Hybrid Microsoft Security Operations Lead

DEFEND Limited; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver 3.5%

Health Insurance

Hybrid work environment

Home office allowance

EAP services

Job summary

DEFEND Limited in New Zealand is seeking a Microsoft Cybersecurity Operations Lead to optimise security platforms, governance, and operations for managed services clients. You’ll lead Microsoft security configurations, drive policy baselines, and collaborate with engineers, detection and response teams to strengthen customers’ security posture and value from Microsoft investments.

This hybrid role offers continuous improvement opportunities, strong stakeholder engagement, and a path to shaping

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge with Microsoft cybersecurity products.
• Deep understanding of identity security, device management, and Zero Trust.
• Experience designing and implementing Conditional Access and Intune policy.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Proven ability to balance operational support with platform improvement.
• Strong documentation, reporting, and governance capabilities.
• Commitment to continuous learning and platform optimisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the administration, configuration, and optimisation of Microsoft security platforms and related technologies.
• Work with the wider DEFEND team to develop and maintain security baselines, policies, and standards aligned to industry frameworks and best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement of our products and services that we deliver to our customers.
• Monitor platform health, performance, and effectiveness, proactively identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with customer stakeholders to understand security objectives and translate them into practical Microsoft security controls.
• Analyse emerging platform capabilities and recommend enhancements that improve security outcomes.
• Support incident response activities by providing platform expertise and security control insights.
• Coordinate with engineering, detection, and response teams to ensure security controls operate effectively across customer environments.

Skills

Microsoft security

Identity security

Zero Trust

Intune policy

Stakeholder engagement

Documentation

Tools

Intune

Conditional Access

Job description

DEFEND Limited in New Zealand is seeking a Microsoft Cybersecurity Operations Lead to optimise security platforms, governance, and operations for managed services clients. You’ll lead Microsoft security configurations, drive policy baselines, and collaborate with engineers, detection and response teams to strengthen customers’ security posture and value from Microsoft investments.

This hybrid role offers continuous improvement opportunities, strong stakeholder engagement, and a path to shaping