At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and enhance hybrid identity services in a fast-paced, high-security environment.
- Company: Join a leading tech firm focused on innovative identity solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, potential for remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career advancement opportunities and a focus on continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on security and identity management while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in Active Directory and Azure, strong troubleshooting skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Job Specification
LOCATION: Client Site (Aldermaston) – Onsite 5 days per week (occasional WFH possible)
SECURITY CLEARANCE: DV or willing to undergo DV vetting
Role Overview
The Active Directory Specialist plays a pivotal role in supporting, maintaining, and enhancing a complex hybrid identity services environment that spans both On‑Prem Active Directory and Entra (Azure Active Directory). Operating within a high‑security, fast‑paced public‑sector setting, the role requires delivering expert 2nd/3rd line technical support while also contributing to long‑term service transformation, infrastructure modernisation, and operational automation initiatives.
You will work at the centre of enterprise identity and access management, ensuring stability, security, and performance across critical directory services including AD DS, Group Policy, ADFS, AD Connect, PKI, and a broad range of supporting technologies. This includes managing domain controllers, maintaining DNS/DHCP integrity, overseeing Group Policy design and deployment (including AGPM), and supporting authentication and federation services across tightly controlled environments.
The role is highly technical and demands rigorous troubleshooting skills, deep protocol‑level understanding, and the ability to diagnose complex issues across interconnected systems and multi‑layered identity architectures. In addition to BAU service delivery, the Active Directory Specialist contributes significantly to project work, including design and installation of new systems, obsolescence remediation, configuration enhancements, and security‑driven platform improvements.
You will collaborate closely with architects, service leads, and project managers to define, document, and implement scalable solutions using industry best practices, Microsoft security models, and modern automation approaches. The role supports both Agile and ITIL Continuous Service Improvement principles, ensuring that new workflows, processes, and service models are structured, resilient, and aligned to evolving business and security requirements.
A major element of the role is maintaining a strong customer‑focused mindset. You will be expected to work directly with customer representatives, internal DXC teams, and senior IT leadership to communicate technical challenges, propose solutions, and build trust‑driven relationships. This demands excellent communication skills, documentation capabilities, and the confidence to work independently without direct supervision.
You will use enterprise knowledge tools, share expertise within the engineering community, and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and improvement. The position requires adaptability, initiative, and a willingness to innovate—identifying opportunities to automate, optimise, and modernise identity services to ensure long‑term platform stability and compliance.
The Active Directory Specialist must also be committed to maintaining the highest security standards, particularly within environments requiring DV‑level clearance, where meticulous attention to detail and adherence to strict operational controls are fundamental.
Overall, this is a strategically significant role that blends deep technical expertise with collaborative delivery, solution design, and continuous improvement—ensuring the organisation’s hybrid identity ecosystem remains secure, modern, and highly available.
Key Responsibilities
- Administer and maintain hybrid identity infrastructures across on prem Active Directory and Azure Active Directory (Entra ID), ensuring secure, reliable authentication and directory services.
- Troubleshoot and optimise identity platforms including AD, ADFS, Azure AD Connect/Sync, Entra ID, and LDAP, resolving complex federation, synchronisation, and authentication issues.
- Lead Group Policy lifecycle management, including design, implementation, and controlled deployment using AGPM to ensure consistent and secure configuration baselines.
- Manage core AD infrastructure components such as Domain Controllers, FSMO roles, DNS, DHCP, Sites confident working directly with senior customer stakeholders.
- Familiarity with ServiceNow (Incidents, Requests, Change, Reporting).
Desirable Skills
- Azure DevOps, IaC (ARM/Bicep), CI/CD pipelines; exposure to containers/Kubernetes.
- Azure Virtual Desktop (WVD/AVD) (Nerdio beneficial), Azure Monitoring and Log Analytics.
- Broader systems knowledge: SCCM, WSUS, SCOM, AGPM, Lumensions.
- Understanding of the Microsoft Tiered Administration Model and enterprise segmentation.
Active Directory & Azure Specialist employer: Limelight Health
As an Active Directory & Azure Specialist at our Aldermaston site, you will join a dynamic and supportive team dedicated to maintaining high-security identity services in a fast-paced public-sector environment. We prioritise employee growth through continuous learning opportunities and foster a collaborative work culture that values innovation and customer focus. With the potential for occasional remote work and a commitment to modernisation and operational excellence, we offer a rewarding career path for those looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Active Directory & Azure Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network, network, network! Get out there and connect with professionals in the Active Directory and Azure space. Attend meetups, webinars, or even local tech events. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects related to Active Directory and Azure. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply blindly! Tailor your approach for each role. Research the company and mention specific projects or values that resonate with you in your conversations. It shows genuine interest and can make a big difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Let’s get you that Active Directory & Azure Specialist role!
We think you need these skills to ace Active Directory & Azure Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Active Directory & Azure Specialist role. Highlight your relevant experience with Active Directory, Azure AD, and any specific technologies mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your customer-focused mindset and your ability to work independently, as these are key for us.
Show Off Your Technical Skills:In your application, be sure to showcase your technical expertise, especially around troubleshooting and managing identity services. We love candidates who can demonstrate their problem-solving skills and deep understanding of protocols, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Limelight Health
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Active Directory and Azure services. Be ready to discuss specific technologies like AD DS, ADFS, and Group Policy. Prepare to explain how you've tackled complex issues in the past, as this role demands a deep understanding of these systems.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to walk through your troubleshooting process for identity platforms. Think of examples where you resolved federation or synchronisation issues. Highlight your analytical skills and how you approach diagnosing problems in multi-layered identity architectures.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Since this role involves working closely with customer representatives and senior IT leadership, practice articulating technical challenges and solutions clearly. Use examples from your experience to demonstrate your ability to build trust and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Discuss your commitment to innovation and automation in identity services. Share any experiences where you've contributed to service transformation or operational automation initiatives. This will show that you're not just about maintaining systems but also about enhancing them for the future.