Security Officer

About this role

TESS Search Partners is partnering with Consunet, a leading Australian-owned defence technology company specialising in electromagnetic warfare, spectrum and cyber capability, to appoint a Security, Risk and Quality Assurance Lead. This is a pivotal opportunity to lead and mature the security function of a growing sovereign defence organisation, holding end-to-end accountability for its Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) obligations while supporting expansion into Australian, international and commercial markets.

The role spans the full breadth of the organisation's security responsibilities, delivering DISP compliance across the four domains of Governance, Personnel, Physical, and Information and Cyber in accordance with DSPF and PSPF requirements. Working closely with the Head of Operations, executive leadership, ICT and Defence stakeholders, the successful candidate will deliver security governance, risk management and assurance activities, oversee reviews, audits and Defence-aligned reporting, lead the investigation and resolution of security incidents, and manage personnel and physical security including AGSVA processes. The position also holds interim responsibility for quality assurance, encompassing ISO9001 Quality Management System alignment, audit coordination and corrective actions, ahead of the appointment of a dedicated Quality Assurance Coordinator who will report to this role and form the foundation of an expanding QA function.

Candidates will bring extensive experience in Defence security governance, including DISP, PSPF, DSPF and the ASIO Technical Notes, with proven capability conducting risk assessments and implementing controls within regulated environments, and a demonstrated record of leading assurance and audit activities on complex programs. Familiarity with AGSVA and personnel security requirements is essential, and applicants must hold a current NV1 security clearance as a minimum, with NV2 highly regarded. Veterans and professionals transitioning from the ADF or Defence APS who can translate their experience into industry are strongly encouraged to apply, and relevant tertiary qualifications and certifications will be well regarded.

This opportunity is ideally suited to an accomplished security professional seeking whole-of-organisation accountability, combining deep expertise with sound judgement, commercial awareness and an outcomes-focused approach. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, they will provide authoritative advice to leadership and clients, establish sustainable frameworks and reporting, and drive the continued uplift of security maturity, identifying ways to meet regulatory obligations that are intelligent, efficient and aligned to business outcomes.

Consunet values ownership, collaboration and continuous improvement, underpinned by the rigour its Defence and national security obligations demand. This appointment will play an important part in creating a culture where security is a shared responsibility embraced across the business, a source of organisational pride and a genuine enabler of delivery, with the scope and seniority of the position expected to increase as the company scales.

For a confidential discussion or to register interest, please contact Donna Ferris or Mina Jafari, TESS Search Partners on 08 7093 9945.

About security roles for ex-police

Security management, operations and consultancy roles. Years of operational policing — command, incident response, public order — translate directly into corporate security, and employers in this sector actively rate police experience.