Senior Systems Administrator Lead

My North Dublin based client is recruiting for a Senior Systems Administrator Lead to join the team for a 12 month fixed term contract. This role will be hybrid working.  The Senior Systems Administrator  Lead is a senior, hands-on technical role responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, and optimisation of core systems and infrastructure. This role acts as the technical lead for systems administration, taking direct ownership of complex issues, leading by example, and ensuring stable, secure, and high-performing environments while guiding operational priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Hands-On Systems Leadership

• Act as the technical lead and escalation point for systems, infrastructure, and operational issues.
• Design, build, configure, and maintain enterprise systems, servers, platforms, and core services.
• Take direct ownership of complex troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and permanent fixes across systems and infrastructure.
• Lead by example through hands-on delivery, setting technical standards, best practices, and documentation.
• Translate business requirements into technical solutions, balancing reliability, security, and performance.
• Continuously assess and improve system architecture, performance, and resilience.
• Stay current with emerging technologies, tools, and automation opportunities relevant to systems administration.

Service Delivery & Operational Excellence

• Personally contribute to day-to-day operational support, including second- and third-line support activities.
• Own system availability, performance, patching, and lifecycle management.
• Define and track operational KPIs, using metrics to drive reliability and service improvements.
• Lead incident response and recovery, including hands-on remediation and post-incident reviews.
• Implement monitoring, alerting, backup, and disaster recovery solutions.
• Drive proactive maintenance and automation to reduce incidents and improve operational efficiency.

Project Delivery & Technical Ownership

• Lead and deliver infrastructure and systems projects end to end, from design through implementation and handover.
• Hands-on implementation of system upgrades, migrations, and new services, including cloud and hybrid environments.
• Evaluate, select, and implement tools, platforms, and technologies that support operational needs.
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure technical solutions meet functional and non-functional requirements.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, standards, and runbooks.

Vendor & Platform Management

• Work directly with vendors and service providers, resolving technical issues and managing escalations.
• Validate vendor solutions through hands-on testing and implementation oversight.
• Review vendor performance from a technical and operational perspective.
• Manage licensing, renewals, and system-related costs.

Security, Governance & Risk

• Implement and maintain security controls across systems, networks, and platforms.
• Perform patching, vulnerability management, and security hardening.
• Ensure systems comply with security, data protection, and governance requirements.
• Actively participate in audits, reviews, and risk assessments, providing technical input and evidence.
• Identify and remediate security and operational risks through practical, hands-on action.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a hands-on senior systems administration role, with responsibility for complex environments.
• Strong experience designing, supporting, and optimising enterprise systems and infrastructure.
• Proven ability to lead technically while remaining deeply involved in delivery.
• Strong troubleshooting, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working in regulated or high-availability environments is advantageous.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Advanced experience with Microsoft technologies, including Office 365, Azure AD / Entra ID, Dynamics, and Power BI.
• Strong expertise in Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, networking, and virtualization.
• Experience with cloud and hybrid environments (e.g. Azure).
• Solid understanding of cybersecurity principles, backup, disaster recovery, and monitoring.
• Working knowledge of data protection and privacy regulations (e.g. GDPR).
• Experience with scripting and automation (PowerShell or similar) is a strong advantage.

HOW TO APPLY:
  To apply for this role, please submit your updated CV. If your skills and experience match job requirements, you will be contacted to discuss your application in detail.

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Skills:
Systems Administration Infrastructure Azure Office365 Microsoft Suite Networks Cyber Security