Principal Advisor Cybersecurity

Mō mātou | About Us

Our Vision: Preventing Harm. Saving Lives. Securing our Future

We play a key role in the guardianship of New Zealand waterways. We’re bringing together our aroha, work and skills to achieve our outcomes of sustainable supply chains and sectors, safe people and operations, secure ports and ships, and clean seas and waterways.

Our values are about who we are as individuals and the behaviours we expect from each other at Maritime NZ.

Care | Kia Tika - We care for each other and do the right thing

Connect | Kotahitanga - We unite in a common purpose

Courage | Kia Māia - We are brave, capable and confident

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the team

The Digital, Data and Finance Group brings together digital capability, data insight and financial stewardship to support how Maritime NZ plans, prioritises and delivers change.

Within this, the DST Delivery and Support runs the day-to-day operation of Maritime NZ’s digital platforms, infrastructure and services. The team is accountable for ensuring reliable, secure and high-performing systems, including business applications, cloud platforms and infrastructure are effectively delivered, supported and continuously improved.

Te tūnga | The role

Maritime NZ is undergoing a period of change to strengthen its sustainability and future focus. Following an organisational redesign, we are recruiting into a number of newly shaped roles that support our shift toward more efficient, digitally enabled ways of working, helping position us for the future.

This specialist role is responsible for leading cybersecurity strategy, risk and assurance across Maritime NZ. As the Principal Advisor Cybersecurity, you’ll provide organisation-wide leadership to ensure cybersecurity is embedded effectively, supporting safe, resilient and trusted digital services.

You’ll operate at both a strategic and hands-on level, working across a vendor-delivered environment to ensure risks are actively managed and outcomes are achieved.

Key areas of focus include:

• Providing principal-level leadership on cybersecurity strategy, risk and assurance
• Ensuring security frameworks, policies and controls are fit for purpose and aligned to risk appetite
• Overseeing and strengthening vendor-delivered cybersecurity services
• Acting as the key interface with external security providers and partners
• Supporting senior leaders with advice on cyber risk, trade-offs and priorities
• Embedding security-by-design across systems, platforms and digital initiatives
• Supporting response to cyber incidents and driving continuous improvement
• Building organisational capability, awareness and a strong security culture

This role is critical to ensuring Maritime NZ’s digital environment is secure, resilient and able to support modern service delivery.

Nōu te rourou | What you bring

You’re a highly experienced cybersecurity professional who can operate confidently at both strategic and technical levels. You’re trusted by senior leaders and comfortable taking ownership of complex risk environments.

You will bring:

• Significant experience in cybersecurity leadership or advisory roles
• Deep expertise across security domains (cloud, identity, network, endpoint, SIEM/SOC)
• Strong understanding of recognised security frameworks and standards
• Experience working within vendor-delivered or outsourced models
• Proven ability to assess and manage cybersecurity risk and incidents
• Experience advising senior leaders and governance forums
• Strong analytical and risk-based decision-making capability
• Ability to translate complex technical issues into clear, actionable advice
• High levels of judgement, integrity and professionalism
• Relevant certifications (e.g. CISSP, CISM, CISA) or equivalent experience

Mōu | For you

Maritime NZ recognises and respects te Tiriti o Waitangi and we are committed to working with Māori to build strong, meaningful and enduring relationships to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

We aim to be a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported with a sense of belonging. We encourage our people to actively contribute to our workplace culture where we all thrive and authentically live our MNZ values.

Upon joining us you’ll receive a full range of benefits including Income Protection & Life Insurance. Check out our full range on our careers page to find out more about why we love working here.

Salary range $140,735 - $171,945 depending on skills and experience + superannuation.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

We are unable to accept applications via email. Please click the apply button to submit your application.

We're committed to ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. Please reach out to our recruitment team below if there is any support we can provide to ensure the process is accessible to you.

Applications for this role close October 4th 2026. Please also note that you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.

If you have any questions please e-mail Careers@maritimenz.govt.nz