Linux Services Manager

Ntice Search Solutions; Cape Town; Remote; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A managed services organization is seeking a Linux Services Manager to lead a high-performing operations team. This role requires deep expertise in RHEL and Debian systems, strong project management skills, and a passion for automation. Responsibilities include client engagement, project delivery, and team leadership, ensuring optimal service delivery and infrastructure excellence. Ideal candidates will have a background in Linux administration and experience in mentoring technical teams.

Benefits

Market related salary

Performance incentives

Work-from-home flexibility

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of hands-on Linux system administration experience.
• Strong experience with automation frameworks, especially Ansible.
• 2–3 years of leadership or senior-level technical experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of Linux administrators.
• Act as primary technical authority in client meetings.
• Oversee automation initiatives and ensure strong proficiency in Ansible.

Skills

Linux system administration

Team leadership

Automation (Ansible)

Project management

Communication skills

Education

RHCSA / RHCE or equivalent Linux certification

Relevant technical qualification

Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2)

Tools

Zabbix

Nagios

Linux distributions (RHEL, Debian)

Job description

Linux Services Manager

Are you a technically strong Linux professional with leadership ability and a passion for infrastructure excellence?

Our client is seeking a Linux Services Manager to lead a high-performing Linux operations team within a national managed services environment.

In this role, you'll combine hands-on Linux expertise with team leadership, project delivery, and technical ownership of enterprise Linux service offerings.

You will act as the technical authority in client meetings, drive automation and optimisation initiatives, and ensure the delivery of reliable, scalable Linux infrastructure services across multiple client environments.

The position requires an experienced Linux specialist with deep capabilities across RHEL and Debian-based systems, strong automation knowledge, and a proven track record leading technical teams in a fast-paced, service-driven environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Management

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Linux administrators across RHEL and Debian platforms.

Conduct performance reviews, guide skills development, and support certification requirements.

Manage workload distribution and ensure effective resource allocation.

Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on continuous improvement.

Client Engagement & Project Delivery

Act as the primary technical authority in client meetings and architecture discussions.

Lead end-to-end delivery of Linux infrastructure projects, ensuring quality and timelines are met.

Serve as product owner for Linux services, defining requirements and driving delivery excellence.

Present optimisation strategies, automation solutions, and infrastructure roadmaps to clients.

Technical Strategy & Infrastructure Governance

Provide expert guidance on RHEL, Debian systems, and enterprise Linux architectures.

Review and approve infrastructure designs, migrations, and implementation plans.

Stay up to date with emerging Linux technologies and automation trends.

Own technical standards for Linux services and ensure consistency across environments.

Act as the escalation point for complex Linux and automation incidents.

Automation, Monitoring & System Optimisation

Oversee automation initiatives, ensuring strong proficiency in Ansible across the team.

Manage infrastructure migrations between Linux distributions.

Lead deployment, optimisation, and transition of monitoring solutions (Zabbix, Nagios).

Drive performance optimisation, capacity planning, and system reliability initiatives.

Maintain relationships with Linux and automation technology partners.

Service Delivery Excellence

Ensure team performance meets or exceeds Linux SLA and availability targets.

Implement process and automation improvements to enhance operational efficiency.

Oversee documentation standards across all Linux environments.

Coordinate with wider managed services teams to ensure integrated service delivery.

Strategic Planning & Innovation

Contribute to Linux service roadmap development and long-term infrastructure strategy.

Identify opportunities for service expansion and automation enhancement.

Support business development with Linux infrastructure expertise.

Provide input into resource planning and future team scaling.

Minimum Requirements

Technical Expertise

5–7 years of hands‑on Linux system administration experience across RHEL and Debian families.

Strong experience with automation frameworks, especially Ansible.

Practical knowledge of Zabbix, Nagios, and infrastructure observability.

Solid understanding of enterprise Linux architectures, migrations, and optimisation.

Leadership & Management

2–3 years of leadership or senior‑level technical experience.

Strong project management capabilities with proven success delivering complex technical projects.

Excellent communication and client‑facing presentation skills.

Ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast‑paced MSP environment.

Professional Qualifications

RHCSA / RHCE or equivalent Linux certification (essential).

Relevant technical qualification or equivalent practical experience.

Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2) advantageous.

Additional certifications in automation, cloud, or monitoring technologies beneficial.

Business Acumen

Understanding of managed services delivery models and commercial frameworks.

Ability to translate technical concepts into business value for clients.

Strong customer service orientation with a focus on reliability and automation excellence.

Other Requirements

Your own reliable vehicle & driver's license.

Must be to work from home with a reliable internet connection.

Remuneration

Market related salary with company performance incentives

If you're a technically strong Linux leader who thrives on building high-performing teams, driving automation, and delivering infrastructure excellence, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a growing managed services organisation.