System Administrator
Maintain, optimise and support the technology estate that keeps Ecctis secure, resilient and ready for the future.
LOCATION
Hybrid
CONTRACT
Permanent, Full-Time
TEAM
IT
REPORTS TO
IT Director
About Ecctis:
At Ecctis, our vision is to be the acknowledged global leader in the international qualifications and recognition arena. Our mission is to be the preferred source of expert advice on the recognition and comparability of qualifications and skills internationally, building on our advanced research and our established knowledge and experience of education systems across the world. Ecctis delivers a wide range of services, products, and projects in the field of international education. We help make sense of international qualifications and support a range of clients including individuals, universities, and colleges, awarding bodies and government ministries.
Purpose of role:
The System Administrator is responsible for guiding and maintaining the technological estate of Ecctis, ensuring the optimal performance of systems, and selecting, implementing and supporting the most effective solutions. The role demands a strong understanding of current technology trends, the ability to foresee technological evolution, and the ability to adapt to future requirements. The successful candidate will contribute to achieving the company’s corporate vision by ensuring the technological infrastructure aligns with both current and future business needs.
Key responsibilities:
Information management
- Maintain and optimise the performance of existing systems, ensuring they meet business needs and are scalable for future growth.
- Regularly evaluate systems for potential improvements in efficiency, security and reliability.
- Provide effective and timely IT support to internal teams, external clients and stakeholders.
- Troubleshoot issues proactively and ensure minimal disruption to business operations.
Management support
- Implement and enforce robust security policies to mitigate risks and maintain the confidentiality, integrity and availability of IT systems.
- Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards and best practice, including GDPR, ISO/IEC 27001 and Cyber Essentials+.
- Ensure proactive management of planned and unplanned outages.
- Provide timely updates to the IT Director, Senior Leadership and relevant teams about system disruptions, vulnerabilities or security threats.
Systems development and innovation
- Stay current with emerging technologies and trends in IT infrastructure, cybersecurity and cloud services.
- Recommend and drive technological upgrades and innovations to keep systems future-proof.
- Maintain thorough documentation for systems, procedures and network configurations.
- Regularly review and update disaster recovery plans and system performance reports.
Collaboration and continuous improvement
- Work closely with other departments, including development and operations, to support seamless integration and optimisation of IT solutions.
- Offer expert advice on system improvements and new technology implementations.
- Participate in continuous professional development to maintain expertise in relevant technologies.
Skills required
- Infrastructure management: experience maintaining and optimising server environments, including both on-premises and cloud-based infrastructure.
- Security practices: strong understanding of security protocols, including firewalls, antivirus solutions and vulnerability management.
- Backup and disaster recovery: able to ensure comprehensive backup strategies are in place and regularly tested.
- System performance: proficient in monitoring and enhancing system performance, including network traffic, disk usage and server health.
- Technical support: proficient in providing IT support, troubleshooting hardware and software issues, and escalating issues as needed.
- Cloud technologies: experience with Azure and cloud-based solutions, particularly managing virtual and serverless environments.
- Automation and scripting: knowledge of automation tools and scripting languages, such as PowerShell, to streamline repetitive tasks and improve system management.
Person specification
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong attention to detail, with a meticulous approach to system administration and high-quality delivery.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive mindset to identify and resolve issues before they affect the business.
- Collaborative team player, comfortable working in cross-functional teams and with colleagues at all levels.
- Passionate about technology, with a strong interest in emerging trends in IT, cybersecurity and digital transformation.
Education and qualifications
- Operating systems: Windows Server 2016, 2019 or 2022, Linux distributions and Windows 11.
- Virtualisation: Hyper-V.
- Networking: DNS, DHCP, TCP/IP, VPNs, firewalls and Wi-Fi networks.
- Database management: MS SQL Server.
- Backup solutions: Veeam and Azure Backup.
- Cloud platforms: Azure.
- Other technologies: Active Directory or Entra ID.
Desirable certifications and additional experience
- MCSE, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert, or CompTIA Network+.
- ITIL Foundation Certification for IT service management.
- Certification in cloud technologies, such as Azure Certified Solutions Architect.
- Basic knowledge of scripting languages such as PowerShell or Bash to automate system management tasks.
- Knowledge of best practice for disaster recovery planning and business continuity.
- Experience managing small-to-medium IT projects from inception to delivery.
Values and culture fit
We are looking for a candidate who aligns with Ecctis’ core values and will act as a role model for others within the organisation. The ideal candidate will be motivated by the desire to innovate, collaborate and contribute to the long-term success of the company.
Please note: All applicants must hold a current permit or visa showing their right to work in the UK.
This role profile is intended to give an overall indication of the duties and responsibilities of this role but is not exhaustive and the job holder may be asked to perform other duties, which reasonably align with the general remits of their role and level of responsibility.
Employee ownership trust:
As an Employee Ownership Trust, we do things a little differently from some other organisations. Every one of our employees has a voice and our people are highly motivated and committed. Our structure allows for our combined success as an organisation to be shared equitably across the Company. The trust is indirect, meaning that eligible employees are not shareholders directly, however they are held ‘in-trust’ by the Trust’s Board of Directors.
EDI statement:
Ecctis Ltd is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and connectedness. The core of our work involves working internationally with individuals all over the globe with different backgrounds. In recruiting for our organisation, Ecctis Ltd is an Equal Opportunities Employer, and welcomes the unique contributions you can bring; therefore, we specifically welcome applicants of all backgrounds, regardless of race, including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin, sex or gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, or disability. We recruit purely on merit and skills.
Our Values
People and Culture