Job Description
Does leading a team at the heart of national security, doing work with purpose, and protecting New Zealand and New Zealanders appeal to you? If so, read on!
The GCSB and NZSIS are at the heart of our national security effort with a shared mission to protect New Zealand as a free, open and democratic society. We have two exciting roles within our community to lead the intelligence functions of each agency.
Deputy Director-General Intelligence, Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB); and Deputy Director-General Intelligence, New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS).
Each agency has distinct capabilities and work very closely to deliver intelligence-based insights and advice that sustains and enhances New Zealand’s national security and wellbeing.
Reporting directly to the respective Directors-General of GCSB and NZSIS, these are key roles which have a direct impact on building a safer and more prosperous New Zealand in an increasingly challenging and complex world.
Mō te tūranga mahi – about the roles
As the Deputy Director‑General, Intelligence in either agency, you will be the go‑to senior leader who turns New Zealand’s National Security Intelligence Priorities into everyday impact.
You will enhance intelligence and security outcomes for New Zealand through building and sustaining effective customer-focussed relationships within the New Zealand Intelligence Community, with Ministers and senior stakeholders in the public sector and with international partner agencies. Your collaborative cross-sector leadership will drive whole-of-government outcomes.
In these pivotal roles, you will shape the strategic direction of intelligence collection and analysis in the agency. As a member of the agency Senior Leadership Team, you will also play a key role in contributing to the overall strategic direction of the agency and wider New Zealand Intelligence Community, influencing cross-agency priorities and long-term capability development.
There are accountabilities that are the same or similar across these two strategically important national security roles but also significant differences. As:
Deputy Director-General, Intelligence GCSB you will lead the GCSB Intelligence Directorate in the delivery of timely and relevant signals intelligence now and into the future to provide our customers with an intelligence advantage in their decision making. This includes delivery of timely and relevant signals intelligence to directly support NZSIS, New Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand Police, to fulfil their statutory functions.
In addition, as the National Communications Intelligence Security Officer, you will fulfil the New Zealand government’s signals intelligence security responsibilities and be the authority for access to communications intelligence and the conduct of signals intelligence.
Deputy Director-General, Intelligence NZSIS you will lead the NZSIS Intelligence Directorate in the delivery of security and foreign intelligence advantage for NZSIS customers, as reflected by the National Security Intelligence Priorities. This includes countering foreign interference, espionage, violent extremism and terrorism, and supporting New Zealand Government objectives in the Pacific region.
As well as partnering with a multitude of sector and international stakeholders, you have a central role in engagement with community groups, business, Iwi Māori, and the general public in order to raise public awareness of security threats and facilitate the sharing of information.
Together with ensuring operational delivery consistent with the agency’s legally mandated role and functions, both positions are instrumental in shaping and implementing strategy that anticipates and addresses emerging threats, trends, risks and challenges. This includes ensuring that the agency builds and maintains capability across the full spectrum of intelligence functions, to deliver its intelligence outcomes now and into the future.
Ko wai koe – about you
We are looking for strategic, credible and inspirational intelligence leaders who thrive in complex, high-stakes environments - someone with deep experience in the field of intelligence and security operations. Your background will demonstrate success in leading high-performing, multidisciplinary teams, shaping strategy and delivering real‑world results across organisational and system boundaries.
Additionally, to be successful in these pivotal roles, you will bring:
Extensive senior leadership experience in risk management, intelligence and security operations.
Strong background of intelligence and security with a comprehensive understanding of the changing threat environment.
Proven experience in driving major operational delivery, decision-making and risk management.
A proven record in strategic planning, delivery and governance with complex stakeholder environments.
Demonstrated success leading high-performing, multidisciplinary teams to achieve shared outcomes – a visible and credible leader who models integrity, energy and professionalism.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication and influencing skills, with a strong record of building trusted relationships at senior/executive levels across sectors and internationally.
Proven experience representing an organisation publicly at senior levels, including experience delivering high-profile briefings with clarity, credibility and composure.
If you’re a senior security and intelligence professional, who feels passionate about protecting New Zealand as a free and democratic society, we want to hear from you, apply now.
Why work for us
Alongside getting to work with other talented and passionate people with shared purpose, we also offer a range of comprehensive benefits which include:
Medical Insurance and Vision Care packages
Enhanced employer contributions to your KiwiSaver
Generous Leave and other benefits
Onsite free gym in the Wellington office where the role is located
Before you apply
Working within our unique environment means we have to ensure you're eligible for employment.
You must:
Have been a New Zealand Citizen for at least 10 years
OR
Hold a current NZ Residency Class Visa and ideally have been a citizen of the UK, USA, Canada or Australia for at least 10 years
Be eligible to obtain a Top Secret Special (TSS) security clearance
Ordinarily, this means you'll have a 15 year checkable background in countries NZSIS Vetting can make meaningful and reliable checks.
Still unsure? Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a TSS security clearance: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool
The NZIC treats all applications for employment in the strictest confidence and we expect that you maintain a similar level of confidentiality during the recruitment process and throughout your career.
We'll provide you with information and tips throughout the recruitment process, but in the meantime check out our Myth Busting booklet: What to expect | Beyond Ordinary Careers
You can also learn more about our work and understand our areas of focus by reading New Zealand's Security Threat Environment | New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
Job Details
Reference #
9877
Location(s)
Wellington
Salary
Midpoint of the salary range (100%) reflects full competence in the role
Closes on
31 May 2026 23:55
Work type(s)
Permanent full-time
Job level(s)
Experienced, Management, Executive
Expertise
Management, Security & Intelligence
The GCSB and NZSIS are at the heart of our national security effort with a shared mission to protect New Zealand as a free, open and democratic society. We have two exciting roles within our community to lead the intelligence functions of each agency.
Deputy Director-General Intelligence, Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB); and Deputy Director-General Intelligence, New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS).
Each agency has distinct capabilities and work very closely to deliver intelligence-based insights and advice that sustains and enhances New Zealand’s national security and wellbeing.
Reporting directly to the respective Directors-General of GCSB and NZSIS, these are key roles which have a direct impact on building a safer and more prosperous New Zealand in an increasingly challenging and complex world.
Mō te tūranga mahi – about the roles
As the Deputy Director‑General, Intelligence in either agency, you will be the go‑to senior leader who turns New Zealand’s National Security Intelligence Priorities into everyday impact.
You will enhance intelligence and security outcomes for New Zealand through building and sustaining effective customer-focussed relationships within the New Zealand Intelligence Community, with Ministers and senior stakeholders in the public sector and with international partner agencies. Your collaborative cross-sector leadership will drive whole-of-government outcomes.
In these pivotal roles, you will shape the strategic direction of intelligence collection and analysis in the agency. As a member of the agency Senior Leadership Team, you will also play a key role in contributing to the overall strategic direction of the agency and wider New Zealand Intelligence Community, influencing cross-agency priorities and long-term capability development.
There are accountabilities that are the same or similar across these two strategically important national security roles but also significant differences. As:
Deputy Director-General, Intelligence GCSB you will lead the GCSB Intelligence Directorate in the delivery of timely and relevant signals intelligence now and into the future to provide our customers with an intelligence advantage in their decision making. This includes delivery of timely and relevant signals intelligence to directly support NZSIS, New Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand Police, to fulfil their statutory functions.
In addition, as the National Communications Intelligence Security Officer, you will fulfil the New Zealand government’s signals intelligence security responsibilities and be the authority for access to communications intelligence and the conduct of signals intelligence.
Deputy Director-General, Intelligence NZSIS you will lead the NZSIS Intelligence Directorate in the delivery of security and foreign intelligence advantage for NZSIS customers, as reflected by the National Security Intelligence Priorities. This includes countering foreign interference, espionage, violent extremism and terrorism, and supporting New Zealand Government objectives in the Pacific region.
As well as partnering with a multitude of sector and international stakeholders, you have a central role in engagement with community groups, business, Iwi Māori, and the general public in order to raise public awareness of security threats and facilitate the sharing of information.
Together with ensuring operational delivery consistent with the agency’s legally mandated role and functions, both positions are instrumental in shaping and implementing strategy that anticipates and addresses emerging threats, trends, risks and challenges. This includes ensuring that the agency builds and maintains capability across the full spectrum of intelligence functions, to deliver its intelligence outcomes now and into the future.
Ko wai koe – about you
We are looking for strategic, credible and inspirational intelligence leaders who thrive in complex, high-stakes environments - someone with deep experience in the field of intelligence and security operations. Your background will demonstrate success in leading high-performing, multidisciplinary teams, shaping strategy and delivering real‑world results across organisational and system boundaries.
Additionally, to be successful in these pivotal roles, you will bring:
Extensive senior leadership experience in risk management, intelligence and security operations.
Strong background of intelligence and security with a comprehensive understanding of the changing threat environment.
Proven experience in driving major operational delivery, decision-making and risk management.
A proven record in strategic planning, delivery and governance with complex stakeholder environments.
Demonstrated success leading high-performing, multidisciplinary teams to achieve shared outcomes – a visible and credible leader who models integrity, energy and professionalism.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication and influencing skills, with a strong record of building trusted relationships at senior/executive levels across sectors and internationally.
Proven experience representing an organisation publicly at senior levels, including experience delivering high-profile briefings with clarity, credibility and composure.
If you’re a senior security and intelligence professional, who feels passionate about protecting New Zealand as a free and democratic society, we want to hear from you, apply now.
Why work for us
Alongside getting to work with other talented and passionate people with shared purpose, we also offer a range of comprehensive benefits which include:
Medical Insurance and Vision Care packages
Enhanced employer contributions to your KiwiSaver
Generous Leave and other benefits
Onsite free gym in the Wellington office where the role is located
Before you apply
Working within our unique environment means we have to ensure you're eligible for employment.
You must:
Have been a New Zealand Citizen for at least 10 years
OR
Hold a current NZ Residency Class Visa and ideally have been a citizen of the UK, USA, Canada or Australia for at least 10 years
Be eligible to obtain a Top Secret Special (TSS) security clearance
Ordinarily, this means you'll have a 15 year checkable background in countries NZSIS Vetting can make meaningful and reliable checks.
Still unsure? Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a TSS security clearance: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool
The NZIC treats all applications for employment in the strictest confidence and we expect that you maintain a similar level of confidentiality during the recruitment process and throughout your career.
We'll provide you with information and tips throughout the recruitment process, but in the meantime check out our Myth Busting booklet: What to expect | Beyond Ordinary Careers
You can also learn more about our work and understand our areas of focus by reading New Zealand's Security Threat Environment | New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
Job Details
Reference #
9877
Location(s)
Wellington
Salary
Midpoint of the salary range (100%) reflects full competence in the role
Closes on
31 May 2026 23:55
Work type(s)
Permanent full-time
Job level(s)
Experienced, Management, Executive
Expertise
Management, Security & Intelligence
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Deputy Director-General, Intelligence position is now open for candidates interested in the Customer Care Executive sector. This role in Wellington offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Customer Care Executive is a plus.
