Job Description

About the role:

As part of the Technology and Transformation Division, the Cyber Security capability plays a pivotal role in the Technology & Transformation division, providing technical leadership and guidance in the design, development, maintenance, support, assurance and improvement of cyber and identity related platforms and controls. We are responsible for how our control environment supports the secure use of technology that protects our customers and staff.

The Senior Cyber Security Specialist is responsible for designing, implementing, and optimising cyber security solutions and services, operating with a high degree of technical autonomy while providing deep specialist expertise, leading complex technical work, and supporting delivery outcomes across cyber operations, engineering, and uplift initiatives.

This role is offered as a 12 months Fixed Term Contract with potential extension or permanency.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Advanced Technical Delivery & Operations

• Design, implement, and optimise cyber security controls, platforms, and services.
• Lead complex operational activities including advanced troubleshooting and remediation.
• Act as a technical escalation point for incidents, vulnerabilities, and service issues.
• Ensure solutions align with cyber architecture, standards, and regulatory expectations.

2. Engineering, Automation & Improvement

• Lead technical changes, enhancements, and engineering initiatives.
• Identify and implement opportunities for automation and operational efficiency.
• Contribute to solution design and technical architecture within defined guardrails.
• Produce and maintain high-quality technical documentation and runbooks.

3. Advisory & Project Contribution

• Provide technical leadership and advisory support to projects and initiatives.
• Translate security requirements into practical technical solutions.
• Partner with technology teams to embed security into systems and services.

4. Mentoring & Capability Uplift

• Provide guidance and mentoring to Cyber Security Specialists and Analysts..
• Support uplift of team capability through knowledge sharing and coaching.
• Influence technical standards and best practices through expertise.
• Follow cyber security policies, standards, and operational procedures.
• Understand and comply with regulatory, risk, and control requirements relevant to the role.
• Raise potential risks, control gaps, or issues to senior team members.

• Proactively identifies risks and recommends actions to avoid, mitigate or accept risks. Promotes a sound risk culture by routinely analysing, avoiding, mitigating or accepting risks.

• Meet your duty of care, ensuring that you take reasonable care for your and others’ health and safety; that all hazards, incidents or injuries are reported immediately and that you actively contribute to People First Bank being able to maintain a physically and psychologically safe workplace for all.

5. Risk Awareness & Compliance

6. Decision Authority & Accountability

• Exercises independent judgement within established frameworks and architecture.
• Accountable for technical outcomes across systems and services.
• Influences delivery outcomes beyond own tasks.
• No direct budget accountability; may contribute to estimates and planning.

7. Required Experience & Capability

• Strong experience in cyber security engineering or operations.
• Deep technical expertise in one or more cyber domains.
• Proven ability to solve complex, non-routine technical problems.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.

About you:

You are a seasoned cyber security specialist who thrives on solving complex challenges and ensuring security controls operate reliably across a large, dynamic technology environment. You bring strong technical expertise, quickly diagnosing and resolving issues while continuously enhancing security platforms, controls, and processes. You take ownership of security operations, ensuring monitoring, engineering, and response activities run smoothly, with risks identified early and managed effectively.

Beyond technical delivery, you are a collaborative and trusted advisor who elevates team capability through mentoring and knowledge sharing. You build strong relationships with stakeholders, translating complex security risks into clear, practical guidance and delivering solutions that are both effective and implementable. Your contribution drives continuous improvement in cyber maturity, strengthening the organisation’s overall security posture.

Knowledge

The Senior Cyber Security Specialist is expected to demonstrate deep technical expertise within one or more cyber security domains and act as a trusted subject matter expert across the cyber function.

Core Knowledge

• Deep understanding of cyber security principles, controls, and defensive techniques
• Expertise in one or more cyber domains such as:
  • Security monitoring and detection
  • Incident response and digital forensics
  • Identity and access management
  • Security engineering
  • Cloud security
  • Vulnerability management
• Strong understanding of attacker tactics, techniques, and procedures
• Knowledge of enterprise security tooling and platforms
• Familiarity with secure architecture principles and technical security patterns
• Understanding of security control effectiveness and operational resilience

Regulatory & Industry Knowledge

• Working knowledge of regulatory expectations including APRA CPS 234
• Familiarity with APRA CPS 230
• Experience applying frameworks such as NIST Cybersecurity Framework
• Understanding of cyber risk management and control assurance practices

Essential Experience

Technical Experience

• Significant hands-on experience in cyber security operations, engineering, or specialist functions

• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems

• Experience implementing and maintaining security controls and platforms

• Ability to investigate security incidents or complex technical issues

• Experience improving or optimising cyber controls, processes, or tooling

Operational & Leadership Experience

• Experience acting as an escalation point for complex issues

• Experience mentoring analysts and specialists

• Experience supporting secure design decisions in projects or system changes

• Ability to balance technical solutions with operational and risk considerations

Highly Regarded Experience

• Experience working within financial services or regulated industries

• Experience contributing to security architecture or design reviews

• Experience implementing automation or detection improvements

• Experience working with cloud security controls and hybrid environments

Why you’ll love working with us:

People First Bank – our new brand – says exactly what we’re all about: people. We're committed to supporting and growing our team and creating an outstanding work environment.

You’ll have access to financial and lifestyle benefits to support your success and individuality:

• Flexibility and hybrid working arrangements.

• Enhance your salary with discounts on banking, health insurance, and shopping across Australia.

• Advance your career with training, study support, and project opportunities.

• Competitive leave benefits that empower employees to take time for themselves and loved ones.

• Wellbeing support with our Employee Assistance Program, wellbeing leave, mental health app, and mental health ambassadors’ program

• Make a difference with paid volunteering, Workplace Giving, and diverse community initiatives.

• Be recognised for your contributions through our peer-driven recognition program.

A bit about People First Bank:

In March 2023, People’s Choice and Heritage Bank merged to form Heritage and People’s Choice Limited - Australia's leading mutual bank. We are now on an exciting journey to bring together our products, services, and technology under a single brand - People First Bank.

We have over 700,000 members and 1,900 employees, with dual head offices in Adelaide and Toowoomba, an Australian-based contract center and branches across five states.

With a vision ‘To deliver positive change through banking’, People First Bank serves members and contributes to the community, while offering an inclusive, flexible work environment. We’re big enough to make an impact; but agile enough to influence and do interesting work.

Apply online now:

If this sounds like you, this could be the next step in your career. Click 'Apply' now and submit your application, including a cover letter and current resume by 31st May 2026.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and support candidate requests for adjustments to enable everyone to equitably participate in our selection process.