Project Manager

Operations Manager Active Directory & Microsoft 365 Services

Job Summary:

The Operations Manager for Active Directory and Microsoft 365 Services will oversee all aspects of the organization s identity and access management (IAM), on-premises directory services, and cloud-based productivity solutions. This leader is responsible for ensuring reliable, secure, and compliant operation of AD and M365 platforms, managing a technical team, and championing service delivery and digital transformation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead daily operations for on-premises Active Directory, Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), and Microsoft 365 environments.

• Oversee administration, health, and optimization of AD domains, trusts, Group Policy Objects (GPOs), and directory synchronization (AAD Connect/Entra Connect).

• Manage the Microsoft 365 platform, including Exchange Online, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, Intune, and Security/Compliance Center.

• Coordinate hybrid identity strategies (SSO, federation, Conditional Access).

• Develop and implement IAM policies for least privilege, access reviews, and user lifecycle (joiner/mover/leaver) processes.

• Ensure high availability, security, and compliance for identity and M365 services, including backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity.

• Lead and mentor a team of AD/M365 administrators and support staff.

• Handle escalations, incidents, and change management for AD and M365 services ensure timely resolution and perform root cause analysis.

• Collaborate with other IT and business teams to understand requirements, design solutions, and improve end-user workplace experiences.

• Drive automation and process improvements via PowerShell, Entra ID, Power Platform, and other tools.

• Monitor, report, and optimize system health, performance, and licensing using Admin Centers, Azure Monitor, and third-party solutions.

• Maintain documentation, SOPs, and operational runbooks for all identity and Microsoft 365 workflows.

• Stay updated on Microsoft 365, Azure AD, security, and compliance roadmap, and introduce relevant new features.

• Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders and technical teams.

• Develop detailed project plans, including schedules, resource allocation, risk mitigation, and change management processes.

• Coordinate internal and external resources to ensure project milestones are met on time and within budget.

• Act as a liaison between engineering, product management, and business teams.

• Identify and resolve issues or roadblocks that could impact project timelines or deliverables.

• Track project progress using appropriate tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Microsoft Project) and regularly report on status to stakeholders.

• Facilitate daily standups, sprint planning, and retrospectives if using Agile methodologies.

• Ensure adherence to technical and quality standards throughout the project lifecycle.

• Manage documentation, version control, and handoff to support or operations teams upon project completion.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor s degree in computer science, Information Systems, or related field.

• 15+ years of experience with Active Directory, Azure AD/Entra, Microsoft 365; 3+ years in a leadership role.

• Hands-on experience with ADDS, GPO, AAD Connect, hybrid directory, and M365 administration.

• Strong understanding of IAM, security best practices, and compliance standards (e.g., GDPR, ISO 27001).

• Advanced troubleshooting, incident management, and PowerShell scripting skills.

• Familiarity with ITSM frameworks (ITIL), automation, and workflow improvement.

• Microsoft certifications (e.g., MS-102, Enterprise Administrator Expert, Security, Identity) preferred.

Preferred Skills:

• Conditional Access and Zero Trust security practices

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and self-service password reset (SSPR) deployments

• Microsoft Security & Compliance Center, Defender for Office 365

• Data Loss Prevention (DLP), information protection, and auditing

• Experience with merger/acquisition domain consolidation a plus

• Proven experience managing projects using Agile, Scrum, and/or Waterfall methodologies.

• Experience with project management tools like Jira, Trello, Confluence, MS Project, or Asana.

Key Skills

• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to break down complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.

• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and organizational abilities.