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.