At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and optimise IT systems, ensuring security and performance across cloud and on-premise environments.
- Company: Join a trusted, employee-owned organisation in the education services sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, hybrid work, competitive pension, and health perks.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and a supportive, inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by supporting critical IT infrastructure in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with Windows Server, Azure, and strong troubleshooting skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Permanent
Salary: £50,000-£60,000
Location: Cheltenham – Hybrid (2 days per week onsite)
Industry: Education Services
About the Client
Our client is a well-established, employee-owned organisation that provides specialist services to government bodies, educational institutions, professional organisations and employers across the UK and internationally. With a reputation built on trust, quality and expertise, they operate in a highly regulated environment where technology plays a critical role in delivering secure, reliable services.
How you’ll spend your day
As an IT Systems Administrator, you'll play a key role in maintaining, supporting and evolving a business-critical IT estate. Working across both on-premise and cloud environments, you'll ensure systems remain secure, resilient and high performing while supporting colleagues across the organisation. This is a varied contract where you'll combine hands-on technical support with infrastructure management, security and continuous improvement initiatives.
You’ll be responsible for:
- Maintaining, monitoring and optimising server, network and cloud infrastructure across on-premise and Azure environments.
- Providing 2nd/3rd line technical support, troubleshooting hardware, software and infrastructure issues to minimise business disruption.
- Administering Windows Server, Active Directory/Entra ID, Microsoft Azure and virtualised environments.
- Supporting backup, disaster recovery and business continuity processes, ensuring systems remain resilient and recoverable.
- Implementing and maintaining security controls, vulnerability management and compliance with standards including GDPR, ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials+.
- Managing networking technologies including DNS, DHCP, VPNs, firewalls, Wi-Fi and TCP/IP.
- Monitoring system health, performance and capacity, proactively identifying opportunities for optimisation.
- Creating and maintaining technical documentation, system configurations and operational procedures.
- Supporting infrastructure projects, technology upgrades and cloud migration initiatives.
- Working closely with development, operations and wider business teams to deliver reliable and future-proof technology solutions.
- Automating routine administration tasks using PowerShell or similar scripting technologies where appropriate.
- Keeping up to date with emerging technologies and recommending improvements to enhance the IT environment.
What you’ll bring to this role
We're looking for an experienced Systems Administrator with a broad infrastructure background and a passion for delivering reliable, secure IT services. You'll enjoy solving technical challenges, supporting users and continuously improving the technology landscape.
You’ll ideally have:
- Commercial experience administering Windows Server environments and Microsoft infrastructure.
- Strong experience supporting Microsoft Azure cloud services and hybrid environments.
- Good knowledge of Active Directory, Entra ID and Microsoft 365 administration.
- Experience managing virtualisation platforms such as Hyper-V.
- Solid networking knowledge including DNS, DHCP, TCP/IP, VPNs, firewalls and wireless networking.
- Experience supporting SQL Server environments and enterprise backup solutions such as Veeam or Azure Backup.
- Strong understanding of infrastructure security, vulnerability management and industry best practices.
- Experience supporting disaster recovery planning, backup strategies and business continuity.
- Scripting experience using PowerShell, Bash or similar technologies to automate administrative tasks.
- Excellent troubleshooting, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to support both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- A proactive approach with a genuine interest in new technologies and continuous improvement.
Desirable experience:
- Microsoft certifications (MCSE or Azure certifications).
- ITIL Foundation certification.
- Experience working within ISO27001, Cyber Essentials+ or other regulated environments.
- Experience delivering infrastructure or systems implementation projects.
Perks & Benefits:
- Time Off & Flexibility - 25 days annual leave + bank holidays, with up to 5 days carry-over, additional day off for your birthday, 3 extra days off during the winter office closure, Christmas Eve half-day, swappable bank holidays, hybrid working as standard.
- Financial Wellbeing - Competitive pension scheme (5% employer contribution, matched up to 10%), life assurance (4x salary), group income protection (75% of salary for up to 5 years), employee referral scheme.
- Health & Wellbeing - Private BUPA healthcare (optional), BUPA dental scheme (optional), employee assistance programme, mental health first aiders and wellbeing support initiatives, eye care contribution, annual flu vaccination voucher.
- Family Support - Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
- Lifestyle & Perks - Cycle to Work scheme, electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, employee discounts and savings platform, subsidised tickets to local cultural events.
- Learning & Development - Dedicated learning budget for every employee, access to company-wide learning and development programmes.
- Culture & Community - Paid volunteering hours, quarterly team lunch allowance, regular company social events, contribution towards home-working equipment, weekly fresh fruit delivery to the office.
What happens next?
One of our Recruitment Consultants will be in touch and inform you if you’ve been successful to the next stage of the process or not, which is a qualification call where we will tell you more about the role and the client, and understand more about you, your experience and career aspirations. Should we both wish to proceed, we will submit your details to the client and be in touch regarding the outcome and any further steps. The interview process for this client consists of:
- Initial Teams interview followed by a final onsite interview.
Equal Opportunities
We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all candidates and welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. As an employment agency for permanent and contract hires, we are dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from underrepresented groups to drive innovation and equality within the workplace. Should you require any reasonable adjustments please let us know so we can accommodate for any interactions with us at Biometric Talent, but also inform the client to ensure reasonable adjustments are made to allow for a fair and equitable process. Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed.
IT Systems Administrator employer: BIOMETRIC TALENT
Join a well-established, employee-owned organisation in Cheltenham that prioritises trust, quality, and expertise in the education services sector. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, you will enjoy a hybrid working model, generous leave policies, and a dedicated learning budget to support your professional growth. The collaborative work culture fosters innovation and community engagement, making it an excellent place for IT Systems Administrators looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Systems 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 BIOMETRIC TALENT 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 BIOMETRIC TALENT 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 BIOMETRIC TALENT!
✨Direct Apply to BIOMETRIC TALENT
Let's not forget to apply directly through the BIOMETRIC TALENT 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 IT Systems 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 BIOMETRIC TALENT.
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 BIOMETRIC TALENT. 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 BIOMETRIC TALENT
✨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.
