The posting
If Microsoft Intune, Entra ID, PowerShell, Windows Server and network troubleshooting are comfortably inside your wheelhouse, rather than things you vaguely remember seeing in somebody else's ticket notes, keep reading.
We are looking for an experienced Systems Administrator based in Manila to support our parent company's US operations, working Eastern Time business hours.
This is a senior, hands-on systems role covering infrastructure administration, endpoint management, Microsoft 365, networking, security, automation and technical projects. You'll also act as an escalation point for other technicians, so we're looking for someone who enjoys solving the interesting problems and helping others become better at solving them too.
And because we're not going to bury an important detail somewhere near the bottom, this role works US Eastern Time hours from Manila and participates in an after-hours on-call rotation.
A little about US
We're Australia's #1 MSP (Cloud Tango, 9 years running), with over 500 staff across 4 countries. This role supports our parent company's operations in the US, working closely with their teams to keep internal technology, infrastructure and security running properly.
You'll be part of our Philippines team while working directly with colleagues and stakeholders in the US. It's proper international exposure, not "global role" because someone once invited you to a Teams meeting at an inconvenient hour.
One of our values that fits this role particularly well is Be the Solution. You'll be trusted to investigate problems, make sound technical decisions, take ownership and get things through to resolution.
You'll also find plenty of Never Stop Growing, particularly because part of the job is sharing knowledge and helping technicians develop more advanced skills.
You can learn more about First Focus and our values at https://www.firstfocus.com.au/about-us/.
Requirements
What you'll be doing
You'll help administer and improve the systems, infrastructure and technology used across the US business, while providing advanced technical support and acting as an escalation point for the wider IT team.
Your work will include:
- Providing advanced technical support across systems, servers, networks, endpoints, mobile devices and business applications
- Acting as an escalation point for technicians on more complex technical issues
- Administering Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Active Directory and Microsoft Intune
- Managing endpoint enrolment, configuration, compliance policies and application deployment
- Supporting Windows, macOS and mobile device environments
- Administering Windows Server, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, firewalls, VPNs and network services
- Keeping systems and endpoints current with security patches and software updates
- Supporting vulnerability remediation, endpoint security and patch management
- Using PowerShell and automation to make administration more efficient and repetitive tasks considerably less repetitive
- Installing, configuring and maintaining hardware and software
- Integrating systems and tools across the organisation
- Supporting technology integrations associated with mergers and acquisitions
- Managing user administration, access and the technology side of employee onboarding
- Owning internal IT projects from planning through delivery, including timelines, risks and stakeholder communication
- Supporting compliance activities, audit preparation and technical documentation
- Maintaining SOPs, system inventories, vendor records and knowledge-base articles
- Working with vendors and supporting technology procurement or vetting where required
- Coaching technicians and sharing technical knowledge across the team
It's a broad role, which means there's plenty of variety. It also means "that's somebody else's problem" probably isn't going to become your personal catchphrase.
What we're looking for
We're looking for someone who has already built a strong systems administration foundation and is ready to operate with a good degree of independence.
You'll ideally bring:
- 4+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, systems administration or systems engineering
- Strong hands-on experience with Microsoft Intune, including endpoint management, enrolment, configuration and compliance policies, application deployment and troubleshooting
- Advanced experience with Microsoft 365 and Entra ID, including licensing, access management and user lifecycle administration
- Strong experience supporting Windows and macOS environments, mobile devices and software deployment
- Solid knowledge of Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS and DHCP
- Experience troubleshooting firewalls, VPNs and network connectivity
- Experience with PowerShell and automation
- Hands-on experience with patch management, vulnerability remediation and endpoint security
- Experience leading or owning technical IT projects
- Experience with system integrations, migrations or Microsoft tenant transitions
- Experience supporting technology activities associated with mergers and acquisitions would be particularly useful
- Familiarity with Halo ITSM, Asana or similar service and project management platforms
- Experience with IT audits, compliance, technical documentation and vendor management
- Excellent written and verbal English communication
- Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to document solutions clearly enough that another engineer can actually use them
- Willingness to work US Eastern Time business hours on an ongoing basis
- Willingness to participate in an after-hours on-call rotation
Experience with AI tools or building AI-assisted automation is a welcome bonus. Relevant Microsoft, CompTIA, ITIL or Cisco certifications are also highly regarded.
Benefits
Why First Focus?
We're serious about Never Stop Growing, and we'd rather back that up with actual investment than inspirational posters.
As a full-time Philippines team member, you'll enjoy:
- Hybrid working arrangements
- 10 paid study days per year, with exam fees paid and pay rises for certifications, conditions apply
- Weekly internal training and access to our learning library
- HMO from day one, including one dependent with dental cover
- Free access to Uprise, including 1:1 coaching
- 25 paid leave days annually
- ₱20,000 employee referral program
- ₱10,000 MVP award
- Social events, End-of-FY celebrations and Christmas parties
- Loyalty bonuses*
Our Metro Manila offices are located at:
29th Floor, Robinsons Cyberscape Gamma, Topaz Road, Ortigas, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
26th Floor, Axis Tower One Building, Filinvest Ave, Alabang, Muntinlupa
Sound like your kind of role?
If you're comfortable being the person people call when the straightforward troubleshooting has already been tried, we'd like to hear from you.
This role gives you broad exposure across Microsoft cloud, endpoints, infrastructure, networking, security, automation and technical projects, while supporting a US business from our Manila team.
You don't need to tick every optional box. If you've got strong systems administration experience, know your way around Microsoft Intune and M365, communicate well and are comfortable working US Eastern Time hours, send us your application.
Neurodiversity: First Focus welcomes applications from Neurodiverse candidates. We recommend & appreciate disclosure along with the application so that a copy of our Neurodiversity Statement can be provided outlining the flexible options we can offer to best showcase your skills.
AI in Recruitment: We use AI-assisted recruitment tools to support application review. These tools do not make hiring decisions. All applications are handled by our recruitment team in compliance with the Philippine Data Privacy Act.
