Systems Administrator Lead (MED-Central IT)

Northwestern University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 112,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The System Administrator Lead at Northwestern University’s Feinberg IT Infrastructure team leads a three-person systems administration group, guiding design, implementation, and support of platforms and services across on-premises and cloud environments.

You will mentor staff, drive automation using Bash, Python, PowerShell, and tools like Ansible, Puppet, Foreman, and Zabbix, and partners with security, development, and research computing teams to ensure scalable, secure infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 6 years of system administration or related experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a three-person Platform Services team focusing on Linux, cloud, and automation.
• Collaborate with security, development, and research computing teams to deliver reliable services.
• Drive automation, standardization, monitoring, and operational improvements.

Skills

critical thinking

problem solving

troubleshooting

leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science / information technology or related

Tools

GitHub

Ansible

Puppet

Chef

Docker

AWS

Azure

Apache

PostgreSQL

MySQL

Linux

Windows

Active Directory

Terraform

Job description

Department:

MED-Central IT

Salary/Grade:

ITS/82

Job Summary:

The System Administrator Lead serves as the manager and technical leader of the Platform Services team within Feinberg IT's Infrastructure team. Reporting to the Director of Infrastructure, this hands‑on leadership position is responsible for supervising, mentoring, and developing a team of three systems administrators while participating in the design, implementation, support, and improvement of the platforms and services managed by the team.

The position provides technical leadership for infrastructure, application hosting, and research computing services deployed primarily on Linux platforms, with some support for Windows‑based application hosting environments, both on‑premises and in the cloud. Responsibilities include driving automation, standardization, monitoring, and operational improvements while helping ensure the reliability, security, and scalability of critical services. The successful candidate will possess experience with systems administration, scripting and automation technologies such as Bash, Python, and PowerShell, configuration management and monitoring tools including Ansible, Puppet, Foreman, and Zabbix, source control platforms such as GitHub, and cloud technologies including AWS and Microsoft Azure.

The System Administrator Lead collaborates closely with infrastructure, information security, application development, and research computing teams to deliver reliable and maintainable technology solutions. Exposure to deployment automation, CI/CD practices, Docker, and Active Directory‑integrated environments is desirable. Experience supporting web and application hosting platforms utilizing technologies such as Apache, PostgreSQL, and MySQL is beneficial. The successful candidate will demonstrate a willingness to learn new technologies and help the team continue improving its automation and operational capabilities. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with effective leadership skills, experience leading technical projects and mentoring technical staff, and a commitment to developing employees, improving operational processes, and delivering high‑quality technology services to the Feinberg School of Medicine community.

Leads teams completing projects involving infrastructure, which includes instructing, directing, and checking the work of other team members. Oversees the design of the work and partners with users to develop specifications. Conducts quality assurance review of the project and evaluates and documents team procedures. Oversees the installation, maintenance, configuration, and integrity of University infrastructure. Implements enhancements that will improve the infrastructure's reliability and performance.

This specific role will be one of the three infrastructure leads for the Feinberg IT team. This position will focus on Linux, cloud and automation related infrastructure with occasional support of Windows infrastructure

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Recommends purchases and capital equipment.
• Partners with new and existing clients to ensure that systems meet client needs.
• Advises client management on direction of systems, operations, staff allocation, budgets, and scalability.

Development

• Manages and coordinate IT initiatives and projects across organization units.
• Works closely with Architecture, Development and Security group on IT operations.

Performance

• Oversees system enhancements that will improve the reliability and performance of the system.
• Ensures design reviews are completed for all new infrastructure and improvements to existing systems.

Supervises

• Provides work direction and/or supervises staff such as team members, subordinates, contractors, vendors, students, etc.
• Coaches and mentors staff.
• Manages projects ensuring timelines and deliverables are met and meet expectations.
• Organizes and performs technical training within or outside the team.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as computer science, information technology, or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 6 years system administration or other relevant experience required.

Infrastructure

• active directory design, administration
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Apache
• information security
• LDAP
• Linux Operating System
• Mac OS X Operating System
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Outlook)
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Puppet/Chef/Ansible
• Server hardware
• SQL/MySQL/Postgres
• Storage hardware
• Windows Operating System
• Azure

Programming Languages and Frameworks

• Microsoft PowerShell
• Python
• Shell Scripting

Compliance

• FERPA
• HIPAA

Analytical

• critical thinking
• Debugging
• decision making
• judgment
• problem solving
• Troubleshooting
• use‑case analysis

Project

• collaboration and teamwork
• functional documentation
• organizational skills

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Experience in customer service / customer support environment
• Experience in an academic medical center
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, organizational skills, management of own time, and respect for the time of others
• Excellent planning and scheduling skills
• Demonstrated ability to effectively control and participate in multiple projects of varying priorities in a consistently professional manner
• Ability to establish and maintain respectful and effective relationships with management, co‑workers and customers

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 2+ years of management experience.

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre‑tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

Target hiring range

Target hiring range for this position will be between $111,800 to $160,280 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.