IT System Administrator

About ZURU: 

ZURU is on a mission to disrupt across industries, challenge the status quo, and catalyze change through radical innovation and automation advances. This is in play in different pillars of the company: ZURU Toys is reimagining what it means to play; ZURU Tech is shaping a better future by leading the next building revolution; and ZURU Edge is pioneering new-generation FMCG brands to better serve modern consumers.   

Founded in 2003 by EY Entrepreneur of the Year and World Entrepreneur Hall of Fame brothers Nick and Mat Mowbray, ZURU has quickly grown to a team of over 5000 direct and indirect members across more than 30 international locations. 

Role Summary: 

We are seeking a highly skilled IT Infrastructure Specialist to manage our IT infrastructure and operations in Milan and in Europe. The ideal candidate will be able to have a horizontal approach with a strong background in cybersecurity, extensive experience with the Microsoft ecosystem, and a passion for leveraging generative AI to drive innovation but still able and willing to have his/her hands dirty on first-level support. This role is pivotal in ensuring the security, efficiency, and scalability of our IT systems to support our global operations. 

Responsibilities:

• 1st level support when needed for ZURU Tech and ZURU Group Europe employees
• Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of the organization's IT infrastructure, including networks (LAN, WAN, wireless networks, network security), servers, storage, and security systems across a multi-site global network. 
• Develop and implement IT strategies, policies, and procedures to ensure the organization's infrastructure meets current and future needs. 
• Evaluate new technologies and recommend upgrades or replacements to enhance the organization's infrastructure. 
• Write scripts to automate system processes 

• Ensure the security and integrity of the organization's data and information systems, including firewalls, VPNs, intrusion detection systems, and endpoint protection. 
• Develop and enforce robust security policies and procedures. 
• Lead initiatives to identify, mitigate, and manage cybersecurity risks. 
• Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments. 
• Create a red and a blue team for pen-testing andthreat mitigation 

• Leverage our devops and Software Development teams in India and Italy to deploy servers offering tools at scale 
• Together with our Machine Learning team in Modena, Italy, drive the adoption of Generative AI solutions that enhance the productivity across all departments. 
• Collaborate with departments to identify AI use cases and implement AI-driven solutions to improve business processes. 
• Write simple Python/Go/Rust/Javascript tools to offer services and tools 

• Monitor system performance and implement improvements to optimize efficiency and reliability. 
• Oversee network operations, monitor performance, and troubleshoot network issues to ensure optimal uptime and performance. 

• Oversee disaster recovery and business continuity planning for the organization's IT infrastructure. 

• Manage vendor relationships and negotiate contracts for network services and equipment. 

• Manage and lead the configurations and maintenance across Microsoft 365, Office 365, and Active Directory services. 
• Plan, implement, and manage upgrades, patches, and migrations for both Office 365 and Active Directory. 
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to Microsoft 365, Office 365, and Active Directory services, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations. 
• Oversee and lead the deskside support team, providing guidance and ensuring timely and effective resolution of technical issues for end-users. 
• Develop and implement streamlined processes and procedures to enhance deskside support services and improve user satisfaction. 
• Collaborate with global IT teams to ensure consistency in configurations, policies, and support practices across all regions, promoting unified standards and best practices. 

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CCSP, OWASP, MCSE) are a plus. 
• Proven experience in network management and administration, with a strong understanding of network protocols, technologies, and best practices. 
• Proven experience in managing Linux servers 
• Extensive experience with Unix CLI and Windows Powershell 
• Extensive experience with scripting to automate system tasks with at least one of Bash/Python/Go/Rust/JavaScript 
• Extensive experience with the Microsoft ecosystem (Teams, Azure, OneDrive, SharePoint). 
• Deep understanding of cybersecurity principles and practices, including firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems. 
• Proven experience in managing IT projects, including system upgrades and new implementations. 
• Strong background in disaster recovery and business continuity planning. 
• Experience with real-time distributed data synchronization and big data management (50+ TB of data) 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. 
• Strong English communication skills. 

• Ability to travel as needed. 
• Strong leadership skills and a proactive, results-oriented mindset. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities. 

If you are a visionary IT leader with a strong background in cybersecurity and a passion for leveraging cutting-edge technologies to drive business success, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity at ZURU.