Associate IT Manager

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Overview

The Associate IT Manager at Aokah will be responsible for managing end-to-end IT infrastructure, employee support, and security operations across a fast-growing, cloud-first and remote-first environment. As the primary owner of IT operations, this role will ensure secure, compliant, and scalable IT services for ~30 users in the near term, while laying the foundation for long-term enterprise-scale growth.

This role requires a strong hands-on technologist who thrives in dynamic startup environments, with expertise in Microsoft ecosystems, endpoint security, and zero-trust architectures. The Associate IT Manager will collaborate closely with internal teams and external vendors to deliver seamless IT support, resilient infrastructure, and robust cybersecurity capabilities that enable organizational productivity and protect enterprise assets.

Key Responsibilities

1. Core IT Operations & End-User Support

• Manage employee IT assets (laptops, devices, accessories).
• Lead provisioning, onboarding, and offboarding workflows.
• Provide onsite and remote support for Mac and Windows users.
• Manage IT helpdesk/ticketing workflows (e.g., Jira Service Desk, Freshdesk).

2. Email & Collaboration Tools

• Administer Microsoft 365 / Outlook accounts, policies, and configurations.
• Maintain Exchange Online Protection & Defender for Office 365.
• Enforce email security protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
• Manage shared mailboxes, distribution groups, and collaboration tools (Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint).

3. Identity & Access Management

• Own Entra ID (Azure AD) lifecycle and policy management.
• Implement and enforce Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) across internal/SaaS apps.
• Configure Single Sign-On (SSO) with tools such as GitHub, Figma, Slack, Confluence.
• Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and periodic access reviews.

4. Device Management & Endpoint Security

• Deploy and manage Microsoft Intune for MDM and compliance enforcement.
• Enforce security policies (disk encryption, patching, antivirus).
• Configure Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and manage incident workflows.
• Proactively monitor endpoint health and vulnerabilities.

5. Network & Security Management

• Configure and manage secure VPN access for distributed teams.
• Implement Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) principles.
• Coordinate periodic penetration tests and vulnerability assessments.
• Manage firewall, network segmentation, and secure configurations.

6. Monitoring & Incident Response

• Monitor infrastructure, endpoint, and network activity in real time.
• Lead incident detection, triage, and resolution with SLA adherence.
• Establish escalation protocols and incident dashboards.
• Build proactive monitoring with automated alerts.

7. Backup & Disaster Recovery

• Implement automated backup systems for user data and applications.
• Regularly test restore procedures against RTO/RPO targets.
• Ensure OneDrive, SharePoint, and other SaaS backups are reliable.

8. Vendor & License Management

• Manage vendor relationships for procurement, renewals, and repairs.
• Oversee software licensing, provisioning, and deprovisioning.
• Track SaaS utilization and optimize IT spend.

Key Qualifications & Skills

Must-Have:

• 7–10 years of experience in IT infrastructure, system administration, or IT operations.
• Deep expertise with Microsoft 365, Entra ID (Azure AD), Intune, and Defender.
• Strong background in VPN, endpoint security, and Zero Trust architecture.
• Hands-on troubleshooting experience across Mac and Windows systems.
• Familiarity with IT helpdesk systems and incident response workflows.
• Strong vendor and license management experience.

Preferred Experience:

• Exposure to ISO 27001 or ITIL frameworks.
• Experience supporting hybrid and remote-first teams.
• Knowledge of procurement and vendor negotiations.
• Prior experience in high-growth or startup environments.