Security Operations Specialist - 12 Month Fixed Term

Kōrero mō te tūranga | About the role    

Imagine stepping into a role where your SecOps craft helps us keep pace during a period of increased demand — supporting investigations, day‑to‑day operations, and the uplift of our security posture while we navigate a busy chapter of work. You’ll be a go‑to across the business, jumping into real incidents, guiding security decisions, and helping teams build securely from the start. One day you’re unpicking a phishing campaign; the next, you’re advising on a new solution or progressing vulnerability management. No two days look the same — and that’s the point.

What you’ll touch day to day includes:

• Security administration across BAU and project work — vulnerability assessment/management, approvals and investigations
• Incident identification, investigation and response, including phishing
• Monitoring and tuning operational security systems (e.g., SIEM/SOAR)
• Contributing to solution reviews, risk identification and secure‑by‑design practices
• Documentation, security awareness uplift and reporting of key security metrics

• You’ll gain exposure across the business, not just a single dashboard. And because Contact backs growth, we’ll support training on the tools we use (MS Sentinel, Netskope, CrowdStrike) or close equivalents — bring the mindset and fundamentals, and we’ll help with the rest.

  You’ll join our Security & Infrastructure whānau, reporting into the Chapter Lead – Security & Network Operations, in a small, high‑trust team that values initiative and doesn’t micromanage.

Ko wai koe | About You   

You’re a curious, pragmatic Security Operator who enjoys variety, learns quickly and communicates clearly. You’re just as happy getting stuck into the “basics” as you are advising on risks — comfortable working independently and collaborating across squads.

We’re ideally looking for:

• ~2–3+ years’ experience in Security Operations (or adjacent IT with strong SecOps exposure)
• Solid grasp of security principles and practices; familiarity with SIEM/SOAR environments
• Ability to break down complex ideas and build trusted relationships
• Integrity and high personal/professional standards

Bonus points for (we’ll train to fill gaps):

• Exposure to MS Sentinel, Netskope, CrowdStrike (or similar)
• Professional certifications (Security+, CISSP, GIAC, or similar)
• Broad knowledge across networks, cloud, APIs, web/app security, firewalls, crypto, incident management
• Understanding of agile ways of working (Scrum/Kanban/Lean)

We support our people to work how, where and when works the best. This role would be best placed in Auckland, Tauranga or Wellington; however this role can be fully remote, and we’re open to applications from all over Aotearoa.

Contact is not a place you’ll stagnate. Even in a fixed‑term role, you’ll enjoy a generous suite of benefits designed to support your wellbeing and make life a little easier. You’ll have the flexibility to work in ways that suit you and your team, plus access to our ‘Good to be Home’ annual payment to help with your home set‑up and wellbeing. If you’re a Contact customer, you’ll also receive twice‑yearly payments toward your energy and broadband bills. You’ll even get a boosted a 4% KiwiSaver employer contribution while you’re here with us!

Applications close on Tuesday 17th February, but just like peak demand, great talent surges early — so if this role sparks your interest, power up your application now!

We love a good story at Contact, it’s what keeps our energy flowing! If you’ve got one that connects with this role, send it our way.

Here at Contact Energy (Te Mata Hiko), we know our strength lies in developing a sense of belonging - one that helps us attract and retain people with a broad range of perspectives and experiences.

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our customers and communities to help build a better Aotearoa New Zealand.

We have a rich community of talented people that we support to thrive at Contact.

Our inclusive hiring process is designed to embrace the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand, ensuring a wide range of perspectives are included in our decision-making and helping reduce bias along the way.

The wellbeing of our kaimahi is super important to us.

We use employee insights to offer a range of initiatives and resources to support physical, mental, financial and emotional wellbeing – including flexible working arrangements, employee network groups and a market-leading parental leave policy.

At Te Mata Hiko, we want everyone to thrive. We welcome applicants far and wide - of every age, stage, background, and pride. Join us and be part of a team that values your passion and attitude just as much as your experience and skills.

Please note, only candidates with the right to live and work in New Zealand will be considered for this role.

Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet 60% of the criteria, women and those in underrepresented groups tend to only apply if they tick every box. We're not about box ticking, so if you think you have what it takes but don't meet everything stated above, please still get in touch. We'd love to kōrero.

Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) does not accept any CVs received from recruitment agencies where a formal engagement has not been confirmed and agreed to with our Talent team. In the event that unsolicited CVs are submitted by recruitment agencies, Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and consider them for current/future vacancies without any financial obligation to the recruitment agency in question. This will also apply to any CVs sent directly to line managers.