• A rare opportunity to shape the RBA's cyber threat intelligence, defensive and offensive cyber security functions
• 5-year full-time fixed term contract
• Based at our head office in Sydney CBD

In this senior leadership role, you will set strategy and drive collaboration across cyber threat intelligence, defensive and offensive teams, embedding a threat‑informed approach to strengthen the Bank's ability to detect, respond to and recover from cyber incidents.

About the team

The Cyber Defence & Response function is a core part of the RBA's cyber security capability, bringing together Cyber Threat Intelligence, Offensive Security, Incident Response, Security Operations and Engineering.

Together, these teams deliver an integrated, threat‑informed approach to cyber defence and response. The function operates in a highly collaborative environment, working closely with internal and external stakeholders to support the RBA's role as a critical national institution.

Key responsibilities

In this role, you will lead the Bank's cyber defence and response capability, driving strategy, operational excellence and continuous improvement across a complex and evolving threat landscape. You will foster collaboration between intelligence, defensive and offensive cyber teams, while building strong partnerships across government, central banks and industry to strengthen collective resilience.

• Lead and inspire high-performing cyber teams, driving capability uplift, accountability and operational excellence across all functions
• Lead, mentor and develop your management team, building sustainable leadership capability and supporting the attraction and retention of highly skilled cyber professionals
• Exercise sound judgement in complex operational and strategic decisions, balancing cyber risk, security priorities and business objectives within the Bank's risk appetite
• Provide expert technical advice during cyber incidents to the CISO and RBA executive leadership, while guiding cross-functional teams through incident response
• Support the development and execution of the Bank's cyber strategy and cyber defence portfolio
• Communicate the Bank's cyber posture, risks and outcomes through clear, well-structured reports and briefings for senior leadership, stakeholders and Board committees
• Define, implement and oversee cyber operational resilience, including planning, testing and continuous improvement of incident response capabilities

About you

You are a senior cyber security leader who has a strong track record of developing technically strong teams and operating effectively in high-pressure environments. You balance strategic leadership with strong technical judgement and communicate complex cyber security issues clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Minimum ten years' experience in technology and cyber security, including at least five years in leadership roles spanning defensive and offensive capabilities
• Demonstrated experience as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, with strong communication and influencing skills and the ability to translate complex cyber and technical risk into clear, decision-ready advice
• Proven experience developing, implementing and governing cyber security strategies within large, complex or highly regulated environments
• Well-developed crisis leadership skills, with the ability to remain calm, decisive and outcomes-focused when leading teams through significant cyber security incidents
• Deep understanding of relevant cybersecurity frameworks, particularly the Australian Signals Directorate's Information Security Manual, and their practical application
• Broad knowledge of enterprise technology environments, security architectures and regulatory obligations relevant to financial systems and critical infrastructure

Preferably, you will have completed one or more of the following (or comparable):

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant field, or equivalent practical experience
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM)

This position requires a security clearance; therefore, we are only able to consider applications from Australian citizens.


Be More
Working for an organisation that truly makes a difference to the people of Australia, we can offer development and career opportunities in a collaborative environment that supports your growth, wellbeing and promotes flexibility. Your individual growth and success drives the RBA forward as an organisation. Be more means you can do more, for yourself and for Australia.

Why RBA?
The RBA makes an important contribution to the Australian economy through the pursuit of national economic policy objectives and associated activities in financial markets and banking. We also issue Australia's banknotes and operate infrastructure critical to the payments system, all of which contribute to the welfare of the Australian people.

Made up of specialists across a wide range of fields, our people, values, and culture play a critical role in achieving our objectives. Striving to be Open & Dynamic, we consider and incorporate different perspectives, work across teams and are transparent with each other, whilst delivering quality together effectively and focusing on outcomes by prioritising, testing, learning, and refining as we go.

Our people conduct themselves with a high degree of integrity, while striving for excellence in the work they perform and the outcomes they achieve. We encourage intelligent inquiry and we treat one another with respect while promoting the public interest through our efforts. We know it is the growth and success of our people that drives the RBA forward. Come and make a bigger contribution while you build and develop your own skills too, because being more means you can do more, for yourself and for Australia.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion through key initiatives. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse background, those living with a disability and from the LGBTQ+ community. We are committed to making the recruitment process fair and equitable for all our candidates.