Manager Security Assurance

Nz Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Auckland; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks’ annual leave

Income protection

Flexible working

Professional development

Critical illness insurance

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is seeking an experienced security assurance leader to head its independent Security Assurance function, guiding a team of five specialists. You will provide executives and the Board with confidence that security risks are understood, managed and transparently reported.

You will own the enterprise assurance programme, test control effectiveness and deliver evidence-based security positions for internal and external oversight bodies.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading independent security assurance, audit or control effectiveness functions in a large, complex organisation.
• Expertise assessing cyber and protective security controls including in third-party and outsourced environments.
• Strong knowledge of NZISM and PSR applied through assurance rather than compliance.
• A track record of presenting assurance outcomes to executives, Boards and audit committees.
• The confidence to hold an independent position and elevate when findings aren't actioned.
• Experience leading and developing specialist assurance teams.
• Working knowledge of GRC and assurance tooling.
• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience. Certifications such as CISA, CISSP, CRISC or CISM held or being pursued.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and manage the assurance team and budget.
• Own and continuously improve NZTA’s enterprise security assurance programme and methodology.
• Test the design and operating effectiveness of cyber and protective security controls.
• Validate that risk treatments are actually closed, not just reported as closed.
• Identify systemic control weaknesses and escalation material findings with options.
• Report independently to the CISO, Digital Leadership Team and Board audit and risk processes.
• Lead engagement with auditors and other oversight bodies.

Skills

Security assurance

Audit leadership

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

GRC tooling

NZISM knowledge

Education

Tertiary qualification

CISA/CISSP/CRISC/CISM

Tools

GRC tooling

Job description

• Lead NZTA's independent security assurance function and a team of five
• Direct escalation line to the CISO and Board, unfiltered
• Test whether controls actually work, not just whether they exist
• Location: Auckland, Hamilton or Wellington

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We’re looking for an experienced security assurance professional to lead NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s (NZTA) independent Security Assurance function and a team of five specialists.

As Manager Security Assurance, you will provide executive leaders, governance forums and external stakeholders with confidence that security risks are understood, managed and transparently reported.

You’ll own the enterprise assurance programme, test whether our cyber and protective security controls actually work and give executives, the Board and external oversight bodies evidence-based confidence in our security position. That covers our own systems and the third parties we rely on.

The role is genuinely independent. You’ll set the assurance scope, method and conclusions, with direct escalation rights to the CISO and Board audit and risk processes. As a member of the Security Leadership Team you’ll bring that independent perspective to our security strategy and investment decisions.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Lead, develop and manage the assurance team and budget
• Own and continuously improve NZTA’s enterprise security assurance programme and methodology
• Test the design and operating effectiveness of cyber and protective security controls
• Validate that risk treatments are actually closed, not just reported as closed
• Identify systemic control weaknesses and escalation material findings with options
• Report independently to the CISO, Digital Leadership Team and Board audit and risk processes
• Lead engagement with auditors and other oversight bodies

You will find out more about the role here:

Position Description

Ko koe tēnei | About you

You will be an accomplished security assurance, audit or risk leader with experience operating in a large and complex environment, bringing credibility, sound judgement and the ability to influence at senior levels.

To Be Successful In This Role, You Will Bring

• Significant experience leading independent security assurance, audit or control effectiveness functions in a large, complex organisation
• Expertise assessing cyber and protective security controls including in third-party and outsourced environments
• Strong knowledge of NZISM and PSR applied through assurance rather than compliance
• A track record of presenting assurance outcomes to executives, Boards and audit committees
• The confidence to hold an independent position and elevate when findings aren't actioned
• Experience leading and developing specialist assurance teams
• Working knowledge of GRC and assurance tooling
• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience. Certifications such as CISA, CISSP, CRISC or CISM held or being pursued

Please note: You must be able to achieve and maintain a New Zealand national security clearance up to and including SECRET.

You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of, Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of, Te Tiriti o Waitangi as it applies in the public sector.

Mō mātou | About us

Te Aukaha | Digital provides modern, fit-for-purpose digital, information and technology solutions that support decision-making and make it easier for our people, partners and customers to work with us.

Our Security team enables NZTA to safely deliver its outcomes by reducing enterprise security risk across our people, places, information and technology.

Security Assurance provides independent assurance over the design, implementation and operation of the security controls NZTA relies on under the Protective Security Requirements. Coverage is planned on risk, conclusions aren’t subject to direction from any other function and we’re already using AI-assisted automation to make assurance faster and more evidence-driven.

Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in return

This is an opportunity to build and lead a critical enterprise assurance function that helps shape security outcomes across a complex, nationally significant organisation.

In Addition, You'll Benefit From

• Five weeks’ annual leave
• Income protection and critical illness insurance for permanent employees
• Flexible working arrangements, where appropriate for the role
• Opportunities for professional development and continued learning

Ready to take the next step in your security leadership career? We would love to hear from you.

Rā Katinga | Applications close

18 November 2026

For further information, email: [e-mail]

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.