Lead Systems Administrator

S&C

$116K — $154K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Post-secondary education in relevant field or equivalent experience
  • 5+ years of senior-level enterprise IT experience
  • Relevant certifications (Microsoft AZ-104, AZ-305, AZ-800)
  • Experienced with Azure administration and on-premise systems
  • Advanced knowledge of Windows Server and Active Directory
  • Ability to troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues
  • Strong leadership and mentoring skills

Responsibilities

  • Lead design and implementation of enterprise infrastructure systems
  • Manage cloud infrastructure, Microsoft 365, and identity services
  • Administer on-premise data center operations and virtualization
  • Serve as escalation point for complex infrastructure incidents
  • Develop and enforce system administration standards
  • Automate management tasks using PowerShell or similar tools
  • Mentor team members and guide technical direction

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and welfare benefits including medical, dental, and vision
  • Generous vacation, sick time, and paid holidays
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan with company contributions
  • Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
  • Short-term and long-term disability benefits
  • Parental leave and military leave options
Full Job Description
Job Description

Hours
• 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Mon-Fri) Hybrid 3 Days On-Site Requirement

Compensation

At S&C, we are dedicated to providing competitive and equitable compensation for all our team members, and we are committed to transparency in our pay practices. The estimated annual base salary range for this position in the United States is $116,534 - $154,413.00 Individual pay within this salary range is determined by several compensable factors, including performance, knowledge, job-related skills and experience, and relevant education or training. This role is also eligible for S&C's annual incentive plan (AIP), subject to eligibility criteria.

Join our Team as a Lead Systems Administrator!

The Lead Systems Administrator provides senior technical leadership for the strategy, design, implementation, operation, security, and continuous improvement of enterprise infrastructure systems, including Azure environments, on-premise data centers, Microsoft 365, identity services, servers, virtualization, endpoint management, backup, and monitoring. This role oversees architecture and performance, mentors team members, guides technical direction across IT and the business, supports short- and long-term technology roadmaps, and serves as an escalation point for complex infrastructure issues.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the strategy, design, implementation, administration, monitoring, maintenance, operation, and continuous improvement of enterprise server, Azure, identity, endpoint, on-premise data center, and infrastructure platforms to ensure high availability, security, performance, and business continuity.
  • Manage the cloud infrastructure, Microsoft 365, Entra ID, endpoint management, identity integrations, access controls, and hybrid cloud services in alignment with security and operational standards.
  • Administer on-premise data centre infrastructure, including server hardware, virtualization hosts, storage, backup systems, monitoring tools, and related operational processes.
  • Administer Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, file services, and related enterprise infrastructure services.
  • Serve as the senior escalation point for complex infrastructure incidents, root cause analysis, service restoration, and problem management.
  • Develop and enforce system administration standards, patching practices, configuration baselines, documentation, monitoring, and operational procedures.
  • Lead infrastructure projects, upgrades, migrations, automation initiatives, and governance activities from planning through implementation and support transition.
  • Automate recurring administrative tasks using PowerShell or similar tools to improve consistency, reduce manual effort, and strengthen operational controls.
  • Partner with Cyber Security, Network, Operational Technology, other IT and business teams to deliver reliable technology services and resolve cross-functional issues.
  • Oversee infrastructure architecture, security posture, and system performance while guiding technical direction across IT and business stakeholders.
  • Partner with cybersecurity teams to implement secure configuration standards, support vulnerability remediation, strengthen privileged access controls, and ensure infrastructure platforms meet security and compliance requirements.
  • Support disaster recovery design, planning, implementation, testing, backup validation, recovery procedures, and infrastructure resilience improvements.
  • Coordinate with vendors and service providers for support escalations, renewals, technical evaluations, lifecycle planning, and service improvement.
  • Assist the manager in developing short-term and long-term technology roadmaps, including infrastructure lifecycle planning, refresh planning, modernization priorities, capacity forecasting, technical debt reduction, legacy system retirement, security improvements, and business-aligned technology initiatives.
  • Mentor systems administrators, review technical work, promote knowledge sharing, and contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.
  • Coordinate with vendors and service providers for support escalations, renewals, technical evaluations, lifecycle planning, and service improvement.
  • Assist the manager in developing short-term and long-term technology roadmaps, including infrastructure lifecycle planning, refresh planning, modernization priorities, capacity forecasting, technical debt reduction, legacy system retirement, security improvements, and business-aligned technology initiatives.
  • Mentor systems administrators, review technical work, promote knowledge sharing, and contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.


Additional Functions
  • Support additional operational, administrative, and project-related activities as needed to maintain reliable IT services and advance departmental objectives.
  • Participate in change management, incident response, maintenance windows, and on-call support as required.
  • Prepare operational reports, technical documentation, diagrams, runbooks, and knowledge base articles.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies, vendor solutions, and process improvements that may enhance infrastructure reliability, security, or efficiency.
  • Maintain regular and punctual attendance and attend in-person or virtual meetings as requested or required.
  • Communicate effectively and respectfully with team members, stakeholders, vendors, and business partners.
  • Perform other responsibilities as assigned.


What you'll need to succeed

Required
  • Post-secondary education in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
  • 5+ years of senior-level experience supporting enterprise IT environments and leading complex technical initiatives.
  • Microsoft AZ-104, AZ-305, AZ-800, or equivalent relevant certification
  • Experience with Azure administration, including virtual machines, storage, networking, monitoring, governance, security controls, cost awareness, hybrid management tools, Microsoft 365, Entra ID, identity and access management, on-premise data center hardware and operations, and hybrid cloud administration.
  • Advanced knowledge of Windows Server administration, Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, file services, patching, monitoring, backup, and disaster recovery practices.
  • Ability to troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues, lead root cause analysis, and communicate technical findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Experience developing standards, procedures, runbooks, automation scripts, technical documentation, and operational reporting.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead technical work, mentor team members, prioritize competing demands, and work effectively across teams.
  • Strong leadership competencies, including technical judgment, strategic thinking, coaching and mentoring, stakeholder management, ownership and accountability, and clear communication with technical and business audiences.
  • Capable of embracing diversity and equity to contribute to a respectful and inclusive workplace.


Preferred
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Additional education or training in cloud administration, cybersecurity, identity management, endpoint management, or IT service management.
  • VMware Certified Professional, CompTIA Server+, or equivalent relevant certification
  • ITIL Foundation or equivalent relevant certification
  • Strong working knowledge of Azure infrastructure services, Azure Arc, Microsoft Defender, Intune, PowerShell automation, virtualization platforms, configuration management, IT service management tools, and infrastructure governance practices.
  • Experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, global, or highly regulated environments.


Physical Requirements

Sitting: Frequently required to remain in a stationary position and perform desk-based work for extended periods during the workday.

Walking: Occasionally required to walk moderate distances within office, data centre, or site locations.

Manual Dexterity: Frequently required to use hand-eye coordination to operate office productivity equipment, computers, mobile devices, and related technology tools.

Ascending / Descending: Occasionally required to ascend or descend stairs and access equipment rooms or similar work areas.

Observation / Eyesight: Frequently required to observe details at close range, including computer screens, system consoles, documentation, and equipment indicators.

Communication: Frequently required to communicate in person, by phone, through conference calls, and through written digital channels.

Travel: Occasionally required to travel to company locations or vendor sites and work outside standard business hours during planned maintenance, incident response, or project activities.

S&C provides a comprehensive and competitive benefit package that includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):
  • Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical & Prescription, Dental, Vision, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, , Health Savings Account (HSA), Group Life Insurance, optional Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance, Wellbeing Resources including Employee Assistance Program and Family Forming Benefits (i.e., Adoption and Fertility support)
  • Leave Benefits: Vacation Time, Sick Time, Paid Holidays and Company Shutdown days, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Other Leaves, Paid Parental Time and Military Leave

Retirement Benefits: 401(k) Retirement Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (KSOP) offering traditional and Roth 401(k) options and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) component; KSOP participants can receive annual ESOP company contributions of over 11% of eligible earnings (3% Core, up to 3.5% Match, Variable Periodic).

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