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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide technical support and ensure system performance in a dynamic IT environment.
- Company: Join a leading global tech organisation focused on national security.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical infrastructure while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Strong Windows Server experience and excellent communication skills required.
- Other info: Work in an inclusive culture that prioritises wellbeing and professional excellence.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Senior IT Systems Administrator
Location: Gloucestershire, UK (Hybrid working)
Employment Type: Full-time, Mid-Senior level
About the Opportunity
Sanderson is collaborating with a leading global technology organisation that delivers mission-critical services in secure environments for government and national security clients. The team is expanding and seeking a skilled Senior IT Systems Administrator to join a high-performance environment supporting critical infrastructure operations.
In this role, you’ll work across multiple teams to ensure stability, performance, and compliance across enterprise systems — maintaining secure IT environments and helping drive continual service improvement through innovation and best practice.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide 1st and 2nd line technical support across complex IT environments
- Monitor system performance to ensure uptime, reliability, and efficiency
- Develop, maintain, and update system documentation
- Implement and enforce operational standards, policies, and procedures
- Support compliance initiatives and internal process improvements
Essential Skills & Experience
- Strong background in Windows Server Administration (2016/2019)
- Experience working to ITIL best practices
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Analytical mindset with a proactive approach to identifying risks and improvements
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a willingness to share and learn
Desirable Technologies & Experience
- Installation, upgrade, configuration, and support experience with Windows Server, AWS, and Azure
- Strong understanding of Active Directory (object creation, OU management, RBAC, DFS)
- Knowledge of virtualisation technologies: VMware, vSphere, vSAN, SCVMM, Hyper‑V
- Familiarity with containerisation tools and technologies
- Networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, LAN/WAN
- Scripting experience in PowerShell
- Awareness of McAfee EPO/ENS security tools
Security Clearance Requirements
Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be eligible for national security clearance. To meet this requirement, applicants must:
- Be sole British citizens (dual nationality is not permitted)
- Have not spent more than 30 consecutive days outside the UK in the past 10 years
- Have no criminal record
- Have no significant financial irregularities (e.g. bankruptcy, unpaid debt)
Unfortunately, candidates who do not meet these criteria cannot be considered for this position.
Why You’ll Enjoy Working Here
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
- Hybrid working model balancing flexibility and collaboration
- Career growth opportunities through continuous learning and development
- Work on high-impact, nationally significant projects
- Inclusive, people-first culture focused on wellbeing and professional excellence
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IT System Administrator employer: Sanderson Government & Defence
Contact Detail:
Sanderson Government & Defence Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IT System Administrator
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can lead to insider info and even referrals that could get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to IT System Administration. We recommend setting up mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, scripts, or any relevant work. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can do and sets you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace IT System Administrator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the IT System Administrator role. Highlight your experience with Windows Server Administration and any relevant technologies like AWS or Azure. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, don’t just list your skills—show us how you've used them! Give examples of how you've improved system performance or supported compliance initiatives. This helps us see your analytical mindset in action.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the good stuff!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to track your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson Government & Defence
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Windows Server Administration skills, especially versions 2016 and 2019. Be ready to discuss your experience with AWS, Azure, and virtualisation technologies like VMware and Hyper-V. The more you can demonstrate your technical knowledge, the better!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled complex IT issues in the past. Think about times when you provided 1st and 2nd line support or improved system performance. Highlight your analytical mindset and proactive approach to identifying risks and improvements.
✨Familiarise Yourself with ITIL Practices
Since the role involves working to ITIL best practices, it’s crucial to understand these principles. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented operational standards and supported compliance initiatives in previous roles. This shows you're aligned with their operational goals.
✨Communicate and Collaborate
Strong communication and collaboration skills are key for this position. Prepare to talk about how you've worked with different teams in the past and share your willingness to learn from others. A good team player is always a plus in high-performance environments!