Head of Platforms and Security

About us

At Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI), we’ve got your back in the moments that matter. We are part of the Southern Cross group of brands which all focus on wellbeing. This means we support our people to do and be their best every day.

SCTI is proud to be the market leader in New Zealand and growing in Australia, and we’re just getting started. Travel is changing, and so are our customers’ needs. That’s why we’re here with real care, reassurance, and smart solutions to keep people moving confidently. We’re travellers at heart, and we bring that spirit into everything we do - innovating, improving, and going further together.

Our culture is inclusive and values driven. We empower our people to make decisions, share ideas, and succeed. When you join SCTI, you’re joining a team that’s passionate about creating extraordinary outcomes for our customers and for each other.

About the role:

This is a senior opportunity to shape the platforms and services that enable SCTI to operate securely, reliably and confidently. You’ll lead our Platforms & Security function across cloud, identity, modern workplace, technology operations, DevOps enablement and cyber security, setting clear direction while staying close enough to the work to make sound, practical decisions.

You’ll have genuine scope to lift service performance, strengthen resilience and simplify how we work. Leading three specialists and working with key technology partners, you’ll turn platform health and technology risk into clear priorities that support our people, customers and future growth.

Key responsibilities:

• Set and maintain the platform strategy, standards, operating model and investment roadmap across cloud, infrastructure, identity and modern workplace.
• Lead the operation and evolution of Microsoft Azure, govern selected AWS services and oversee infrastructure as code, automation, observability and FinOps practices.
• Own service performance across Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Intune, Teams, Exchange Online, OneDrive, SharePoint Online and Windows endpoints.
• Establish clear service levels and improvement plans across internal and outsourced services, holding suppliers accountable for performance and outcomes.
• Lead the response to major technology and cyber incidents, coordinating teams and partners while providing clear communication to senior stakeholders.
• Set cyber security direction and oversee governance, monitoring, vulnerability management, incident response and third-party assurance.
• Own SCTI’s Information Security Management System and ISO27001 certification readiness, including audit coordination, evidence and remediation.
• Coach and develop a team of three specialists, building sustainable capability, shared ownership and strong operational disciplines.

About you:

You’ll be a people-focused platforms leader who pairs strategic thinking with strong operational depth. You bring calm judgement, communicate technology risk in clear business terms and take pride in helping your team and partners deliver their best work.

• Significant leadership experience across cloud platforms, infrastructure, technology operations or platform engineering.
• Strong practical knowledge of Microsoft Azure and working knowledge of AWS, with an understanding of cloud governance, reliability, resilience and cost management.
• Experience leading internally delivered and outsourced technology services, including supplier relationships, contracts, service levels and operational escalation.
• Sound cyber security leadership experience, with the confidence to lead specialist capability without needing to be the deepest hands-on security engineer.
• Experience owning or materially leading an ISO27001 Information Security Management System, audits, control testing and remediation.
• Proven experience leading major incidents and communicating clearly with executives, business stakeholders and suppliers.
• A team-first leadership style, with experience coaching people, building capability and creating shared accountability.
• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent substantial experience. Relevant cloud, service management or security certifications are beneficial, but not essential.

Why you’ll love working with us

We believe work should fit around life, not the other way around. When you join SCTI, you’ll enjoy perks that make a real difference for you and your whānau:

• Health and wellbeing first - fully subsidised medical insurance for you and your immediate family
• Travel and pet perks - discounted travel and pet insurance, plus special deals for your whānau
• Family-friendly benefits - extra parental leave benefits when it matters most
• Peace of mind - life and terminal illness insurance
• Time for you - five days of wellbeing leave every year, plus the option to buy extra flexi-leave
• Flexibility that works - hybrid working options so you can work from home part of the week

Because when we say we’ve got your back, we mean it - at work and in life.

Our commitment to diversity

Just like the places our customers travel to, our people are wonderfully diverse. We’re committed to creating an inclusive culture where every voice is heard and every perspective is valued. Applications are welcome from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life.

Want to apply?

If you’re ready to shape reliable, secure platforms and lead a capable team through its next stage, this could be your opportunity.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Please send us your CV and cover letter.

Applicants for this position must meet legal requirements to work in New Zealand.