---
title: 'Head of Data & Architecture at Circular Economy Systems'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-data-architecture-circular-economy-systems-sydney-h6mrzpgmcfmb'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-24'
---

# Head of Data & Architecture at Circular Economy Systems

- **Company:** Circular Economy Systems
- **Location:** Sydney, Australia
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-09-24
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-24
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/circulareconomysystems/434987bb-285e-44fa-8c94-14b909260122

## Job description

## About CES

Accelerating the transition to a circular economy We are proud to be an active contributor in the circular economy through container deposit schemes (10c refund for eligible drink containers). We help our scheme partners to recycle close to 10 million drink containers every day, diverting them from landfill into the circular economy.

Our technology and services enable the circular lifecycle of drink containers. We have a large in-house software engineering team using modern technology stacks to develop and support our products. As well as a suite of SaaS products, our range of business services includes accounting, payments, brand & marketing, materials trading, HR, customer service and support.

CES was formed in 2017 as a joint venture between Lion and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and has grown rapidly. We are headquartered in North Sydney, near public transport with beautiful harbour views. Our teams are passionate about our mission to ensure valuable materials are recycled and not wasted. We provide an inclusive culture, hybrid and flexible working and career development to bring the best out in our people.

Originally known as Container Exchange Services, we have rebranded to Circular Economy Systems to recognise our vision to be leaders in the transition to a circular economy.

## About the role

We are seeking an experienced technology leader to establish and lead CES's Data & Architecture function. Reporting to the Chief Technology Officer, this newly created leadership role will bring together accountability for Data Strategy, Data Governance, Data Engineering and Enterprise Architecture. As CES continues to scale its technology platforms, business operations and international footprint, this role will define the strategic foundations required to support future growth. The Head of Data & Architecture will be responsible for creating a clear vision and roadmap for how data is governed, managed and leveraged across the organisation, while also establishing the architecture principles, standards and decision-making frameworks that support scalable, secure and sustainable technology outcomes. This role will work across Technology, Product and business functions to improve data maturity, strengthen governance, guide platform evolution and provide strategic leadership across enterprise architecture, data platforms, master data management and emerging AI opportunities Responsibilities:

- Define and lead CES's enterprise Data & Architecture strategy, ensuring both disciplines support business growth, scalability and future platform evolution.
- Establish clear governance, ownership and decision-making frameworks across data, architecture and technology strategy.
- Mature CES's data capability, including data governance, data quality, master data management and enterprise data practices.
- Shape the future direction of CES's data platforms and engineering capability, ensuring scalable and reliable foundations for the organisation.
- Establish enterprise architecture principles, standards and target-state roadmaps that reduce complexity and support long-term growth.
- Guide strategic technology decisions across platforms, integrations, APIs, data services and emerging technologies, including AI opportunities.
- Build strong partnerships across Technology and the broader business, translating complex technical concepts into clear business outcomes and recommendations.
- Develop the operating model, team capability and future organisational structure required to scale the Data & Architecture function over time.

## About you

- Significant experience leading enterprise Data, Data Engineering, Data Platform or Architecture functions within complex organisations.
- Proven success establishing or maturing data governance, data strategy and architecture capabilities.
- Experience defining enterprise-wide operating models, governance frameworks and strategic roadmaps.
- Strong understanding of modern data platforms, cloud ecosystems and data management practices.
- Experience operating at senior leadership level with responsibility for organisational outcomes rather than individual technical delivery.
- Experience leading teams, building capability and influencing across multiple stakeholders.

## Nice to have

- Experience with Snowflake or modern cloud-native data platforms.
- Exposure to Master Data Management (MDM) programs.
- Experience establishing AI strategies, governance frameworks or data-driven products.
- Background in SaaS, fintech, digital platforms or highly regulated environments.
- Experience building client-facing data products or information services.

## Our Values

- Scheme success is our success: Our mission is to accelerate recycling rates. We make decisions in the best interest of all schemes to maximise our impact for individuals, community, and the environment.
- Win as a Team: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Great things are achieved in teams that combine the right expertise and leadership.
- Make a Difference: Take initiative, take ownership. Openly communicate the outcome you want and go make it happen!
- Be Engaged: Reflect your passion in your work, no matter the task or challenge. Your engagement is a source of inspiration to your peers. Do the Right Thing: Do the right thing by others and the company, and the rest will follow. Seek win-win outcomes, listen, act inclusively, and always aim for better.

## About Circular Economy Systems

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Circular Economy Systems (CES) provides specialised recycling payments technology and services to accelerate the success of Container Return Schemes (also known as Deposit Return Schemes).
- **Entity Type**: Private (Joint Venture between Lion and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners)
- **Headquarters**: North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- **Founded**: 2017 (originally as Container Exchange Services; rebranded to Circular Economy Systems in 2024)
- **Founders**: Chris Blayney (CEO & Founder)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Recycling payments technology / Circular economy / Environmental services
- **Target customers**: B2B – Scheme Coordinators, Network Operators, and government authorities running Container Deposit Schemes (DRS)
- **Mission or purpose**: “Create a world where resources never go to waste” – accelerating the transition to a circular economy for beverage packaging.

## Products & Services
- **CES Payments Platform**: SaaS-based payment processing for container refunds (e.g., 10¢ per container) and complex commercial transactions between scheme partners. Processes millions of payments per month.
- **Scheme Management Services**: Full lifecycle support including accounting, brand & marketing, materials trading, HR, customer service, and refund point operations.
- **Business Services Suite**: Consulting, data analytics, and operational services to help schemes scale quickly and efficiently.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (private joint venture)
- **Key Metric**: Over **11 billion containers** processed since 2017; **7–8 million containers** returned per day across four live schemes.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Formed as a joint venture by **Lion** and **Coca-Cola Europacific Partners**; partners with multiple scheme coordinators and network operators.
- **Growth Signals**: Rapid headcount growth (94 employees as of 2025), expansion from Australian origins to international schemes, and rebranding to reflect broader circular economy ambitions.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Deep domain expertise**: Specialists in Container Deposit Scheme technology and operations for over a decade.
- **Proven track record**: Powered the launch of four major schemes, handling real-world complexity at scale.
- **Integrated platform**: Combines payments, materials trading, and business services – reducing risk and time-to-scale for new schemes.
- **Mission-driven team**: Purpose attracts top talent passionate about sustainability and environmental impact.

## Strategic Focus
- **Global expansion**: Targeting new DRS schemes worldwide, leveraging experience from successful launches.
- **Continuous product innovation**: In-house software development team using modern tech stacks (D365, Power Platform, etc.) to improve platform efficiency and scalability.
- **Deepening partnerships**: Working closely with scheme coordinators and network operators to maximise recycling rates and material recovery.

## Why Work Here
- **Purpose-led culture**: Employees are driven by a mission to create a sustainable circular economy – “Make a Difference” is a core value.
- **Hybrid & flexible work**: Hybrid model with headquarters in North Sydney offering harbour views; employees typically work from the office part-time.
- **Strong engineering team**: Large in-house software engineering group using modern stacks; opportunities to work on impactful, high-scale systems.
- **Values-driven environment**: Values include “Do the Right Thing”, “Be Engaged”, “Win as a Team”, and “Make a Difference”.
- **Career development**: Emphasis on growth, with behavioural-based interviews and a supportive People & Culture team.
- **Perks**: Located near North Sydney train station; collaborative, inclusive atmosphere with a focus on environmental impact.

## Sources
1. [circulareconomysystems.com](https://circulareconomysystems.com/)
2. [circulareconomysystems.com/about](https://circulareconomysystems.com/about)
3. [circulareconomysystems.com/careers](https://circulareconomysystems.com/careers)
4. [builtin.com/company/circular-economy-systems-ces](https://builtin.com/company/circular-economy-systems-ces)
5. [jobs.ashbyhq.com/circulareconomysystems](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/circulareconomysystems)

## Other roles at Circular Economy Systems

- [Project Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/project-manager-circular-economy-systems-sydney-sbwfcedb44tg) — Sydney, Australia
- [Client Success Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/client-success-manager-circular-economy-systems-sydney-yryn5133bts0) — Sydney, Australia
- [Change Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/change-manager-circular-economy-systems-sydney-8sw5javpkmc5) — Sydney, Australia
- [Senior Product Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-product-manager-circular-economy-systems-sydney-a5eat2yza2r0) — Sydney, Australia
- [D365 F&O Functional Consultant](https://feeny.ai/job/d365-f-o-functional-consultant-circular-economy-systems-manila-594sbt2b013b) — Manila, Philippines
- [Talent Acquisition Specialist (Fixed-Term)](https://feeny.ai/job/talent-acquisition-specialist-fixed-term-circular-economy-systems-manila-fs2xabc51cwm) — Manila, Philippines
- [Azure Integration Developer](https://feeny.ai/job/azure-integration-developer-circular-economy-systems-manila-ppmh0yhy45a5) — Manila, Philippines