
Cyber Security Advisory Lead
Position Title: Cyber Security Advisory Lead
Location: Sydney, NSW
Employment Type: Full-Time
On-Site Requirement: Minimum 2 days per week on campus
About the Opportunity
One of our highly esteemed university clients-renowned for research excellence, innovation, and progressive thinking-is seeking a skilled and visionary Cyber Security Advisory Lead to join their Information Security team.
This is not a rigid corporate environment-unlike banking or traditional financial services, this role offers the chance to work in an open, collaborative, and intellectually rich setting where data sharing and creativity are vital to academic progress. This is a unique opportunity to innovate, influence, and be part of a mission-driven environment.
The successful candidate will lead a team of four cyber security professionals and play a key role in driving secure, scalable solutions across the university’s multi-cloud ecosystem. This position is ideal for someone who sees themselves progressing into a Head of Cyber Security or CISO role within the next 3-4 years.
Key Responsibilities
-
Lead and mentor a high-performing team of four cyber security advisors.
-
Provide strategic and hands-on guidance on secure cloud architecture, focusing on AWS and Azure platforms.
-
Collaborate across academic, operational, and IT functions to support secure digital transformation initiatives.
-
Contribute to and evolve the university’s cyber security strategy, policy framework, and risk governance.
-
Oversee security architecture reviews, threat modelling, risk assessments, and incident response planning.
-
Champion innovation and a proactive security culture that enables academic freedom and research collaboration.
-
Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, translating complex security concepts into business-relevant language.
-
Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and foster a security-first mindset across the institution.
About You
This is an ideal role for someone looking to make a long-term impact in a purpose-driven environment, who aspires to step into a Head of Security role in the next few years. You’ll bring a mix of deep technical capability, people leadership, and a collaborative mindset.
Essential Requirements
-
CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
-
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
-
Azure Solutions Architect Expert
-
Demonstrated experience leading or mentoring high-performing cyber security teams.
-
Deep understanding of cloud security, risk management, and regulatory frameworks.
-
Strong stakeholder engagement and the ability to influence across all levels of the organisation.
-
Commitment to on-site presence at least 2 days per week.
Note: Applications without the above certifications and on-site availability will not be considered.
Desirable Attributes
-
Experience in higher education, research institutions, or similarly collaborative and data-rich environments.
-
Strong understanding of academic data protection, IP security, and compliance (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST).
-
Postgraduate qualifications in Cyber Security, Information Systems, or a related field.
What’s on Offer
-
A rare opportunity to lead and grow within one of Australia’s top universities
-
A dynamic, creative environment where innovation and collaboration are encouraged
-
Flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities, and generous benefits
-
Clear pathway for career progression into Head of Cyber Security/CISO-level roles