Cyber Security Manager

Salary: Hourly rate 6m FTC, potential to extend to 12m

Cyber Security Manager – Contract

Christchurch preferred | Initial six-month contract | Potential to extend to 12 months

• Lead a small security team, reporting directly to the CIO.

• Combine security governance, technical oversight and practical delivery.

• Help strengthen security capability within an established software business.

Our client is an established New Zealand software business seeking an experienced Cyber Security Manager to lead its security function through a period of continued growth and technology evolution.

This initial six-month contract offers broad responsibility across security operations, governance, risk, compliance and customer assurance. You’ll work closely with technology and business leaders to turn agreed security priorities into practical improvements, balancing risk with operational and commercial needs.

About the role

Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, you’ll lead two specialists across security GRC and technical security. You’ll provide clear direction, support their development and coordinate security delivery across the wider business.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Translating the security roadmap into prioritised work plans and measurable outcomes.

• Managing security risks, controls and treatment plans, with clear reporting to senior stakeholders.

• Maintaining and improving security policies, the information security management system, and governance processes.

• Supporting audits, certifications, customer security reviews, contract assessments and due diligence.

• Overseeing operational security and secure configuration standards across cloud, SaaS, servers and endpoints.

• Providing security input into architecture, solution design and technology changes.

• Improving monitoring and assurance through automation and more effective processes.

• Implementing agreed AI security controls covering data handling, access, acceptable use and human oversight.

About you

You’ll bring experience leading a cyber security team, programme or function, alongside the technical understanding to challenge decisions and guide practical implementation.

You’ll be comfortable discussing risk with senior leaders, working through controls with engineers, and responding to customers and auditors with clear, credible advice.

We’re looking for:

• A strong background spanning security governance, risk, compliance and operational security.

• Working knowledge of recognised frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST, Cyber Essentials Plus or equivalent.

• Experience supporting audits, security assurance and customer due diligence.

• Sound understanding of cloud, SaaS and hybrid infrastructure security.

• Evidence of delivering practical security improvements.

• A collaborative leadership style and the ability to coordinate work across teams.

• Relevant security certifications or equivalent practical experience.

Experience in software, SaaS, financial services or another regulated environment would be valuable. Exposure to security automation, managed security providers and AI governance would also be useful.

Why consider this contract?

You’ll have direct access to the CIO, a small specialist team to lead, and the opportunity to deliver visible improvements across a broad security remit. The initial engagement is for six months, with potential to extend to 12 months.

Christchurch is the preferred location. Reach out to Maia from Crescent Consulting for a chat or apply here!