IT Operations Specialist – Application and Security

About Guardian Childcare & Education

At Guardian, we believe childcare is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
Guardian Childcare & Education is one of Australia’s leading early learning providers, supporting children, families and teams across a large network of early learning centres.
Behind our Centres is a diverse and increasingly sophisticated technology environment. Our Technology & Systems team plays an important role in keeping our people connected, our systems secure and our Centres operating effectively.
We’re looking for an experienced and hands-on IT Operations Specialist – Applications & Security to join our team and help us support, secure, automate and continuously improve the technology our people rely on every day.

The Opportunity

This is a varied technical role for someone who enjoys getting hands-on with technology and solving real business problems.
You’ll become a technical Subject Matter Expert across a range of Guardian’s core applications and Microsoft technologies, while also playing an important role in the security, monitoring and ongoing improvement of our technology environment.
Working across applications, Microsoft 365, Azure, security, automation, integrations and support, you’ll have the opportunity to work on everything from troubleshooting complex Level 2 and Level 3 issues through to developing PowerShell automation, improving security controls and delivering integrations between business systems.
Importantly, you’ll work closely with people across Guardian – from Centre teams through to Support Office functions, technology vendors and senior leaders – so the ability to translate technical concepts into practical solutions is just as important as your technical capability.

Location: Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney

What You’ll Be Doing

In this role, you will:

• Become a technical SME for a range of Guardian’s core business applications and information systems.
• Support and administer Microsoft technologies including Microsoft 365, Azure/Entra ID and SharePoint.
• Provide hands-on Level 2 and Level 3 technical support, troubleshooting complex application, integration and security issues.
• Assist with the monitoring, maintenance and continuous improvement of Guardian’s cybersecurity environment and controls.
• Monitor systems, security platforms and logs to identify anomalies, potential threats and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and maintain PowerShell, Python and other automation solutions to improve operational efficiency and reduce manual processes.
• Design, configure and support application workflows, integrations, interfaces and data exchanges.
• Work with SQL databases and data sources when troubleshooting, integrating or developing solutions.
• Develop pragmatic technical solutions that consider security, performance, maintainability and, most importantly, the end-user experience.
• Work with third-party technology vendors to resolve incidents, improve service delivery and implement new capabilities.
• Contribute technical expertise to IT and business projects.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, automate repetitive activities and make better use of existing technology.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, operational procedures and security documentation.
• Share knowledge and provide technical guidance and mentoring across the IT team.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who is technically capable, curious and comfortable working across multiple technology disciplines.
You don’t necessarily need to be a specialist in everything from day one. What matters is that you have strong technical foundations, enjoy learning new technologies and are prepared to investigate problems until you understand how they work and how to fix them.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• A tertiary qualification in Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong experience supporting and administering the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
• Experience with Azure and/or Microsoft Entra ID.
• Hands-on experience with application and systems security.
• Exposure to SIEM, security monitoring and logging platforms, ideally within the Microsoft security ecosystem.
• Experience developing automation or solutions using PowerShell, Python or similar technologies.
• An understanding of SQL and relational databases.
• Experience supporting enterprise applications, integrations, workflows and APIs.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to work through complex technical issues across multiple systems.
• Experience working with vendors and external technology partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to communicate technical concepts to people who don’t work in technology every day.

Microsoft and Azure certifications would be highly regarded, as would experience supporting technology across a large, geographically distributed organisation.

The Person We’re Looking For

Technical skills are important, but how you approach problems is equally important.

You’ll be someone who:

1. Enjoys being hands-on rather than simply escalating technical problems to somebody else.
2. Is naturally curious and likes understanding how systems work.
3. Takes ownership of issues and follows them through to resolution.
4. Looks for opportunities to automate and improve rather than accepting repetitive manual processes.
5. Can think laterally when the obvious solution isn’t necessarily the best solution.
6. Understands that the best technical solution is one that actually works for the people using it.
7. Can balance security and technical requirements with usability and operational needs.
8. Is comfortable working independently but enjoys being part of a collaborative IT team.
9. Can manage competing priorities in a busy operational environment.
10. Communicates clearly and professionally with everyone from frontline Centre teams to senior leaders and technology vendors.

Why Guardian?

At Guardian, technology supports something meaningful – helping our Centre teams provide outstanding experiences for children and families.
You’ll join a supportive Technology & Systems team where you’ll have the opportunity to work across a broad technology environment rather than being restricted to one narrow technical area.

We offer:

1. Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
2. Opportunities to work across applications, cloud, automation and cybersecurity
3. Support for relevant professional development and certifications
4. Career development opportunities within a growing organisation
5. Childcare discounts
6. A supportive environment with the autonomy and accountability to make a genuine impact

If you’re a technically curious IT professional who enjoys solving complex problems, automating processes, improving security and making technology work better for people, we’d love to hear from you!

Apply now and help us continue to build secure, reliable and effective technology services for Guardian’s teams, Centres, children and families.

 
Guardian Childcare & Education values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences strengthen our teams and help us grow. We are committed to providing a workplace where every person is valued, respected, and supported to progress.

At Guardian Childcare & Education, children’s safety and wellbeing are our top priority. We have zero tolerance for any form of abuse or harm. We rigorously screen all potential team members, requiring a 10-year verifiable resume, 5 years of direct manager references, and other security checks to ensure they meet our high standards.
*for those who have not been in employment that long, these expectations will be adjusted.