Director Of Cyber, Technology & Security

Director of Cyber, Technology & Security (CTS)
ASPI is looking for an exceptional and experienced leader to lead our largest team focused on emerging security challenges, particularly in cyberspace and the information domain
Join one of the Indo-Pacific’s top performing and most influential think tanks
Join a progressive and supportive organisation with an engaging and vibrant organisational culture
The Role
ASPI is an independent, non-partisan think tank that produces expert and timely advice for strategic, defence and policy leaders and decision makers. ASPI is one of the most authoritative and widely quoted contributors to public discussion of strategic policy issues in the Indo-Pacific region and a recognised Australian voice in international discussion in defence, national security, cyber, critical technology, climate, and foreign interference issues.
The CTS team has led the world on analysis on China and Chinese government activities, including in cyberspace, disinformation campaigns, propaganda and human rights. From cyber security to initiatives like ASPI’s Chinese Defence Universities Tracker and Critical Technologies Tracker, this role is a unique opportunity to lead the team’s next evolution and to continue influencing public policy making in Australia and across the globe.
Director CTS leads ASPI’s largest team to develop and deliver a range of applied research projects on existing and emerging security challenges. CTS’ projects range across cyber and critical infrastructure security, critical and emerging technologies, national resilience and social cohesion, and hybrid threats (including foreign information operations, disinformation, economic coercion and other ‘grey zone’ activities). CTS regularly engages and works with government, academic and civil society stakeholders across the Indo-Pacific on all of these issues. CTS is also responsible for ASPI’s India program, including managing and hosting Raisina in Australia, in conjunction with Raisina founder, the Observer Research Foundation.
CTS comprises a unique mix of skillsets and experience, including country and/or thematic specialists, linguists, data scientists, geospatial expertise, technologists and cyber capacity building specialists. The team’s work has attracted a global audience and its research has resulted in major policy changes around the world. More information about this team can be found here.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a talented individual to contribute to the work of one of the Indo-Pacific’s leading think-tanks with a focus on emerging security issues, and our region.
The incoming Director CTS is expected to have deep expertise in at least some of the topical issues covered by the team, in addition to superior management (including project, stakeholder and change management) skills, the ability to build relationships and a proven capacity to fundraise for large projects.
The key duties of the position include:Duty Statement
Director CTS will:
Lead a large team, including setting the strategic direction, lead its research output and regional capacity building, manage the program staff (around 30-35 people) and oversee all activities of the program.
Oversee the production of high-quality research products and projects which often attract a large global audience - reports, websites, databases, articles, high level briefings etc on a range of topics and ensure this work is timely, well read and has real policy impact.
Develop new strategic initiatives that will help ASPI position itself at the forefront of domestic and global strategic thinking and policymaking on national security, technology, foreign policy, and Indo-Pacific issues.
Lead on developing and maintaining senior domestic and global relationships across the national security, technology, and foreign policy sectors in Australia, and internationally, including with politicians, policymakers, business and civil society representatives.
Lead fundraising activities for the program (noting it does not receive ongoing funding) and identify potential new areas of sustainable revenue for the program. This involves raising an annual budget in the range of $4 million and maintenance of very strong relationships with partners in governments and industry.
Manage and plan a complicated program budget (spanning more than twenty funders across the Australian government, select foreign governments and the business community).
Convene and host major events in Australia, and internationally, including conferences, dialogues, and roundtables.
Represent ASPI in public discussions and in the media on relevant topics.
Work with the Executive Director, and other members of the Executive management team and senior ASPI staff to develop a shared, open, and consistent approach to managing ASPI’s work.
EligibilitySelection Criteria
Essential Criteria:
Experience and expertise in some of the topics covered by this team.
High level conceptual and strategic thinking ability, including the ability to think ahead of global policymaking.
Demonstrated ability to generate new, forward leaning ideas and to develop those ideas into funded, effective projects.
Strong, agile, leadership skills including:
extensive experience in growing and managing teams
the demonstrated ability to lead multiple teams across multiple projects
the ability to provide these teams with clear, strategic direction resulting in high quality output
Experience and/or understanding of branch and project-level budget management
Demonstrated ability to raise significant funding from both government and industry sources to support your teams.
Strong relevant domestic networks across government, industry, and civil society, coupled with political astuteness and sensitivity / awareness to government processes.
Sophisticated diplomatic skills that will enable dealings with senior representatives from domestic and international organisations.
Excellent proven written and verbal communication skills and the ability to convey complex topics, and related ideas, to non-specialist audiences.
High levels of integrity with a commitment to maintaining ASPI’s independence.
Desired Criteria:
Prior and relevant think-tank, government or business experience is highly desirable.
Experience working in all forms of media.
Strong relevant international networks across government, industry, and civil society.
Comfort working in a dynamic and fluid budgetary environment.
Remuneration will be competitive and commensurate with experience.ASPI has headquarters in Canberra, Australia and an office in Washington DC, USA. This role is Canberra-based.
NotesHow to Apply
Please refer to the position description.
All applications should be submitted to ****@aspi.org.au including the following: - Cover letter (addressing the selection criteria on the position description) - Resume/CV including two current referee contact details.
ASPI promotes a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome and value unique contributions of all people. The Institute strongly encourages women and people from diverse cultural backgrounds including applicants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds to apply.The closing date for applications is 8 April 2024 – an early application is advised as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if suitable applications are received.
Getting to know the Australian Strategic Policy InstituteThe Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) is an independent, non-partisan think tank that produces expert and timely advice for Australia's strategic and defence leaders. The Institute's work helps to foster strategic expertise in Australia through dialogue, research and its contribution to public debate.