Senior IT Associate

Qualifications / Prerequisites

• 7-10 years of proven experience as an IT Manager, IT Head, or in a relevant senior IT role.
• Excellent knowledge of technical management, information analysis, and computer hardware/software systems.
• Expertise in data center management and data governance.
• Hands-on experience with computer networks, network administration, and network installation.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage personnel effectively.
• Certifications: ITIL / PMP / Prince2 & relevant technical certifications.
• Proficiency in preparing and controlling operational budgets.
• Extensive experience in implementing and managing operational plans.
• Strong ability to identify and address performance-related issues.
• Familiarity with planning, implementing, and monitoring KPIs.

Key Responsibilities

1. Infrastructure & Systems Management

• Administer Windows Server, Active Directory, Office 365, Azure AD, Exchange Online, and Azure Virtual Machines (VMs).
• Manage and optimize Azure resources for performance, reliability, and cost efficiency.
• Support virtualization environments (VMware) and backup systems (QNAP or equivalent).
• Manage and maintain VPN connectivity (Sophos or equivalent) for secure remote and site-to-site access.

2. Network & Security Management

• Configure, monitor, and maintain firewalls (Sophos, Fortinet, Palo Alto, Cisco ASA, or equivalent) to ensure network security.
• Oversee LAN/WAN infrastructure, VLANs, switches, routers, and Wi-Fi networks.
• Implement and monitor endpoint protection, patch management, and device compliance using tools such as Microsoft Intune or equivalent.

3. Incident, Monitoring & Compliance

• Handle and manage IT incidents, ensuring timely resolution and minimal downtime.
• Monitor system, network, and security logs (e.g., Event Viewer).
• Ensure compliance with IT policies, security frameworks, and regulations (e.g., SOC 2).
• Support IT and security audits, documentation, and closure of audit findings.

4. Vendor & Subscription Management

• Manage IT vendors and service providers to ensure SLA compliance and service quality.
• Track and renew software licenses, cloud subscriptions (Azure, Office 365), and support contracts.
• Evaluate vendor performance, manage procurement, and assist with IT budgeting.

5. Communication & Collaboration

• Proactively communicate with end users regarding alerts, maintenance, incidents, and system activities.
• Collaborate with internal teams to execute IT projects, migrations, and upgrades.

6. Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Propose innovative ideas to automate, streamline, and enhance IT operations and security posture.
• Identify opportunities to optimize Azure, VPN, and firewall performance to improve user experience.
• Stay updated with emerging technologies and recommend adoption of relevant solutions.

7. Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain IT asset inventory, network diagrams, incident records, and configuration documentation.
• Generate periodic (monthly/yearly) reports on infrastructure health, incidents, and performance metrics.