Active Directory SME in Wokingham

6 Month contract initially + Extensions

Based: Onsite in Wokingham

Rate - £400 - £500 pay p/d via Umbrella

We have a great opportunity with a world leading organisation where you will be provided with all of the support and development to succeed. A progressive organisation where you can really make a difference. We are seeking a skilled Windows, Active Directory, and Virtualization Engineer with strong experience across Microsoft, Azure, and VMware/Hyper‑V platforms. The ideal candidate will be responsible for administering Windows servers, managing identity services, maintaining virtualization infrastructure, and ensuring the stability, security, and performance of enterprise systems. This role requires strong troubleshooting capabilities, hands‑on operational expertise, and effective collaboration with vendors and cross‑functional teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot operating system-related issues such as unexpected restarts, server slowness, and performance bottlenecks.
• Perform user and access management tasks.
• Handle server commissioning and decommissioning processes.
• Perform Windows Vulnerability Mitigation and Patch Management.
• Conduct backup and restoration operations using approved tools and protocols.
• Ensure high availability and operational stability of Windows Server environments.

Active Directory & Azure Entra Management

• Manage Active Directory including user, group, and OU administration.
• Maintain and configure Group Policies (GPOs) to ensure compliance and system consistency.
• Perform DNS record creation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Manage DHCP scopes, reservations, and configurations.
• Administer FTP services on Windows platforms.
• Handle SSL certificate issuance, renewal, and lifecycle management.
• Manage Azure services, including deploying resources such as Logic Apps and related components.

Virtualization (VMware / Hyper‑V) Administration

• Maintain and monitor overall VMware infrastructure health.
• Perform VM creation, configuration enhancements, and resource optimization.
• Manage snapshots, load distribution, and day‑to‑day VM troubleshooting.
• Conduct environment health checks and performance assessments.
• Set up and manage HA‑DRS clusters, ensuring system resilience and failover readiness.
• Manage vNetworking, data stores, and storage allocation.
• Install, configure, and onboard new ESXi/ESX hosts into the environment.
• Coordinate with VMware or Hyper‑V vendors to resolve issues and plan upgrades.

Vendor Coordination

• Act as the primary liaison for Microsoft, VMware, and other infrastructure vendors.
• Coordinate troubleshooting, escalations, and support requests.
• Ensure timely resolution of issues and communication with internal stakeholders.

Key Skills and Experience

• Experienced infrastructure engineer with deep knowledge of Windows Server Administration, Active Directory, Azure Entra, DNS/DHCP, and virtualization technologies such as VMware or Hyper‑V.
• Capable of managing complex server environments, addressing OS‑level issues, handling identity and access operations, and maintaining a healthy virtualization ecosystem.
• Strong understanding of patching, vulnerability remediation, backup/restore operations, and SSL certificate management.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills, attention to detail, and the ability to coordinate with multiple vendors.
• Ideally an experienced Major Incident Manager with 8+ years managing critical IT incidents, restoring services quickly and safely, and coordinating with technical teams and stakeholders in a UK-based Utility company.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Active Directory Administration
• Azure Entra ID
• VMware or Hyper‑V
• Windows Server Management
• DNS, DHCP
• FTP (Windows)
• Understanding of server infrastructure, networking fundamentals, and enterprise security best practices.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background or identity, and we encourage candidates who may not meet every listed requirement to still apply. If you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure a fair and accessible experience.