Security Operations Manager

• Career Growth: Advance your leadership skills while driving innovation in a supportive, high-performing team environment.
• Make an Impact: Protect organisations by delivering world-class cybersecurity solutions that truly make a difference.
• National focus: You can be based in either Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch
• Application close: Close of business Friday, 10th January 2025

Join Our Mission to Build a Cyber-Resilient World:

At DEFEND, our vision is bold yet simple: to improve everyday life by creating a cyber-resilient world. As a trusted partner in cybersecurity, we pride ourselves on making confident decisions, embracing innovation, and fostering open, collaborative relationships. We’re not just a team – we’re a community built on trust, respect, and empathy. If you’re ready to lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact, we’d love to have you join us!

About the Role:

As the Security Operations Manager, you’ll be at the forefront of driving cybersecurity excellence for our valued customers. Your mission? To inspire and support a high-performing team in delivering exceptional Cybersecurity Operations outcomes, drive continuous improvement, and maintain the highest level of customer satisfaction.

You’ll oversee and enhance our Security Operations Centre (SOC) capabilities, working closely with our talented team and customers. This role is your opportunity to shape the future of cybersecurity service delivery while developing and growing with a passionate team.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Collaborating with the team and customers to ensure the seamless delivery of world class security operations.

• Leading the development and enhancement of technical capabilities and processes to elevate our security operations deliverables.

• Championing innovation and improvement in cybersecurity practices to achieve outstanding outcomes.

• Building and nurturing a high-performing team to consistently exceed customer expectations.

What You’ll Bring

• Leadership Passion: You have experience leading and managing diverse teams in a SOC or cybersecurity operations environment and delivering exceptional results.
• Strong technical expertise: Familiar with XDR, SIEM, EDR, and related security tools and technologies.
• Customer-centric mindset: Proven experience engaging with customers to communicate complex technical issues clearly to stakeholders at all levels, driven by a passion for creating exceptional experiences.
• Documentation Expertise: Strong writing and review skills to produce high-quality reports and processes.
• Cybersecurity and Operational Frameworks: Deep knowledge of threat management, incident response processes, and cybersecurity concepts and industry standards, with the ability to apply them to real-world scenarios.
• High Performing Teams: A track record of fostering team growth and building high-performing security teams through coaching, mentioning, and training team members.
• Continuous Improvement: Passion for staying ahead of evolving threats and driving security innovation to ensure that we deliver value and excellence to our customers.
• Relevant certifications: Demonstrating expertise in cybersecurity practices by achieving relevant certifications is advantageous (e.g., GCIH, CISM, CISSP, ITIL or other industry relevant Certifications.).

Why Join DEFEND?
Here, your work will have purpose and impact. You’ll collaborate with a dedicated team of professionals committed to making the world more secure, one step at a time. If you’re ready to lead with heart and innovation, we’d love to hear from you.

About DEFEND:

We're a business-centric cybersecurity organisation founded by a team of passionate cybersecurity experts whose mission is to - BUILD A CYBER RESILIENT WORLD. Over the last five years, we've experienced phenomenal growth, working with a wide variety of customers in New Zealand and across 66 countries and winning several industry awards, including Microsoft's 2022 New Zealand Partner of the year!

Each customer we work with is different. Our dedicated approach is to help organisations progress on their cyber resilience journey by delivering outstanding industry services with the highest level of professionalism and care.

We hold ourselves accountable by our core values. Our People First culture sets us apart, and we believe working with DEFEND will be a time in your life you will look back on and truly believe you made a real difference.

What’s great about working for DEFEND?

By joining our innovative and creative team you will have the opportunity to contribute a variety of cybersecurity outcomes, from culture & awareness of cyber resilience, through to offensive & defensive security, developing yourself in technology and digital delivery across multiple sectors.

Work life balance:

• With a national focus throughout New Zealand, our team is made up of skilled individuals at different stages in their careers, therefore we can offer flexibility in base location, as well as embracing remote working
• Flexible working arrangements are available to suit your lifestyle

Career / Professional Development:

We will build on your learning to solve our customers most complex business challenges in the digital age, whilst developing commercial and business skills, along with:

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next
• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way
• Mentors: You’ll be joining a team of truly passionate and highly skilled individuals who are at the top of their game and who enjoy imparting their knowledge and experience to others
• Opportunity: Progress into other exciting roles across DEFEND

Diversity & Inclusion:

We’re committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Our goal is to be recognised as an employer of choice for all, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, generation, flexible work status, family circumstances, sexual orientation, or disability. Each addition to our team is an opportunity to grow and diversify our ideas, experiences, and viewpoints.