Senior Azure Administrator

Role Overview

The Senior Azure Administrator will play a pivotal role in managing, maintaining, and optimising our cloud infrastructure on Microsoft Azure, whilst also supporting our on-premise environments. This is a hands-on technical position that demands strong expertise in cloud technologies as well as a solid foundation in traditional on-premise platforms including VMWare and Citrix. The successful candidate will ensure the reliability, security, and scalability of our IT systems, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver robust solutions supporting business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage Azure cloud infrastructure, including resource provisioning, monitoring, and optimisation.
• Administer on-premise environments, primarily utilising VMWare for virtualisation and Citrix for application and desktop delivery.
• Monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and perform regular maintenance to ensure high availability and security.
• Develop and maintain automation scripts for deployment, configuration management, and ongoing operations.
• Operating within a structured environment such as ITIL and ISO 20000 IT Service Management. This will also include documentation such as development of designs, processes and procedures
• Collaborate with development, and operations teams to ensure seamless integration between cloud and on-premise systems.
• Implement and enforce security policies, compliance standards, and backup strategies across both cloud and on-premise platforms.
• Maintain accurate documentation of system configurations, procedures, and incident management.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior team members.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and recommend improvements to enhance infrastructure efficiency and reliability.

Required Skills and Experience

• Proven experience (7+ years) in administering Microsoft Azure environments, including IaaS, PaaS, networking, and security components.
• Strong hands-on experience with VMWare vSphere, ESXi, and vCentre for virtualisation management.
• In-depth knowledge of Citrix technologies, such as Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, Citrix ADC, and related infrastructure.
• Proficiency in PowerShell, Azure CLI, or similar scripting languages for automation and configuration management.
• Solid understanding of networking principles, firewalls, VPNs, and identity management across hybrid environments.
• Experience with monitoring tools and IT service management platforms.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

Desired Skills:

• Proficiency in Azure administration and management.
• Experience with infrastructure as code (IaC) tools, specifically Terraform.
• Strong understanding of cloud security best practices.
• Ability to automate cloud deployments and manage resources using Terraform.
• Familiarity with Azure DevOps and CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities.

Desirable Qualifications

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate or higher.
• VMWare Certified Professional (VCP) or equivalent certification.
• Citrix Certified Associate/Professional certifications.
• Experience with cloud migration projects and hybrid cloud architectures.
• Familiarity with DevOps practices and tools.