Job Description
Job title: Active Directory SME
Will the role be 100% remote, hybrid or 100% office? Hybrid – 3 Days/Week
If the role is hybrid/ office based specify location: Wokingham, UK
Duration of assignment: 6 months contract InsideIR35
The Role:
We are seeking a skilled Windows, Active Directory, and Virtualization Engineer with strong experience across Microsoft, Azure, and VMware/Hyper V platforms. The ideal candidate will be responsible for administering Windows servers, managing identity services, maintaining virtualization infrastructure, and ensuring the stability, security, and performance of enterprise systems. This role requires strong troubleshooting capabilities, hands on operational expertise, and effective collaboration with vendors and cross functional teams.
Key responsibilities:
Windows Server Administration
Troubleshoot operating system–related issues such as unexpected restarts, server slowness, and performance bottlenecks.
Perform user and access management tasks.
Handle server commissioning and decommissioning processes.
Perform Windows Vulnerability Mitigation and Patch Management.
Conduct backup and restoration operations using approved tools and protocols.
Ensure high availability and operational stability of Windows Server environments.
Active Directory & Azure Entra Management
Manage Active Directory including user, group, and OU administration.
Maintain and configure Group Policies (GPOs) to ensure compliance and system consistency.
Perform DNS record creation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
Manage DHCP scopes, reservations, and configurations.
Administer FTP services on Windows platforms.
Handle SSL certificate issuance, renewal, and lifecycle management.
Manage Azure services, including deploying resources such as Logic Apps and related components.
Virtualization (VMware / Hyper V) Administration
Maintain and monitor overall VMware infrastructure health.
Perform VM creation, configuration enhancements, and resource optimization.
Manage snapshots, load distribution, and day to day VM troubleshooting.
Conduct environment health checks and performance assessments.
Set up and manage HA DRS clusters, ensuring system resilience and failover readiness.
Manage vNetworking, data stores, and storage allocation.
Install, configure, and onboard new ESXi/ESX hosts into the environment.
Coordinate with VMware or Hyper V vendors to resolve issues and plan upgrades.
Vendor Coordination
Act as the primary liaison for Microsoft, VMware, and other infrastructure vendors.
Coordinate troubleshooting, escalations, and support requests.
Ensure timely resolution of issues and communication with internal stakeholders.
Key skills/knowledge/experience:
Essential skills/knowledge/experience:
The ideal candidate is an experienced infrastructure engineer with deep knowledge of Windows Server Administration, Active Directory, Azure Entra, DNS/DHCP, and virtualization technologies such as VMware or Hyper V. They should be capable of managing complex server environments, addressing OS level issues, handling identity and access operations, and maintaining a healthy virtualization ecosystem. A strong understanding of patching, vulnerability remediation, backup/restore operations, and SSL certificate management is essential. Excellent troubleshooting skills, attention to detail, and the ability to coordinate with multiple vendors make this individual highly effective in fast paced enterprise environments.
8+ Years impact IT incidents that disrupt critical business services. Their job is to restore service as quickly and safely as possible while maintaining strong communication with technical teams and stakeholders. This role is for a UK based Utility company and hence demands a highly experienced Major Incident Manager. severity incidents. functional technical teams to diagnose and resolve issues. Incident Activities dive reviews to identify root cause and preventive actions. up actions with respective teams. solving mindset.
Desirable skills/knowledge/experience:
Active Directory Administration
Azure Entra ID
VMware or Hyper V
Windows Server Management
DNS, DHCP
FTP (Windows)
Understanding of server infrastructure, networking fundamentals, and enterprise security best practices.