IT Manager - Systems Administration

We are seeking a technical, forward-thinking IT Manager to lead the technology delivery and operations of Systems Administration-related software and services.  This role is responsible for overseeing system configuration, upgrades, and performance while partnering closely with other IT teams to drive efficiency, security, and an exceptional customer experience. The ideal candidate brings hands-on systems technical expertise, strong leadership skills, and experience managing vendors and cross-functional teams, along with a solid understanding of security, on-prem/cloud platforms, and modern practices to ensure secure, scalable, and reliable technology solutions.

The IT Manager – Systems Administration will directly manage a team of 10 Systems Administrators.  Key applications and services that the team supports include Active Directory/Entra ID, Microsoft 365, ServiceNow,  and Cisco Webex.  A more detailed list of applications and services is listed below.  The team works closely with the Service Desk, Enterprise Systems, Information Security, and various other IT teams to implement the strategic and tactical goals set by IT Leadership. 

Key Responsibilities

Systems Administration Management

• Ensure application and service uptime.  Report outages quickly and aggressively pursue remediation.
• Ensure appropriate security controls are implemented and maintained across applications and services.
• Collaborate with other teams to perform audits/health checks and to complete remediation work.
• Plan and manage the installation of upgrades and patches across the IT environment. 
• Oversee vendor management for applications and services that the Systems Administration teams own or are the stewards of.  Including contract negotiations and budgeting.
• Manage individual contributor workload, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities.  Adjusts workload and priorities as necessary.
• Maintain an up-to-date list of primary and secondary contacts for enterprise applications and services.
• Regularly meets with business units to ensure their needs are met and to identify shadow IT.
• Ensure the development of operating procedures and technical diagrams.

Strategic Initiative Management

• Lead cross-functional, enterprise-level initiatives with high visibility and complexity.
• Partner with project sponsors and business leaders to define scope, objectives, success metrics, and outcomes.
• Translate strategic goals into executable project plans and roadmaps.
• Proactively manage risks, issues, dependencies, and changes to ensure successful delivery.
• Ensure initiatives deliver measurable business value and align with strategic priorities.
• Facilitate corporate-level communication, decision-making, and escalation as needed.

Project Delivery & Execution

• Plan, execute, monitor, and close IT projects in accordance with established standards.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, resources, and vendor engagements.
• Ensure project updates and time tracking are completed within established guidelines.
• Lead and motivate cross-functional project teams without direct authority.
• Ensure clear communication of project status, milestones, risks, and impacts to stakeholders.
• Apply continuous improvement practices based on lessons learned and project retrospectives.

Stakeholder & Leadership Collaboration

• Serve as a trusted partner to IT leadership, business stakeholders, and executive sponsors.
• Balance competing priorities across multiple initiatives while maintaining delivery discipline.
• Influence change by promoting transparency, accountability, and outcomes-based execution.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3+ years of experience managing IT teams
• 5+ years of hands-on technical experience in a systems administration or enterprise systems role.
• Demonstrated experience establishing, continuously improving, and scaling collaboration technologies such as Microsoft 365 and telepresence solutions.
• Proven ability to manage multiple initiatives with competing priorities.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Experience deploying and managing cybersecurity solutions
• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira).

Directory Services

• Active Directory
• DNS/DHCP
• Certificate Services
• Group Policy
• AD Connect
• Server & Cloud Licensing

Office 365

• Exchange
• Teams
• SharePoint
• Intune
• Autopilot
• EA/CSP Licensing
• DLP

Azure

• Entra Identity
• Privileged Access
• Azure MFA
• Single Sign-On

IAM

• New Employee Onboarding
• Provisioning & Deprovisioning Accounts

Enterprise Applications

• ServiceNow
• VDI
• Cisco Webex

Security & Patching

• MEMCM(On-prem)
• Action1(Cloud)
• ThreatLocker
• Data Classification
• Secret Server
• MFA

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and execution
• Change leadership and influence
• Task management and organization
• Process design and continuous improvement
• Results-driven and detail-oriented mindset