Solutions Architect

About CEM

Christian Education Ministries (CEM) is a Protestant non-denominational, Christian Education organisation, whose mission is to develop each and every student to be equipped spiritually, academically, socially and physically to flourish into their full potential, and be a positive influence on the world around them. CEM is wholeheartedly committed to excellence in education so that students are “well known, well loved, and well taught” by dedicated trained Christian staff.

CEM is a growing network, with 18 schools (including the Australian Christian College schools) and 3 early learning centres, in 5 states, and is also the largest non-government Distance Education and home schooling provider in Australia.

About the role

Our mix of delivery models — on campus, distance education and early learning — means our core systems are rarely served well by off-the-shelf products alone. They need tailoring, integration and genuine building to fit the way we operate. To date we have met much of that need through external partners. We are bringing the capability in-house because we want it to be ours: designed by someone who understands our context, built to last, and documented so that it endures.

Based at CEM’s Head Office in Erina and reporting to the Head of Business Improvement, you will build and integrate the systems the group depends on, and work directly with the teams who use them across our corporate services departments and our schools. You won’t be interpreting requirements second-hand; you’ll be in the room with the people whose work your solutions change.

It is a hands-on role with real latitude. You will help shape how our systems fit together, and you will be the person who builds it.

Key Accountabilities

• Design, build and integrate the technical solutions the group needs, leaving clear documentation behind as well as working code.
• Work alongside the teams that rely on these systems, across our corporate services departments and our schools, so that requirements are understood first-hand.
• Tailor and extend core platforms where standard configuration does not fit the way CEM operates.
• Integrate CEM’s systems so that data flows reliably between them, applying consistent approaches to integration, data ownership, and identity and access.
• Contribute technical assessment to decisions about new platforms, including where to configure, where to build and where to buy.
• Build and document solutions so that they are transferable and supportable over time, strengthening the group’s internal capability.
• Partner with the ICT team and external service providers so that solutions are secure, supportable and consistent with CEM’s infrastructure, cyber security and data protection standards.
• Assess emerging technologies and recommend where they would materially improve CEM’s capability.
• Maintain technical documentation and architectural standards for the solutions this role delivers.
• Perform other duties as reasonably directed to support CEM’s operational requirements and organisational objectives.

This full-time position is to start in January 2027.

Requirements

Qualifications and experience — essential

• Tertiary qualification in information technology, computer science, software engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent demonstrated experience.
• At least five years’ experience in solution design, systems integration or software development, including substantial recent hands-on build work.
• Demonstrated experience integrating business systems — finance, HR, student or customer platforms — using APIs and modern integration patterns.
• Sound working knowledge of data security, identity and access management, and the practical obligations around handling sensitive data.
• Current Working with Children Check, or eligibility to obtain one.
• Full working rights in Australia.

Desirable

• Experience in a Google environment. CEM runs on Google Workspace, and practical depth there is valued — Workspace administration, Apps Script and the wider Google toolset.
• Certification or demonstrated depth in a relevant enterprise platform or integration toolset, for example Salesforce or NetSuite.
• Experience in education, not-for-profit, or other multi-site organisations.
• Current driver’s licence — the role involves occasional travel to our schools.

Attributes

• Strong hands-on technical capability, with the judgement to say how systems should fit together, not only how each one works.
• Confidence working directly with non-technical teams to understand what they genuinely need.
• A documenter by habit — someone who leaves work behind in a state others can pick up.

Faith and compliance

• Applicants must be committed Christians who actively outwork their faith through the life of their local church.
• All appointments are subject to a Working with Children Check.

Benefits

CEM employees can access a range of staff benefits, including:

• Opportunity to contribute to the design and development of ICT systems across a growing national education organisation.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering free, confidential counselling sessions.
• Access to WHEREFIT, offering exclusive discounts on health, fitness and wellbeing products and services.
• Salary sacrificing and salary packaging options.
• Opportunities to grow professionally, develop your skills and deepen your faith.
• Be part of an authentic Christian community that shares regular devotions and prayer.