Director, IT Operations & Services
Location: Hawthorn East
Employment type: Part-time or Full-time (0.8–1.0 FTE)
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
About The Cairnmillar Institute
The Cairnmillar Institute is a not-for-profit provider of psychological services and higher education, with a 65+ year history of supporting mental health and training the next generation of practitioners.
We deliver clinical services, short courses, vocational training and accredited postgraduate programs in psychology, counselling and psychotherapy.
As Cairnmillar continues to grow and modernise, we are investing in our technology, systems and digital capability. We are now seeking an experienced Director, IT Operations & Services to lead our core IT function and support the organisation’s next phase of development.
Key responsibilities
In this role you will:
- Provide leadership and oversight of Cairnmillar’s IT Operations & Services function, including infrastructure, systems administration, helpdesk support and enterprise platforms.
- Contribute to the development of Cairnmillar’s digital and data strategy by providing operational insight and user-centred feedback on emerging technology needs.
- Ensure secure, reliable and high-performing IT infrastructure, including cloud environments (e.g. AWS, Microsoft 365), networks, servers and endpoint devices.
- Oversee helpdesk workflows, ticketing and service delivery to ensure timely, effective support for staff and students.
- Lead the scoping, planning and delivery of IT and digital enablement projects, including vendor management, stakeholder engagement and post-implementation support.
- Ensure IT operations align with privacy, cybersecurity and compliance frameworks, including the Australian Privacy Principles and Essential Eight maturity model.
- Manage technology risks through proactive identification, control mapping and mitigation, in collaboration with Risk and Governance.
- Maintain and improve IT documentation, procedures and asset registers to support business continuity and knowledge management.
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, vendors, and consortia (e.g. REDCap) to ensure service quality and continuous improvement.
- Promote equitable access to digital systems and support inclusive, user-focused technology solutions across the organisation.
About you
You are an experienced IT leader who combines strong technical capability with a practical, user-centred approach to service delivery. You enjoy working across operations and projects, leading teams, and partnering with the business to deliver secure, fit-for-purpose technology.
You will bring:
- Tertiary qualifications in IT, Computer Science or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Demonstrated experience leading IT operations and services, ideally within education, health, research or not-for-profit environments.
- Strong technical expertise across enterprise IT platforms, including cloud infrastructure (AWS/Azure), Microsoft 365, systems administration, patching, backups and endpoint management.
- Proven experience delivering IT projects such as infrastructure upgrades, security uplift initiatives and system enhancements.
- Sound understanding of cybersecurity, privacy and governance frameworks, including Essential Eight and risk management practices.
- Experience leading IT team and managing external vendors and service providers.
- • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into clear, practical advice for a range of stakeholders.
- • A proactive, improvement-focused mindset and strong alignment with Cairnmillar’s values and purpose in mental health and education.
Why join Cairnmillar
• Hybrid work options and a supportive, values-driven environment
• Inclusive and collaborative team culture
• Opportunities to shape and lead meaningful digital change
• Purpose-driven work supporting mental health and education
• Salary packaging options available
Application closing date: 10 March 2026
To apply
Please attach your CV and a brief statement outlining your interest, relevant skills and experience.
Applicants are encouraged to refer to the full Position Description for detailed responsibilities and requirements on our website
https://www.cairnmillar.org.au/about/careers-at-cmi/job-search/director-it-operations-services/
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. A Police Check and Working with Children Check will be required from the successful applicant as a condition of employment.
Child Safety & Equal Opportunity
Our organisation is committed to child safety. We have zero tolerance for child abuse.
Cairnmillar is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and developing a diverse workforce that reflects the community it serves.
