Senior Systems Administrator (Server Management, Cloud & Cyber Security)

at  Bangor University

Located in North Wales only a stone’s throw from the Snowdonia National Park, Bangor University is a long-established university with an international reputation for the quality of its teaching and research. A rare opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Systems Administrator to work within the Infrastructure Team of the Digital Services directorate.
Candidates will have substantial experience of working as a Senior Systems Administrator. Candidates will be a problem solver by nature with a broad set of skills gained from providing real-world system engineering support. Duties will include developing, supporting, and maintaining a secure, stable, and resilient server infrastructure for the University including Linux and Windows servers. This role will also have a strong focus on Cloud, Cyber security and related technology.
Candidates should be educated to postgraduate degree level in a STEM related area or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of professional learning and development and have significant experience leading, developing and managing on-prem and cloud IT infrastructure in an enterprise environment at scale.
The role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.
Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis.
The post is permanent and full-time and benefits from being eligible to the nationally supported USS pension scheme and various other employee benefit schemes (including Cycle to Work, Nursery, Purchase of Additional Leave etc).
For an informal discussion or any enquiries in relation to the role please contact Matthew Edwardson-Williams, Server and Storage Manager (matthew.williams@bangor.ac.uk )
Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 382646.
Committed To Equal Opportunities.
Overview
The role of Senior Systems Administrator is responsible for researching, developing, and maintaining the IT infrastructure for Bangor University, both on-prem and in the cloud. It’s a senior role within the infrastructure group and forms part of a multi-disciplined team who are responsible for the data network, storage, backup, cloud, and server infrastructure. Importantly, there will be a need to keep cyber security in the forefront of activity, to keep the service safe, accessible, and secure.
Purpose of the Job
The system administrator role - within the infrastructure team, who are responsible for over 300 Microsoft and Linux servers including VMs, physical and cloud – is critical to the operational needs of the university. For consistency, reliance, and security it’s vital the service is managed in the most efficient way possible by using automation, scripting, and orchestration. The role will work with other subject experts both internally and externally to develop and enhance the service, the most notable area being making more use of cloud services whilst keeping security in the forefront of their activity.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Developing, supporting, and maintaining a secure, stable, and resilient server infrastructure for the University.
Collaborate closely with the InTune and Endpoint team to integrate Microsoft infrastructure across the University.
Establish and maintain strong partnerships with other cyber security subject leads within the department assisting with cyber security activities such as vulnerability scanning and remediation, security system configuration and cyber security tools.
Assist with the management of the core Microsoft Windows server infrastructure, including Active Directory Services, GPO (Group Policy Objects), Certificate Authority
Assist with the management of the Linux server infrastructure.
Lead and provide expertise in harnessing cloud methods for application hosting including the use of:-
Software containers (e.g. Docker)
Application Hosting Services (e.g. App Service, Elastic Beanstalk)
Serverless Services (e.g. Lambda functions)
Cloud storage
Virtual Private Cloud network connectivity
Cloud infrastructure security
Provide expert advice to the department for:
Microsoft Windows Servers and Endpoints.
The Entra and Microsoft 365 environment.
Azure / Amazon cloud services.
Security monitoring technology.
Work with University staff, external suppliers, professional groups, networks, and other Universities to grow and develop the infrastructure environment at Bangor.
To be active in security forums, especially cloud focused, to advise the department of current threats and mitigation methods, and to implement the most appropriate security solutions for Bangor University.
Develop new and innovative services to enhance offerings and gain best value from agreements and contracts.
Implement technical solutions and upgrades in accordance with project deadlines.
When required, mentor and train others to expand the department’s Microsoft expertise.
Respond to second- and third-line helpdesk tickets as appropriate.
Occasionally there will be a need to work out of hours on scheduled projects and respond to occasional service interruptions or security needs.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
Educated to postgraduate degree level in a STEM related area or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of professional learning and development.
Desirable
Evidence of professional development in Microsoft technologies, Cloud technologies and/or Linux technologies.
Other professional development in Digital Technology.
Membership of a Professional body.
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
Significant experience leading, developing and managing on-prem and cloud IT infrastructure in an enterprise environment at scale.
Experience of Microsoft Windows Server from version 2016 to 2022 in an enterprise environment, which includes administration and troubleshooting.
Experience of managing Linux servers in an enterprise environment utilising enterprise distributions such as RedHat or Oracle.
Proactive experience in avoiding security vulnerabilities, together with reactive experience to zero-day vulnerabilities.
Experience with cyber security tools including anti-Virus, vulnerability detection, and others.
Comprehensive, firsthand experience securing the Microsoft Windows environments and be able to evaluate, implement, install, and maintain security on the Microsoft infrastructure.
Comprehensive experience and understanding of both infrastructure, platform and software as a service offerings from both Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure or another enterprise cloud provider.
Desirable
Hands-on NAS and SAN experience.
Knowledge of information security, data protection, compliance, related legislation, and regulations.
Experienced Azure, Entra, and Microsoft 365 system administrator.
Experience with cyber security monitoring tools such as SEIM solutions.
Experience working in a higher education environment.
Experience deploying software into cloud hosting with Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure or other enterprise cloud provider.
Skills/Abilities
Essential
Administration of Microsoft Windows Technologies.
Microsoft cloud administration with Azure, Microsoft 365.
Network familiarity with TCP/IP, DHCP and DNS systems and associated technology.
Installation and configuration of complex server software products and the ability to collaborate with external suppliers on these products as required.
Familiar with scripting or programming languages, e.g., PowerShell, Python, bash.
Diagnose, fault find and resolve complex Microsoft issues collaborating with colleagues or with external suppliers as needed.
Demonstrable ability to think around issues and look at the wider picture to provide solutions through a variety of problem-solving techniques.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent organisational skills.
Ability to multi task, manage own time effectively.
Experience of working effectively within a team and collaborating with others to achieve a goal.
Drive, self-motivation, and ability to work under own initiative.
Ability to delegate tasks to others.
Desirable
SAAS solution integration.
VMWare vSphere administration.
Administration of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, WSUS and Certificate Authority.
Linux Operating Systems administration with Ansible (RedHat / Oracle distributions).
JAMF and/or CommVault administration.
Proficiency in Infrastructure as Code resource administration method.
The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable for this role.
General
The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.
We are a member of Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University’s policies, practices, and culture.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.
All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.
We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas. If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.
Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University’s Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration

Please refer the Job description for details