Technology Risk & Assurance Leader — AI-Driven Risk

Southern Cross Health Insurance; Auckland; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five days wellbeing leave per year (pr

Health insurance for you and family

Life insurance + discounts on pet and/

Parental leave benefits and financialW

Workplace wellbeing programme

Flexi leave for study/volunteering

Job summary

Southern Cross Health Insurance is recruiting an Auckland-based Technology Risk and Assurance Lead to establish and lead our technology risk and assurance function. This role ensures technology, cyber, data and third-party risks are identified, assessed and managed, while providing assurance to the Executive Leadership Team and Board that controls operate effectively.

You’ll enable innovation, including AI adoption, through practical risk-management frameworks and evidence-based assurance,

Qualifications

• Experience leading and developing specialist technology risk, assurance or audit teams.
• Extensive experience in technology risk, IT audit or assurance in regulated sectors such as insurance, financial services or healthcare.
• Professional qualifications such as CISA, CRISC, CISM, CISSP or comparable credentials.
• Knowledge of control design and testing across cloud platforms, SaaS, IAM, change management and operational resilience.
• Experience applying ISO 27001, CIS Controls, NIST CSF and COBIT.
• Ability to translate complex technical risks into clear insights for executives and the Board.
• Strong analytical ability and comfort using data and AI-enabled tools for assurance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a small, high-performing Technology Risk and Assurance team.
• Manage the technology risk framework, including risk assessments, risk registers, risk appetite monitoring, treatment plans and reporting.
• Design, test and evidence technology controls using data-driven and automated approaches.
• Partner with Value Streams, Architecture and Delivery teams to embed risk management early in the delivery lifecycle.
• Lead assurance activities supporting ISO 27001 implementation and oversee specialist assurance resources.
• Coordinate internal audit, external audit and regulatory engagements, ensuring findings are addressed effectively and sustainably.
• Assess technology, vendor and AI-related risks and provide clear, pragmatic recommendations to stakeholders.
• Prepare executive and Board-level risk and assurance reporting that supports informed decision-making.

Skills

Team leadership

Technology risk

IT audit

Regulated sectors

CISA/CRISC/CISM/CISSP

Cloud & IAM

ISO27001/NIST/COBIT

Executive reporting

Data/AI tools

Job description

Southern Cross Health Insurance is recruiting an Auckland-based Technology Risk and Assurance Lead to establish and lead our technology risk and assurance function. This role ensures technology, cyber, data and third-party risks are identified, assessed and managed, while providing assurance to the Executive Leadership Team and Board that controls operate effectively.

You’ll enable innovation, including AI adoption, through practical risk-management frameworks and evidence-based assurance,