Microsoft Generalist

Datacentrix; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 223,000 - 446,000; Full time

Job summary

Datacentrix in Centurion seeks a Microsoft Generalist on a 6 months fixed term contract to manage, stabilise, and migrate a mixed Microsoft/Linux environment. The role covers Windows Server, Active Directory, Microsoft 365, Azure, VMware, and SQL Server within a hybrid on-prem/cloud setup.

The ideal candidate is hands-on, able to work independently in an unstable environment, identify root causes, and implement practical solutions across multiple platforms.

Qualifications

• Matric plus a diploma or degree in IT, CS, IS, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in IT infrastructure administration, systems administration, or technical support.
• Hands-on experience with Windows Server and Active Directory administration.
• Experience administering Microsoft 365 and supporting Azure services.
• Experience managing VMware virtualisation environments.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server administration and troubleshooting.
• Practical Linux administration experience.
• Experience supporting hybrid on-premises and cloud environments.
• Proven experience troubleshooting complex infrastructure problems in unstable or legacy environments.
• Exposure to infrastructure migrations, preferably to Microsoft Azure.

Responsibilities

• Assess the current IT infrastructure to identify system weaknesses, recurring incidents, performance bottlenecks, and potential risks.
• Stabilise an unreliable IT environment by investigating and resolving critical infrastructure issues.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement preventative measures to minimise recurring incidents.
• Monitor system performance, availability, capacity, and resource utilisation.
• Maintain system documentation, configuration records, operational procedures, and disaster recovery plans.
• Implement infrastructure improvements aligned with business continuity and operational requirements.
• Ensure systems are patched, updated, secured, and maintained in accordance with best practices.

Skills

Windows Server

Active Directory

VMware

Microsoft 365

Azure

SQL Server

Linux

Hybrid IT

Education

Matric + diploma or degree in IT/CS/IS

5+ years IT infrastructure experience

Tools

VMware vSphere

ESXi

Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Azure

Job description

Our client based in Centurion is looking for a Microsoft Generalist on a 6 months fixed term contract who will be responsible for managing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and stabilising an existing IT infrastructure environment comprising Microsoft technologies, virtualisation, databases, cloud services, and Linux systems. The successful candidate must be comfortable working in an environment that is currently unstable, with the ability to identify root causes of recurring technical issues, implement corrective measures, improve system availability, and ensure business continuity.
In addition to stabilising the current environment, the individual will play a key role in planning and executing the migration from the existing on-premises infrastructure to a secure, scalable, and reliable cloud-based environment, primarily leveraging Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365.
The ideal candidate must be a hands-on technical generalist who can work independently, manage competing priorities, and provide practical solutions across multiple technology platforms.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Matric plus diploma or degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in IT infrastructure administration, systems administration, or technical support.
• Demonstrable hands-on experience in Microsoft Windows Server and Active Directory administration.
• Practical experience administering Microsoft 365 and supporting Azure services.
• Experience managing VMware virtualisation environments.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server administration and troubleshooting.
• Practical Linux administration experience.
• Experience supporting hybrid IT environments consisting of on-premises infrastructure and cloud services.
• Proven experience troubleshooting complex infrastructure problems in unstable or legacy environments.
• Exposure to infrastructure migrations, preferably to Microsoft Azure.

Technical Skills and Competencies

The candidate must demonstrate practical working knowledge of the following technologies:

• Microsoft Infrastructure: Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS and DHCP.
• Database: Microsoft SQL Server administration, performance troubleshooting, backup and recovery.
• Virtualisation: VMware vSphere, ESXi and virtual machine management.
• Productivity and Collaboration: Microsoft 365, Exchange Online, SharePoint, OneDrive and Teams.
• Cloud: Microsoft Azure, Azure virtual machines, networking, storage, identity, backup and monitoring.
• Identity and Security: Microsoft Entra ID, MFA, access management and security policies.
• Operating Systems: Windows Server and Linux.
• Monitoring and Troubleshooting: System logs, performance monitoring, incident investigation and root cause analysis.
• Migration: Infrastructure assessment, hybrid connectivity, workload migration, testing and post-migration support.
• Documentation: Technical reporting, system documentation, change records and operational procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Infrastructure Management and Stabilisation

• Assess the current IT infrastructure to identify system weaknesses, recurring incidents, performance bottlenecks, and potential risks.
• Stabilise an unreliable IT environment by investigating and resolving critical infrastructure issues.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement preventative measures to minimise recurring incidents.
• Monitor system performance, availability, capacity, and resource utilisation.
• Maintain system documentation, configuration records, operational procedures, and disaster recovery plans.
• Implement infrastructure improvements aligned with business continuity and operational requirements.
• Ensure systems are patched, updated, secured, and maintained in accordance with best practices.

Microsoft Active Directory and Windows Server

• Administer and maintain Microsoft Active Directory, including users, groups, organisational units, Group Policy, permissions, and authentication.
• Manage Windows Server environments, including configuration, patching, troubleshooting, and performance optimisation.
• Troubleshoot domain controller, DNS, DHCP, replication, authentication, and access-related issues.
• Manage user access, security policies, and privileged accounts.
• Support the integration of on-premises Active Directory with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory).

Microsoft 365 / Office 365

• Administer Microsoft 365 services, including Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive, and Microsoft Teams.
• Manage user accounts, licences, mailboxes, permissions, and service configurations.
• Troubleshoot email delivery, collaboration, authentication, and Microsoft 365 connectivity issues.
• Implement and maintain security controls, multi-factor authentication, and access policies.
• Support the transition from on-premises services to Microsoft 365 cloud services.

Microsoft Azure and Cloud Migration

• Assess the existing infrastructure and determine its readiness for cloud migration.
• Assist in developing a practical migration roadmap from on-premises infrastructure to Microsoft Azure.
• Configure and manage Azure virtual machines, virtual networks, storage, backup, monitoring, and identity services.
• Support hybrid infrastructure environments during the transition from on-premises systems to the cloud.
• Identify suitable workloads for migration, modernisation, or replacement.
• Plan and execute migration activities with minimal business disruption.
• Implement cloud security, access controls, monitoring, cost management, backup, and disaster recovery measures.
• Validate migrated workloads and ensure performance, availability, and security after migration.

VMware and Virtualisation

• Administer and troubleshoot VMware vSphere and ESXi environments.
• Manage virtual machines, resource allocation, snapshots, virtual networking, and storage.
• Investigate virtualisation-related performance issues and system failures.
• Monitor host and virtual machine capacity and availability.
• Support the assessment and migration of VMware workloads to Microsoft Azure where appropriate.

SQL Server and Database Support

• Perform basic to intermediate Microsoft SQL Server administration and troubleshooting.
• Monitor database performance, connectivity, storage, and resource utilisation.
• Support database backup, restoration, maintenance, and recovery activities.
• Investigate SQL-related application and infrastructure incidents.
• Work with application and database specialists to resolve complex issues and prepare databases for cloud migration where required.

Linux Administration

• Administer and troubleshoot Linux servers in a mixed operating system environment.
• Perform routine system maintenance, patching, monitoring, and log analysis.
• Manage users, permissions, services, storage, and network configurations.
• Support Linux-based applications and services hosted on virtualised or cloud infrastructure.
• Assist with the migration of suitable Linux workloads to Azure.

Security, Backup and Business Continuity

• Implement and maintain infrastructure security controls and access management policies.
• Monitor system logs, security alerts, vulnerabilities, and potential infrastructure risks.
• Ensure backup processes are operational and regularly tested.
• Support disaster recovery planning, testing, and execution.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and ensure adherence to IT governance and operational standards.

Incident Management and Stakeholder Engagement

• Respond to infrastructure incidents and service requests within agreed service levels.
• Prioritise critical issues that affect business operations and system availability.
• Communicate technical issues, risks, resolutions, and migration progress to relevant stakeholders.
• Engage vendors and specialist technical teams when required.
• Provide recommendations for infrastructure improvement, optimisation, and future-state architecture.