Chief Information Security Officer

• 5-year Fixed-Term opportunity.
• Opportunity to shape and lead the University's cybersecurity strategy at an enterprise level, influencing decision-making at the highest tiers of governance.
• Offering a competitive remuneration package including 17% superannuation.

About the opportunity

The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a senior executive role within the University's ICT Leadership Team, responsible for shaping and executing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that safeguards the institution's digital assets and infrastructure. This position leads to the development of a multi-year roadmap and risk management framework, ensuring alignment with the University's academic, research, and operational objectives.

The role provides strategic oversight of cybersecurity operations, governance, compliance, and awareness programs, while maintaining active engagement with senior leadership, the Executive, the Senate, and the Audit & Risk Committee. CISO plays a critical role in anticipating and mitigating emerging risks associated with evolving technologies, supply chain dependencies, and the global threat landscape.

About you (skills, capabilities and experience)

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of strategic vision, technical expertise, and leadership capability to drive cybersecurity excellence across the University. Key attributes include:

Skills and Capabilities

• Ability to communicate cybersecurity and risk-related concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, including at board level
• Extensive knowledge of business risk, risk assessment, and risk-based decision-making
• Proven ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams to achieve strategic goals
• Strong prioritisation and execution skills in high-pressure environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and collaborative skills
• Deep understanding of cloud, SaaS, and IoT architectures and their implications for cybersecurity
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and adaptive communication
• Flexible and resilient in managing competing priorities and change

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years in IT and/or business leadership, with at least 5 years in senior cybersecurity roles
• Demonstrated success in leading enterprise-wide cybersecurity programs within large, complex organisations
• Strong technical expertise across key security domains including firewalls, intrusion detection, encryption, identity and access management, and threat mitigation
• Proven experience briefing executives, boards, and governance committees on cybersecurity risks and strategy
• Extensive experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets, large teams, and third-party service providers

Key benefits

• A university contribution of 17% of your base salary to your superannuation fund
• Tax-efficient salary packaging options for cars, laptops, and additional contributions to your superannuation fund
• Generous relocation allowance if moving from interstate or overseas
• Access to fitness passport, as well as discounted rates on university sports and fitness centres
• Gain the recognition of working in a leading University

Sponsorship / Work Rights for Australia

Work Rights: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Term and Remuneration

The successful candidate will be offered a 5-year fixed term position on a full-time basis with a competitive remuneration package commensurate with the responsibilities of the position and the candidate's relevant experience and qualifications. The appointment is subject to completion of a satisfactory probation period for new appointees.

Pre-employment Checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all roles required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a university community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion , evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People , women , people living with a disability , people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds , and those who identify as LGBTIQ+ . We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion .

How to apply

Applications ( including a CV and cover letter outlining how your skills, capabilities and experience meet the requirements for the role ) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. Please refer to the position description for further details.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

Senior Talent Partner, Senior Talent Acquisition, Lucy Porter will support and advise the Committee. Please contact Lucy on if you require further support.

The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Applications Close

Monday 22 September :59 PM