Agency Purpose

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is an independent statutory authority established by the Australian Government to maintain an impartial and independent electoral system for eligible voters through active electoral roll management, effective delivery of polling services, and targeted education and public awareness programs.

The AEC’s values and commitments

The AEC values and commitments are an essential component of our operating environment and frame how AEC staff work. The AEC's focus is on electoral integrity through the values of quality, agility and professionalism.

About the Team

The Cyber Security and Assurance section is responsible for helping protect the AEC's systems, information and electoral processes from cyber security threats, operational disruptions and other risks that could impact the delivery of electoral events. The section works across the agency to strengthen security, support informed decision-making and enhance the resilience of critical electoral functions.

The section comprises three specialist teams:

Cyber Operations manages the AEC's Security Operations Centre and is responsible for the monitoring, detection and response to cyber security events and incidents. The team works closely with internal and external stakeholders to maintain situational awareness and support the security of AEC systems and services.

Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) provides cyber security governance, risk and assurance functions across the agency. The team develops policy and guidance, conducts security risk assessments, manages a range of security approvals and supports compliance with Australian Government security requirements.

Resilience focuses on strengthening the AEC's ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from disruptive events. The team examines the resilience of electoral processes, systems and supporting capabilities under a range of adverse and extreme threat scenarios, helping to ensure the continued delivery of trusted electoral outcomes.

The Opportunity





This is an exciting opportunity to join the AEC and contribute to work that has a direct impact on Australia's democratic processes.

The Assistant Director, Cyber Assurance supports the AEC's commitment to maintaining a strong cyber security posture and protecting the integrity, availability and resilience of election management systems and supporting corporate services.

The role leads the coordination and oversight of cyber assurance activities across the agency, ensuring that independent assessments, remediation activities and compliance obligations are monitored, reported and effectively integrated into operational planning and decision-making.

Working with a high degree of independence, the role provides trusted advice on cyber security assurance outcomes, coordinates strategic reporting and drives accountability for the timely implementation of recommendations arising from cyber assessments.

During electoral events, the role also supports election readiness activities by monitoring the section's delivery against key milestones, coordinating progress reporting and ensuring cyber security priorities remain aligned with the agency's Election Ready Roadmap.

To excel you’ll have:

We are seeking a motivated and capable professional who can demonstrate the skills, knowledge and experience required to perform successfully in this role.

- Demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate complex assurance, governance or compliance activities and deliver outcomes in a complex and changing setting.
- Demonstrated experience monitoring, analysing and reporting on organisational performance, risks, compliance obligations and assurance outcomes, including establishing oversight mechanisms to track remediation activities and support accountability for outcomes.
- Demonstrated experience in a dedicated cyber security role.




- Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders, including senior executives, governance forums and external partners, on complex or sensitive issues.
- Demonstrated ability to identify emerging risks, assess complex issues and provide practical advice that supports organisational objectives and risk-based decision-making.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear advice, executive briefs, governance papers, reports and presentations for senior stakeholders.
- Strong organisational and planning skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate multiple workstreams and deliver outcomes within legislative, policy and budget parameters.
- Personal drive, integrity and sound judgement, including the ability to work with limited direction and exercise initiative in a complex operational environment.

Desirable

- Demonstrated experience coordinating cyber security assurance activities, including IRAP assessments, penetration testing, security reviews, audits or compliance assessments.
- Professional qualifications and/or certification in a cyber security discipline.
- Knowledge of, or the ability to quickly gain knowledge of, the Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM), Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF), Essential Eight and related cyber security frameworks.
- Experience managing remediation programs, tracking audit or assessment findings, and monitoring compliance against cyber security requirements.

Eligibility

- AEC employees must be Australian citizens.
- Any person who is, and seen to be active in political affairs, and intends to publicly carry on this activity, may compromise the strict neutrality of the AEC and cannot be considered.
- Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain a character clearance.
- Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain the security clearance required for this role.

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📌 Assistant Director, Cyber Security and Assurance (Canberra)
🏢 Australian Electoral Commission
📍 Canberra