Overview
Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $142,790 - $191,084
Grade: VPS 6
Occupation: IT and telecommunications
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/FPIS/1952350
The AI and Data Architect provides the department’s specialist architecture, standards, assurance and emerging capability advice for artificial intelligence, and to enable data architecture and enterprise data initiatives.
About the Department
The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for the future of the economy and society.
About the Branch
The Information Management Branch oversees how data is collected, organised, distributed, and utilised across schools, early childhood education, corporate offices, and the Department. Focus areas include the Data Governance Council and custodianship model, ensuring accountability and stewardship of data; advanced analytics; Business Intelligence (BI); Artificial Intelligence (AI), Master Data Management (MDM) for data integrity; and the use of data warehousing for effective data organisation. By collaborating with stakeholders, initiatives are aligned with departmental goals, fostering data-driven decision-making to improve educational and wellbeing outcomes for children and students.
About the Role
The AI and Data Architect provides the department's specialist architecture, standards, assurance and emerging capability advice for artificial intelligence, and to enable data architecture and enterprise data initiatives.
The role advises governance forums, business owners and technical teams on the design, architecture and delivery of AI-enabled technology projects; establishes architectural standards, evaluation and monitoring requirements; develops and advises on AI-specific controls and non-functional requirements; advises on responses to significant AI-related incidents and behavioural events; and supports the governed delivery and operation of AI-enabled technology services across the department.
The role also leads initiatives relating to the department's data architecture and enterprise data analytics platform, providing architectural advice and guidance to support alignment, integration, reuse and effective enterprise data analytics capability.
About you
To be successful in this role you will have:
- Demonstrated expertise in enterprise, solution, data or technology architecture, with experience providing architecture, standards and assurance advice for complex digital, data and AI-enabled services.
- Proven experience advising on artificial intelligence initiatives, including architecture, governance, risk, controls, non-functional requirements and delivery considerations in complex organisational environments.
- Strong knowledge of data architecture and enterprise data platforms, including the ability to support alignment, integration, reuse and the effective delivery of enterprise data and analytics capabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic and technical advice to governance forums, senior stakeholders, business owners and delivery teams.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships, influence decision-making and work collaboratively across business and technical environments.
- Highly developed analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to assess complex issues, evaluate options and provide clear, practical advice.
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in information technology, computer science, data, engineering, architecture or a related discipline are desirable. Industry certifications in enterprise architecture, cloud, data, security or AI-related disciplines would be advantageous.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
As our ideal candidate, you will have:
- A tertiary qualification in information technology, computer science, data, engineering, architecture or a related discipline is desirable.
- Demonstrated experience in enterprise, solution, data or technology architecture, including the design and assurance of complex digital or data-enabled services.
- Demonstrated experience advising on artificial intelligence initiatives, including architecture, governance, risk, controls and delivery considerations.
- Experience developing or applying architectural standards, non-functional requirements, assurance processes and design controls in complex organisational environments.
- Experience supporting data architecture initiatives and enterprise data or analytics platforms, including integration, alignment and reuse of enterprise data capabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic and technical advice to governance forums, senior stakeholders, business owners and delivery teams.
- Knowledge of contemporary practices, trends and emerging capabilities in artificial intelligence, data architecture and enterprise analytics.
- Relevant industry certifications in enterprise architecture, cloud, data, security or AI-related disciplines would be advantageous.
How to apply
To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) addressing the skills and attributes from the role statement and the capabilities from the position description.
Further Information
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.
The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page
Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.
Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.
For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Daniel Redshaw, Manager, Artificial Intelligence via daniel.redshaw@education.vic.gov.au.
Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g. large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.
Applications close 11:59pm on Tuesday 27 October 2026.
Apply now Applications close Tuesday 27 October 2026 at 11.59pm Posted 13 October 2026
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