Senior System Administrator

About the role

The Senior Systems Administrator will serve as a critical member of Penhall's IT team, responsible for maintaining and enhancing the company’s IT infrastructure, both on-premises and in the cloud. This role will focus on ensuring high system availability, top-tier support, and adherence to IT best practices while delivering efficient and scalable solutions.

Responsibilities

• Manage and administer on-premises and cloud-based IT infrastructure, including networking, servers, Active Directory, Azure, Microsoft 365, Track IT, and cybersecurity programs.
• Serve as the highest escalation point for IT-related challenges, engaging with vendors and troubleshooting complex issues.
• Design, implement, and optimize systems maintenance plans, including system performance monitoring, patching, and disaster recovery testing, with a focus on automation and improvement opportunities.
• Champion cybersecurity best practices, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), least-privilege access, conditional access, and secure system configurations.
• Lead efforts to replace or upgrade existing systems and align IT infrastructure with business goals.
• Maintain and document IT processes, policies, and systems configurations (e.g., network diagrams, patch management, disaster recovery, security measures).
• Configure and manage firewalls, switches, wireless access points, VPNs, and other networking devices.
• Monitor, analyze, and act on system and security alerts, including those from Proofpoint and CrowdStrike platforms.
• Deploy and manage backup and recovery solutions, ensuring data integrity and business continuity.
• Create, maintain, and optimize PowerShell scripts and other automation tools to streamline repetitive IT tasks.
• Conduct regular network audits and implement corrective measures as needed.
• Manage and implement endpoint configuration tools, such as Automox, to ensure systems are secure and compliant.
• Provide exceptional customer support to internal stakeholders and assist in resolving IT-related issues in a timely manner.
• Author and maintain technical documentation using tools such as Microsoft Visio, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Stay informed of emerging IT trends and technologies and recommend relevant solutions for Penhall’s needs.
• Provide training, guidance, and mentorship to junior team members and support staff.

Requirements

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 ecosystem, including Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
• In-depth knowledge of Azure AD, including SSO, conditional access, synchronization methods, and group policy management.
• Expertise in cybersecurity measures, including endpoint protection, encryption, intrusion detection, and secure configurations.
• Strong experience with cloud platforms, particularly Azure, and performing premise-to-cloud migrations.
• Advanced skills in PowerShell scripting and other automation tools.
• Proficiency in managing virtualization platforms such as VMware or Azure.
• Networking expertise, including DHCP, DNS, VLANs, and troubleshooting using packet capture tools.
• Familiarity with enterprise backup solutions like Veeam and storage systems, including SAN and iSCSI technologies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information to non-technical stakeholders.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems or a related field, or equivalent experience and certifications. Minimum of 5+ years of systems administration experience in an enterprise environment. Certifications such as Microsoft 365 or MCSE are preferred.

Skills

• Problem Solving: Ability to efficiently diagnose and resolve technical issues.
• Critical Thinking: Anticipates potential IT challenges and develops proactive solutions.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures accuracy in configurations, updates, and documentation.
• Communication Skills: Clearly explains technical concepts to stakeholders and creates comprehensive documentation.
• Team Collaboration: Works effectively with IT, development, and operations teams to achieve infrastructure goals.
• Customer Service Orientation: Delivers timely and effective support to end-users and stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Responds to evolving technologies and organizational priorities with flexibility.