Senior Manager - Public Policy and Government Affairs ANZ

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks®, we’re united by a shared mission—to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you’re ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you’re in the right place.

Who We Are

In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us!

This role is remote, but distance is no barrier to impact. Our hybrid teams collaborate across geographies to solve big problems, stay close to our customers, and grow together. You will be part of a culture that values trust, accountability, and shared success where your work truly matters.

Job Summary

Role Overview

Palo Alto Networks is seeking an experienced, strategic, and proactive Senior Manager, Public Policy & Government Affairs responsible for Australia and New Zealand, based in Australia, preferably in Sydney or Canberra.

In this role, you will lead engagement with Australian Federal, State and Territory Governments, the New Zealand Government, parliamentary stakeholders, and key cybersecurity, national security, and digital government agencies. Priority relationships will include Australia’s Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), including its Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), and New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), including its National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

You will work cross-functionally with executive leadership, Go to Market Teams, Product Management, and Threat Intelligence (Unit 42), to shape public policy outcomes that foster innovation, protect critical infrastructure, and strengthen trust in the Australian and New Zealand digital economies. Reporting to the Vice President, JAPAC, you will coordinate with regional and global public policy colleagues to align local engagement with broader business and policy priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Strategy & Advocacy: Design and execute strategic advocacy initiatives across Australia and New Zealand on issues including AI security, supply chain risk management, zero trust, incident reporting, critical infrastructure resilience, and cloud security. Engage with Australian Federal, State and Territory Governments and relevant New Zealand ministries, departments, and agencies.

Government & Parliamentary Engagement: Develop trusted relationships with ministers’ offices, senior public servants, relevant parliamentary committees, and government cybersecurity leaders in both countries. Priority stakeholders will include:

• Australia: The Department of Home Affairs, ASD/ACSC, the Department of Defence, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, the Digital Transformation Agency, and relevant State and Territory cybersecurity and digital government bodies.
• New Zealand: GCSB/NCSC, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Department of Internal Affairs, and relevant defence, education, health and digital government stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 8  plus years of relevant experience in cybersecurity public policy, technology policy, or government affairs, preferably spanning government and the private technology sector.
• Experience within Australian or New Zealand government, a ministerial office, parliamentary committee, or a relevant cybersecurity, national security, or digital government agency is highly alued. Experience working across both markets is desirable.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Deep familiarity with the Australian and New Zealand cybersecurity nand technology policy landscapes, including Australia’s ASD Information Security Manual, Essential Eight, and Information Security Registered Assessors Program (IRAP), and New Zealand’s Information Security Manual and Protective Security Requirements.
• Strong understanding of critical infrastructure security, government security and cloud assurance settings, software supply chain security, and emerging AI policy frameworks.
• Familiarity with international cybersecurity frameworks and their relevance to both markets is also desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, International Affairs, Political Science, Computer Science, Law, or a related field. 
• Exceptional written, analytical, and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to synthesise complex technical security topics for non-technical policymakers, senior government officials, and C-suite executives.
• An established network of trusted relationships across Australian Federal, State and Territory Governments and relevant New Zealand government stakeholders.
• Strong relationships with the Department of Home Affairs, ASD/ACSC, GCSB/NCSC, relevant parliamentary committees, and cybersecurity, national security, and digital government agencies are particularly valuable.
• Based in Australia, with Sydney or Canberra preferred, and willing to travel regularly to Canberra, other Australian capitals, and New Zealand, particularly Wellington, for government and stakeholder engagement.

Our Commitment

We’re trailblazers that dream big, take risks, and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at  [email protected].

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.