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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Global Administrator

💰 $110,000 - $165,000

ITSystems AdministrationCloud InfrastructureCybersecurity

🎯 Role Definition

The Global Administrator is a senior-level IT professional entrusted with the highest level of administrative access and control over an organization's entire IT infrastructure and cloud services. This pivotal role serves as the ultimate authority for managing, securing, and maintaining the digital backbone of the company, with a primary focus on platforms like Microsoft 365, Azure Active Directory (Entra ID), and other critical global systems. The Global Administrator is responsible for strategic oversight of identity and access management, security policy implementation, system health monitoring, and ensuring the stability, integrity, and efficiency of the global technology environment. They act as the final escalation point for complex technical issues and play a key role in shaping the organization's IT strategy and security posture.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • System Administrator
  • Senior Helpdesk Analyst / Tier 3 Support Specialist
  • Network Administrator

Advancement To:

  • IT Infrastructure Manager
  • Cloud Solutions Architect
  • Director of Information Security or IT Operations

Lateral Moves:

  • Senior Cybersecurity Analyst
  • Cloud Engineer (Specializing in Azure/AWS)
  • DevOps Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Architect, implement, and maintain the global Microsoft 365 and Azure Active Directory (Entra ID) environment, ensuring its configuration aligns with business requirements and security best practices.
  • Oversee the entire lifecycle of identity and access management (IAM), including the provisioning, modification, and de-provisioning of user accounts, groups, and privileged access roles across all global systems.
  • Develop, enforce, and regularly audit security policies, including conditional access, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and identity protection to safeguard organizational data and mitigate threats.
  • Act as the top-tier escalation point for complex technical issues related to the M365 suite, Azure services, and other core infrastructure components, providing expert-level troubleshooting and resolution.
  • Manage and maintain endpoint security and compliance using tools like Microsoft Intune, deploying configuration profiles, compliance policies, and application packages to a global fleet of devices.
  • Lead the planning, testing, and execution of disaster recovery and business continuity plans for critical cloud services, ensuring data integrity and minimal downtime during service disruptions.
  • Automate routine administrative tasks and system management workflows using PowerShell, scripting, and other automation tools to improve efficiency and reduce the potential for human error.
  • Conduct regular security audits, vulnerability assessments, and health checks of the global IT infrastructure, proactively identifying and remediating potential security gaps and performance bottlenecks.
  • Administer and secure the full Microsoft 365 ecosystem, including Exchange Online (mail flow rules, transport rules, eDiscovery), SharePoint Online (site collections, permissions), and Microsoft Teams (policies, governance).
  • Manage and monitor hybrid identity solutions, ensuring seamless synchronization between on-premises Active Directory and Azure AD using tools like Azure AD Connect Sync.
  • Evaluate, recommend, and implement new cloud technologies and features that can enhance security, productivity, and operational efficiency across the organization.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including system architecture diagrams, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and change management records.
  • Collaborate with the cybersecurity team to respond to security incidents, investigate alerts from security tools (like Microsoft Sentinel), and implement corrective actions to contain and eradicate threats.
  • Govern the use of third-party applications and their integration into the M365/Azure environment, assessing security risks and managing API permissions and consent grants.
  • Lead and manage major IT projects, such as tenant-to-tenant migrations, implementation of new security frameworks, or large-scale platform upgrades, from planning through to completion.
  • Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior members of the IT team, fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the department.

Secondary Functions

  • Manage software licensing and subscriptions for cloud services, ensuring compliance and optimizing costs through effective license allocation and usage monitoring.
  • Interface with technology vendors for support escalations, product roadmaps, and procurement, ensuring the organization receives maximum value from its technology investments.
  • Support internal and external audit processes by providing evidence of compliance with security policies, regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, SOX), and industry standards.
  • Generate and analyze reports on system health, user activity, security events, and service usage to provide insights and recommendations to IT leadership.
  • Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand their requirements and translate them into technical solutions within the global IT framework, ensuring technology serves business goals.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Microsoft 365 & Azure AD Expertise: Expert-level proficiency in administering Microsoft 365 and Azure Active Directory (Entra ID), including identity protection, conditional access, and privileged identity management (PIM).
  • PowerShell Scripting: Strong scripting and automation skills, particularly with PowerShell, for managing M365, Azure, and Windows Server resources at scale.
  • Enterprise Messaging: In-depth knowledge of enterprise messaging systems, specifically Exchange Online, including mail flow, security (anti-phishing, anti-spam), and compliance features.
  • Endpoint Management: Comprehensive understanding of modern endpoint management solutions like Microsoft Intune for device configuration, application deployment, and compliance.
  • Network Fundamentals: Solid grasp of networking concepts, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs, and firewalls, especially in a cloud and hybrid context.
  • Cybersecurity Principles: Experience with cybersecurity principles and tools, including SIEM (e.g., Microsoft Sentinel), threat intelligence, and incident response protocols.
  • Hybrid Infrastructure: Knowledge of on-premises infrastructure, including Windows Server, Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), and virtualization platforms (Hyper-V/VMware).
  • Data Governance: Familiarity with data governance, eDiscovery, and retention policies within frameworks like Microsoft Purview.
  • Change Management: Proven ability to manage technical changes, updates, and rollouts in a large-scale environment with minimal disruption.
  • Cloud Security: Deep understanding of cloud security best practices across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS models.

Soft Skills

  • Analytical Problem-Solving: Exceptional diagnostic and analytical skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex, interconnected systems under pressure.
  • Strategic Communication: Strong ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical peers and non-technical business leaders.
  • Strategic Thinking: A forward-thinking mindset with the ability to contribute to long-term IT architecture, security posture, and scalability planning.
  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: A commitment to producing high-quality, accurate work, especially when executing high-impact changes to critical systems.
  • Project & Time Management: Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, complex projects, and tight deadlines simultaneously.
  • Integrity and Discretion: Unquestionable personal integrity and professional ethics, given the privileged level of access and responsibility inherent in the role.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of professional experience and certifications.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree.
  • Relevant certifications such as Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert (MS-102), Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate (SC-300), or Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Computer Science
  • Information Technology / Information Systems
  • Cybersecurity

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 7-10 years of progressive experience in IT systems administration, with at least 3-5 years focused on managing enterprise-level cloud environments.

Preferred: Demonstrated experience serving as the lead administrator for a global Microsoft 365/Azure tenant in an organization with over 1,000 users.

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