IT Systems Administrator

Job Description

The Systems Administrator is responsible for managing and evolving the organization's IT infrastructure and application ecosystem to ensure optimal performance, scalability, and availability of business-critical systems. This role plays a key part in implementing and maintaining enterprise-grade solutions across hybrid environments, with a strong emphasis on Microsoft 365, Azure, and Active Directory services.

The administrator will also contribute to the enforcement of IT policies, procedures, and standards that align with organizational objectives, industry best practices, and regulatory compliance requirements. This includes proactive monitoring, incident response, and continuous improvement initiatives to support secure and resilient computing services.

Responsibilities

Health and Safety:

•    Maintain a safe, secure, and efficient working environment by adhering to organizational health and safety policies and exercising sound judgment in daily operations.

•    Proactively identify and report unsafe conditions, hazards, or incidents, and take appropriate action to mitigate risks in accordance with company standards and regulatory requirements.

Strategy & Planning

•    Collaborate with department managers to support capacity planning and define long-term strategic objectives for end-user computing, database infrastructure, and cloud platforms including Azure and Microsoft 365. Ensure solutions are scalable, high-performing, and aligned with evolving business needs.

•    Develop and maintain detailed documentation for all new IT infrastructure tool deployments, server configurations, virtualized environments, and disaster recovery procedures. Ensure documentation remains current, accessible, and compliant with operational and regulatory standards.

Core Responsibilities

A.    Cloud Infrastructure & Azure Administration

•    Deploy and manage Azure resources across production and development environments.

•    Configure and maintain Azure Active Directory (AAD), including Conditional Access policies, role-based access control (RBAC), and hybrid identity integrations.

•    Support cloud migration initiatives and disaster recovery planning using Azure Migrate and Azure Site Recovery.

•    Monitor and secure Azure environments using tools such as Azure Security Center, Network Security Groups (NSGs), and Azure Firewall.

B.    Microsoft 365 Administration

•    Administer Microsoft 365 services including Exchange Online, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, and Intune.

•    Implement and manage Microsoft 365 security and compliance features such as sensitivity labels, data loss prevention (DLP), and encryption policies.

•    Optimize Microsoft 365 licensing and usage to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.

•    Ensure availability and security of Microsoft 365 messaging and collaboration tools, including user accounts, shared folders/calendars, mailing lists, and Outlook Web Access.

•    Perform message archiving, retrieval, and deletion in accordance with regulatory compliance standards.

C.    Identity & Access Management

•    Manage on-premises Active Directory and Azure AD to ensure secure authentication and authorization across systems.

•    Configure and maintain Group Policies, DNS, DHCP, and other core infrastructure services.

•    Maintain Single Sign-On (SSO) configurations and federated identity integrations.

D.    Server & Systems Operations

•    Administer Windows Server environments (2016, 2019, 2022), including installation, patching, and performance tuning.

•    Manage servers including database, email, print, and backup servers, along with their associated operating systems and software.

•    Manage backups, data replication, offsite tape rotation, and restores using Veeam.

E.    Automation & Scripting

•    Automate administrative tasks using PowerShell and other scripting tools to improve operational efficiency and reduce manual overhead.

F.    Security & Compliance

•    Implement and maintain endpoint protection, vulnerability management, and incident response protocols.

•    Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to enforce security baselines and monitor system health.

•    Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations (e.g., GDPR, CISA SCB).

G.    End-User Computing & Support

•    Perform all tasks necessary to support, maintain, and implement hardware and software solutions for provisioning end-user computing services.

•    Recommend, schedule, and perform software patches, upgrades, and purchases to maintain system currency and security.

•    Ensure adherence to service desk, incident management, and change management procedures (e.g., ServiceNow).

H.    Strategic Planning & Documentation

•    Collaborate with department managers to support capacity planning and develop long-term strategic goals for end-user computing, database infrastructure, Azure, and Microsoft 365 platforms.

•    Remain informed on laws, trends, and emerging technologies related to cloud infrastructure and enterprise IT.

•    Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for new IT infrastructure deployments, server configurations, virtualized environments, and disaster recovery procedures.

Working Conditions, Physical and Mental Demands:

Working Conditions

•    Hybrid work model, with a mandatory three days per week onsite at the Vaughan office.

•    Operates primarily in a comfortable indoor office environment with standard ergonomic accommodations.

•    May encounter frequent deadlines, multiple concurrent demands, and occasional interruptions or distractions.

•    Overtime may be required to meet project milestones or respond to critical incidents.

•    Participates in scheduled rotational shifts within a collaborative team structure to ensure 24/7 global support and project coverage.

Physical Demands

•    Prolonged periods of sitting while working at a computer workstation, often involving extended screen time.

•    Manual dexterity required to operate keyboards, mice, and other computer peripherals.

•    Physically capable of participating in meetings, presentations, and training sessions, both in-person and virtually.

Mental Demands

•    Frequent exposure to high-pressure situations involving simultaneous demands for critical decisions and timely actions.

•    Ability to adapt and perform effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

•    Sustained mental focus required to manage multiple deadlines, maintain accuracy, and handle concurrent tasks.

•    Potential disruption to personal schedules due to rotational shifts and global travel requirements.

Qualifications

Education Required:

- Bachelor’s degree or college diploma in Computer Science, Information Technology or a related field. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

- ITIL v4 Foundation training or certification.

- Relevant certifications, such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate and Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert are considered a strong asset.

- Fluent in English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Work Experience Required:

- Minimum 5+ years of experience in systems administration, with a strong focus on Microsoft cloud technologies.

- Deep expertise in Microsoft 365, Azure, and Active Directory, including hybrid identity and cloud integration.

- Solid understanding of Exchange Online, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint Online administration.

- Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Windows Server operating systems (2016, 2019, 2022).

- Hands-on experience with hybrid cloud environments and enterprise grade security practices.

- Proficient in PowerShell scripting and infrastructure automation.

- Strong working knowledge of patch management and change control processes.

- Familiarity with administrative, management, and auditing tools for enterprise IT environments.

- Technical expertise in Mobile Device Management (MDM) platforms such as Microsoft Intune.

- Experience deploying and managing iOS and Android devices in a corporate setting.

- Working knowledge of DNS, Group Policy Objects (GPOs), DHCP, Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Active Directory Certificate Services (ADCS), and domain trust relationships.

- Experience implementing and supporting high-availability systems, including failover and data replication strategies.

- Prior exposure to server virtualization technologies, especially VMware.

Personal Attributes

- Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues.

- Capable of effectively prioritizing and executing tasks in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.

- Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

- Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and departments.

- Team-oriented mindset with a strong sense of collaboration and accountability.

- Skilled in presenting technical concepts and solutions in clear, business-friendly language.

- Resourceful and proactive in researching software issues and evaluating new technologies.

- Strong customer service orientation with a commitment to delivering high-quality support and solutions.

- Highly self-motivated, organized, and driven to achieve results independently.

Additional Information

Travel within Canada and United States as required for the purpose of meeting with other department managers, clients, stakeholders, or off-site personnel/management.