IT Infrastructure Specialist

Premier League; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports organization in the UK is seeking an experienced IT Infrastructure Specialist to manage enterprise server hardware, administer operating systems, and oversee storage systems. The ideal candidate should have expertise in both Windows and Linux environments, as well as hands-on experience with virtualisation platforms like Hyper-V. You'll collaborate with team members to ensure infrastructure efficiency, participate in cross-training, and provide second and third-level operational support. This role offers a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance.

Benefits

Hybrid working model

Inclusive workplace culture

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in IT infrastructure or systems administration.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise server hardware.
• Strong expertise in Windows and Linux server operating systems.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot server hardware.
• Administer Windows and Linux server operating systems.
• Manage NAS and SAN storage systems for optimal performance.

Skills

Server Hardware Management

Operating System Administration

Storage Systems Management

Virtualisation & Hypervisors

Cloud & Hybrid Integration

Networking & Security Awareness

Collaboration & Cross-Training

Problem-Solving

Communication Skills

Basic Scripting Knowledge

Education

Relevant IT Certifications (e.g., CompTIA Server+)

Tools

Windows Server

Linux

Hyper-V

Azure/AWS

Job description

We are seeking an IT Infrastructure Specialist to join our Infrastructure Specialists department. The preferred candidate will be the subject matter expert for our physical and virtual server environments, server hardware, and storage systems. This role requires a broad skill set to ensure robust, high-performance infrastructure, with experience supporting specialised file-based workflows common in media or high-data-volume environments.

• Server Hardware Management: Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot enterprise-level server hardware (e.g., rack-mount and blade servers), managing vendor support cases and coordinating hardware lifecycles.
• Operating System Administration: Administer and maintain Windows and/or Linux server operating systems, ensuring system health, performance, security patching, and compliance with best practices.
• Storage Systems Management: Manage network-attached storage (NAS) and storage area network (SAN) systems, overseeing capacity planning, performance tuning, data integrity, and backup operations.
• Virtualisation & Hypervisors: Manage and maintain virtualised environments using hypervisor technologies, including virtual machine deployment and resource optimisation, with experience in running workloads on Azure Local solutions or similar Microsoft virtualisation platforms (Hyper‑V).
• Cloud & Hybrid Integration: Assist with the integration and management of cloud services (Azure/AWS), ensuring seamless connectivity and synchronisation with on‑premise infrastructure.
• File-Based Workflows Support: Provide infrastructure support for specialised, high-volume file-based workflows, ensuring high-speed data transfer and reliable storage access for critical business functions.
• Networking & Security Awareness: Collaborate with networking and security specialists, understanding foundational network principles and security best practices to troubleshoot cross‑functional issues and implement security controls effectively.
• Collaboration & Cross-Training: Actively participate in the Infrastructure Specialists team, sharing expertise and engaging in cross‑training initiatives to ensure specialist skills are widely understood and team resilience is built.
• Documentation & Operational Support: Maintain detailed technical documentation for all systems and configurations. Provide expert-level (2nd/3rd line) support, participating in an on-call rotation as required by operational needs. Experience in an IT infrastructure, systems administration, or related technical role.
• Demonstrable experience with server hardware maintenance and storage system administration.
• Strong expertise in Windows Server and/or Linux operating systems.
• Hands‑on experience with virtualisation platforms, specifically Hyper‑V and concepts related to Azure Local solutions or Azure Stack HCI.
• Strong experience managing enterprise storage solutions (SAN/NAS).
• Foundational knowledge of IP networking principles (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP).
• Familiarity with security concepts and tools in an infrastructure context.
• Exceptional problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills; a genuine team player.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex technical challenges effectively.
• Relevant certifications such as CompTIA Server+, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, or Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA - legacy).
• Experience with file-based workflows in a media, broadcast, or high-data-volume industry.
• Basic scripting knowledge (PowerShell, Python, Bash) for task automation.

The Premier League is an equal opportunities employer and strives to create an inclusive culture where talent can flourish. We believe in the potential of everyone and open our doors to those who share those values. All appointments will be based on merit; however, we particularly encourage applications from women, people from minority ethnic communities, LGBTQ+ people and disabled people. Our hybrid-working model allows you some variety in your place of work, offering you the chance to work from home on some days each week, where possible. You will be expected to attend the office or site visits in line with our company policy. All staff liaise closely with their line manager to manage their time appropriately and according to their work and team requirements.