSA, TOGAF, or equivalent will be highly regarded.
• Must be eligible to obtain security clearance.

Additional Information

Why NCS?

This is a place for people who like to get stuck in, bring ideas to life and make things happen. You'll work alongside experienced people who care about what they do, contribute to meaningful work and have the support to keep learning and grow your career. Whether you want to deepen your expertise, explore something new or take your career in a different direction, there's room to make it your own. We value Adventure, Excellence, Integrity, Ownership and Unity - bringing curiosity, collaboration and accountability to the way we work with our clients and each other.

Ready to make extraordinary happen?

We celebrate diversity and inclusion

We value different perspectives, experiences and strengths our people bring. We're committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to contribute, grow and succeed, and to providing equal employment opportunities and reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Applicants will need valid Australian work rights and may be required to undergo relevant background, probity and police checks.

Agencies:

NCS accepts candidate submissions only from agencies on our preferred supplier panel through the NCS Agency Portal.