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.