Senior Windows Systems & Active Directory Administrator

Job Title: Senior Windows Systems & Active Directory Administrator
Location: Columbus, OH
Work Model: Hybrid (Remote Monday & Friday; Onsite Tuesday–Thursday)
Rate: $60–$65/hour
Contract Length: 3-Month Contract-to-Hire
Conversion Salary: $135,000 base + 10% bonus
Employment Type: W-2 Only
Work Authorization: U.S. Citizens Only | No visa sponsorship available

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Windows Systems & Active Directory Administrator to support and lead enterprise infrastructure operations within a large, complex environment. This is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for administering, securing, optimizing, and modernizing Windows Server and Active Directory environments while also providing leadership across a team of 10+ professionals.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in Windows Server administration, Active Directory architecture, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, PKI, patching, vulnerability remediation, and identity-related technologies across large enterprise environments. This individual will serve as a technical lead for infrastructure initiatives, including upgrades, migrations, remediation efforts, and security-driven improvements, while helping ensure operational stability, compliance, and performance across critical systems.

This role is approved for conversion after 90 days and is best suited for a strong technical leader who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves, driving complex infrastructure work, and supporting a highly secure, compliance-driven organization.

Key Responsibilities

Windows Server & Active Directory Administration

• Administer, secure, and maintain enterprise-level Windows Server and Active Directory infrastructure.
• Manage core Active Directory services, including Domain Controllers, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, PKI, replication, authentication services, and directory components.
• Design, implement, and maintain Group Policy Objects to support security, configuration management, and operational consistency.
• Monitor and optimize the performance, availability, and reliability of Windows Server and Active Directory environments.
• Troubleshoot complex system, authentication, replication, and directory-related issues across enterprise infrastructure.

Identity & Cloud-Related Administration

• Support cloud-connected identity technologies including Azure AD / Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft 365, and federation/authentication tools such as PingID.
• Help maintain and support hybrid identity architecture and authentication services across on-premises and cloud-connected environments.
• Ensure identity-related systems are aligned with security standards, access controls, and operational requirements.

Patching, Security & Vulnerability Remediation

• Lead enterprise patch deployment cycles and vulnerability remediation efforts across Windows infrastructure.
• Use tools such as Tanium and Qualys to manage patching, scanning, compliance, and remediation activity.
• Monitor, prioritize, and resolve vulnerabilities in accordance with enterprise security and compliance expectations.
• Partner with security and infrastructure stakeholders to drive risk reduction and strengthen platform resilience.

Infrastructure Projects & Technical Leadership

• Serve as technical lead for critical infrastructure projects, including migrations, upgrades, consolidation efforts, and security remediation initiatives.
• Lead or support infrastructure modernization efforts involving virtualization environments, cloud-connected systems, and identity platforms.
• Provide guidance and technical direction across a team of 10+ professionals.
• Support planning, coordination, and execution of infrastructure improvements in a structured and operationally sound manner.
• Drive best practices for Windows platform management, system hardening, automation, and operational support.

Automation & Performance Optimization

• Develop and maintain automation scripts using PowerShell for patch deployment, vulnerability remediation, system configuration, and operational support.
• Improve efficiency through scripting and automation of repetitive administrative and maintenance tasks.
• Troubleshoot and optimize performance across server environments, backups, updates, virtualization platforms, and directory services.
• Support continuous improvement efforts related to reliability, efficiency, compliance, and supportability.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Administer and support Windows Server and Active Directory infrastructure in a large enterprise environment.
• Troubleshoot server, authentication, replication, Group Policy, DNS, and identity-related issues.
• Lead and support patching and vulnerability remediation cycles using enterprise tools.
• Provide technical oversight and direction across infrastructure activities and project work.
• Coordinate with security, infrastructure, and operations teams on remediation, upgrades, and compliance-related initiatives.
• Write and maintain PowerShell scripts to automate system administration and remediation tasks.
• Monitor system performance, environment health, and operational stability.
• Support infrastructure projects involving migrations, virtualization, and cloud-connected technologies.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience administering Active Directory and Windows Server in large enterprise environments.
• Expert-level knowledge of Windows Server and Active Directory administration, including:
  • Domain Controllers
  • Group Policy
  • DNS
  • DHCP
  • PKI
  • Replication
  • Authentication services
• Strong experience managing enterprise patching and vulnerability remediation using tools such as Tanium.
• Experience with vulnerability management and remediation processes using tools such as Qualys.
• Advanced troubleshooting and performance optimization skills across Windows infrastructure and directory environments.
• Proven experience leading infrastructure upgrades, migrations, remediation projects, and platform improvements.
• Strong PowerShell scripting and automation experience for patching, remediation, and system configuration tasks.
• Experience supporting cloud-related Microsoft technologies such as Azure AD / Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft 365.
• Experience with identity federation tools such as PingID.
• Experience working in security-focused and compliance-driven enterprise environments.
• Strong technical leadership skills and experience guiding or leading a team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading teams of 10+ infrastructure professionals in a technical lead or senior administrator capacity.
• Experience with VMware and other virtualization platforms.
• Experience supporting hybrid cloud infrastructure and identity modernization initiatives.
• Familiarity with enterprise backup, disaster recovery, and resiliency practices.
• Experience in large, regulated enterprise environments preferred.

Core Competencies

• Windows Server Administration
• Active Directory Administration
• Group Policy Management
• DNS / DHCP / PKI
• Identity & Access Technologies
• Azure AD / Microsoft Entra ID
• Microsoft 365
• Vulnerability Remediation
• Tanium / Qualys
• PowerShell Automation
• Infrastructure Migrations
• Technical Leadership

Additional Notes

• This is an approved contract-to-hire position with intent to convert after approximately 90 days, provided minimum required hours are completed.
• Conversion compensation: $135,000 base salary plus 10% bonus.
• Parking is available onsite but is not reimbursable and costs approximately $95/month.
• Submission rates above the posted range will not be accepted.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a senior-level Windows and Active Directory infrastructure professional who combines deep technical expertise with strong leadership capability. They are comfortable working hands-on in complex enterprise environments, leading critical remediation and modernization work, and guiding a team through infrastructure priorities in a secure and compliance-focused organization.