At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and secure ICT systems, ensuring smooth operations across the organisation.
- Company: Join Acorns Children's Hospice, a leading provider of palliative care for children.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, discounts, health plans, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with a focus on children's rights.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your tech career.
- Qualifications: Experience in ICT service desk and systems administration required.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 46000 £ per year.
Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust is seeking a Senior ICT Systems & Network Administrator to ensure the delivery of a stable, secure, and resilient IT service across the organisation. You'll be responsible for the effective operation of both on-premises and cloud-based systems, supporting the organisation’s wider ICT strategy and digital transformation initiatives. You will play a key role in infrastructure management and operational support, while also providing technical guidance to the Tier 1 & 2 ICT Service Desk team.
Responsibilities include client, server, and network administration, alongside the technical delivery of projects that enhance and evolve the organisation’s digital capabilities.
As Senior ICT Systems & Network Administrator, you will:
- Deliver routine systems and network administration at infrastructure-level, maintaining key ICT services and infrastructure across the organisation.
- Assist in the safeguarding of ICT services from security threats via pro-active management of updates and patches to key systems and network infrastructure.
- Monitor critical ICT services and infrastructure, both cloud and on-premises, highlighting security and performance issues, taking actions as directed.
- Actively contribute towards Acorns digital strategy, implementing, and supporting projects in accordance with defined processes.
- Provide advice and guidance to the Tier 1 Service Desk team & Tier 2 Systems Administrator in respect to their personal and professional development.
About You
- Recent experience of supporting and working with an ICT service desk environment in a 3rd line role.
- Demonstrable experience in systems administration in relation to:
- Group Policy Management
- Azure Active Directory (Entra ID)
- Network Switch Management
- Microsoft InTune Packaging & Deployment
- Infrastructure management & monitoring
- Experience of leading on technical projects.
- Experience working with Palo Alto / Strata Cloud Manager.
- High level knowledge and understanding of LANs, WANs, VPNs and common networking configuration and components.
What We Offer
- £46,000 per annum
- 37.5 hours per week
- Based in Birmingham with travel to sites across the West Midlands
- Employee discounts from leading retailers – including the Blue Light Card
- Discounts on refurbished tech
- Health cash plan
- Gym membership and equipment discount scheme
- Bike2Work scheme - save up to 42% on bikes and equipment
- Wellbeing, legal and financial support
- Career development through our Acorns Academy offering leadership, coaching, fundraising, clinical training and more.
- Generous contribution to group personal pension plan (7.5%) or continuation of current NHS pension scheme
- NHS pension scheme life assurance or Acorns group life assurance scheme
- Annual leave entitlement increases with length of service
You need to be eligible to work in the UK to be considered for this role. We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and therefore any successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check and will be asked to provide two satisfactory references. As a UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting organisation we are committed to ensuring that the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child is embedded into both culture and practice within the organisation. As an employee you will be a Duty Bearer for Children’s Rights and support all children to be Rights Holders.
Senior ICT Systems & Network Administrator employer: Acorns-Children
Acorns Children's Hospice is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and compassionate work environment dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and their families. With a strong focus on employee development through the Acorns Academy, generous benefits including a competitive salary, health cash plan, and pension contributions, as well as a commitment to wellbeing, Acorns fosters a culture of growth and collaboration. Located in Birmingham, this role not only provides the opportunity to enhance your ICT skills but also to contribute to meaningful projects that directly impact the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior ICT Systems & Network Administrator
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Acorns-Children values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Acorns-Children might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Acorns-Children!
✨Direct Apply to Acorns-Children
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Acorns-Children website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior ICT Systems & Network Administrator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Acorns-Children.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Acorns-Children. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Acorns-Children
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
