Microsoft Team Lead (P7) (ICS Division: Infrastructure & Operations) at University of Johannesburg

Responsibilities:

• This technical position will be reporting to the Director of Infrastructure & Operations within the ICS Department. The incumbent will lead a team of IT professionals within the Infrastructure & Operations unit. Focus will be given to Microsoft applications and server infrastructure to ensure a supportive and enabling environment.

Upon joining the Department, you will:

• Technical Leadership
• Fulfil technical and administrative duties within the department.
• Provide effective delivery capabilities to ensure successful deployment, maintenance, and support of the Microsoft environment, including on-premises and cloud solutions.
• Plan, manage, and coordinate operational activities to ensure continuous availability of Microsoft systems and applications.
• Contribute positively to the advancement of the university’s IT strategy.
• Ensure effective and efficient technical skill and knowledge application.
• Coach and mentor team members on adopted technology best practices.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to the team on Microsoft technologies and solutions.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues and provide solutions to ensure smooth operations.
• Stay updated with the latest Microsoft technologies and industry trends to keep the team’s skills and knowledge current.
• Operational Management
• Operational excellence - Continuously improving processes and outcomes within the technical team by identifying gaps and implementing effective changes.
• Ensure the IT infrastructure is secure, reliable, and efficient.
• Develop, update, and enforce IT policies and procedures to ensure compliance and security.
• Support implementing and maintaining IT systems, software, and hardware.
• Liaise with vendors regarding incident resolution, infrastructure maintenance, and support contractual obligations.
• Manage the testing and deployment of new Microsoft systems and environments.
• Document and manage Microsoft infrastructure architecture and the lifecycle of Microsoft products.
• Develop, document, and mature operational processes.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of IT processes, systems, and projects.
• Prepare and present regular reports on, but not limited to, access reviews, system changes, project status, and IT operations.
• Ensure all documentation complies with organizational standards and requirements.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

• Make informed decisions that benefit the team and organization, considering short-term and long-term impacts.
• Foster a problem-solving mindset within the team, encouraging innovative solutions and ideas.

Project Coordination

• Negotiate contracts and agreements with vendors and suppliers to secure favourable terms and conditions.
• Plan, initiate, and manage IT projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
• Coordinate with other departments to understand their needs and ensure IT projects align with business goals.
• Monitor project progress and make necessary adjustments to meet deadlines and objectives.
• Governance: Ensuring adherence to project guidelines, optimizing resource allocation, and maintaining transparency in decisionmaking processes.

 Financial Management

• Contribute to preparing the annual infrastructure and operations budget aligned with the business strategy.
• Draft and evaluate tender documentation to procure the most suitable Microsoft solutions, including licensing, per business requirements.
• Implement and support ICT vendor management, reporting all incidents to relevant parties.

 Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Consult and advise departments organization-wide regarding their server and application requirements.
• Ensure cross-collaboration with all levels within the organization to provide support.
•  Be situated at the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus but not excluded from supporting all campuses.

Minimum requirements

• Degree or relevant qualification (NQF 7) with 3 to 5 years' of job-related experience.
• Industry Standard Certification: Relevant Microsoft Certifications.
• Technical middle management: 2 to 3 years of experience in a technical middle management role.
• Proficiency in technical aspects of Active Directory and Entra ID.
• Proficiency in virtualization infrastructure

 Competencies and Behavioral Attributes:

•  Demonstrated strong leadership abilities.
• Commitment to delivering high-quality support and services.
• Strong analytical and deep technical skills and knowledge.
• Capable of producing fast paced but well-considered results.
• Ability to develop new ideas and improve existing ones.
• Maintain high standards and produce high-quality work.
• Structured, organized, and efficient work expected from self and others.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Self-starter, motivated, organized, and detail oriented.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Good communication skills

 Recommendations:

•  Technical Skills:
• Proficiency in technical aspects of Active Directory and Entra ID.
• Technical expertise in Azure infrastructure.
• Strong skills in Windows Operating Systems.
• Solid understanding of Intune and MS Office 365, including integration and security.
• Proficiency in cloud computing and virtualization technologies (Azure, Hyper-V, VMware).
• Proficiency in writing, modifying, reading, and understanding PowerShell scripts.
• Strong understanding of networking protocols and security
• Familiarity with Microsoft SQL
• Security:
• Demonstrated skills in implementing security hardening techniques for Windows environments.
• Experience in patch management and vulnerability management.
• Experience with Microsoft System Centre Suite: Over four years of experience with:
• Virtual Machine Manager
• Operations Manager
• Configuration Manager
• Identity Management: Strong understanding of identity management practices.
• Project Management: Experience in managing projects effectively.
• Vendor Management: 2 to 3 years of experience in managing vendor relationships

Deadline: 23rd August, 2024.