Azure Platform Admin

**Role: Azure Platform Admin**

**Location: Toronto
- Hybrid**

**Hire Type: Contract**

Job Title: Azure Platform Admin
- Seeking a highly motivated and experienced Azure Platform Administrator to join a dynamic IT team.
- Responsible for the implementation, management, and maintenance of Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure.
- Collaborate with IT teams including development, security, and networking to deliver robust and scalable cloud solutions.

**Responsibilities**:

- **Azure Infrastructure Management**:
Provisioning, configuring, and maintaining Azure resources such as Virtual Machines, Storage Accounts, Virtual Networks, Azure Active Directory, and other platform services.
- **Platform Monitoring and Optimization**:
Implementing and managing monitoring solutions to track health, performance, and availability of Azure services. Identifying and implementing optimizations for cost efficiency and performance improvements.
- **Security and Compliance**:
Implementing and enforcing security policies and best practices within the Azure environment. Managing identity and access controls, ensuring compliance with relevant industry standards and regulations.
- **Automation and Scripting**:
Developing and maintaining automation scripts using tools like PowerShell, Azure CLI, or Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) tools (e.g., ARM templates, Terraform, Bicep) to streamline operations and deployments.
- **Backup and Recovery**:
Implementing and managing backup and disaster recovery solutions to ensure business continuity.
- **Network Configuration**:
Configuring and troubleshooting Azure networking components, including virtual networks, subnets, network security groups, VPNs, and load balancers.
- **Incident Management**:
Responding to and resolving incidents related to the Azure platform, performing root cause analysis, and implementing preventative measures.
- **Capacity Planning**:
Monitoring resource utilization and planning for future capacity needs.
- **Collaboration and Communication**:
Working effectively with cross-functional teams to understand requirements and provide technical guidance on Azure services. Maintaining clear and concise documentation of Azure environments and procedures.
- **Staying Current**:
Keeping up-to-date with the latest Azure services, features, and best practices. Evaluating and recommending new technologies to improve the Azure platform.

Required Technical Skill Sets:

- **Deep Understanding of Azure Services**:
Comprehensive knowledge of core Azure services, including:

- **Compute**: Virtual Machines, App Services, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Functions.
- **Storage**: Blob Storage, Azure Files, Disk Storage, Azure Data Lake Storage.
- **Networking**: Virtual Networks, Subnets, Network Security Groups (NSGs), Azure Firewall, Azure DNS, Load Balancer, Application Gateway, VPN Gateway, ExpressRoute.
- **Identity and Access Management**: Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Conditional Access, Managed Identities.
- **Data Services**: Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Database for PostgreSQL/MySQL.
- **Monitoring and Logging**: Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Azure Alerts, Azure Service Health.
- **Automation and Infrastructure as Code (IaC)**: Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates, PowerShell, Azure CLI, and experience with at least one IaC tool such as Terraform or Bicep.
- **Security**: Azure Security Center/Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Azure Key Vault, Azure Policy.
- **Backup and Recovery**: Azure Backup, Azure Site Recovery.
- **Scripting and Automation**: Proficiency in scripting languages such as PowerShell and Azure CLI for automating tasks and managing Azure resources.
- **Networking Fundamentals**: Solid understanding of networking concepts, including TCP/IP, DNS, routing, firewalls, and VPNs.
- **Security Best Practices**: Knowledge of cloud security principles and best practices, including identity management, network security, data encryption, and compliance.
- **Troubleshooting Skills**: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to diagnose and resolve issues within the Azure environment.
- **Understanding of Cloud Architectures**: Familiarity with different cloud deployment models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) and architectural best practices for building scalable and resilient cloud solutions.
- **Experience with Hybrid Environments (preferred)**: Knowledge of integrating on-premises infrastructure with Azure using technologies like VPN Gateway or ExpressRoute.
- **Knowledge of DevOps Practices (Beneficial)**: Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and tools like Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions.
- **Relevant Certifications (Beneficial)**: Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) or other relevant Azure certifications.

Soft Skills:

- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong organizational and