System Administrator - Managed Hosting

Company Description

Merkle is a leading data-driven, technology-enabled, global performance marketing agency that specializes in the delivery of unique, personalized customer experiences across platforms and devices. For more than 30 years, Fortune 1000 companies and leading nonprofit organizations have partnered with Merkle to maximize the value of their customer portfolios. 

The agency's heritage in data, technology, and analytics forms the foundation for its unmatched skills in understanding consumer insights that drive people-based marketing strategies. Its combined strengths in performance media, customer experience, customer relationship management, loyalty, and enterprise marketing technology drive improved marketing results and competitive advantage. 

With 5,500 employees, Merkle is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, with 24 additional offices in the US and 25 offices in Europe and APAC. In 2016, the agency joined the Dentsu Aegis Network, now known as dentsu International.

Job Description

The Systems Administrator, Managed Hosting role within Merkle provides Tier 2 support for infrastructure within the Merkle Managed Hosting environment. The Systems Administrator will provide escalation support for incidents and service requests while addressing them. You will work in a team setting, sharing information, collaborating, and assisting other team members. You will engage with broad Corporate IT challenges and initiatives.The Systems Administrator reports to the Manager, IMS Operations. You will work with a team of geographically distributed Merkle staff and contract employees.

• Implement, configure, and maintain Windows and Linux Operating Server Systems
• Implement, configure, and maintain multiple Cloud-based and Data Center services
• Configure and maintain, Active Directory Domain Services and supporting Active Directory roles
• Deploy and maintain Cloud-based IaaS Virtual Machines and Application and Networking Services to support growth into the cloud.
• Configure and maintain Enterprise class storage sub-systems like block-based SAN and file-based NAS
• Configure and maintain Enterprise backup solutions
• Troubleshoot and technical support of enterprise-class systems, concerning ITIL/ITSM processes while maintaining compliance with all company policies, procedures, and standards
• Provide incident and service request support for assigned Information Technology platforms
• Plan, coordinate, and execute change management activities
• Ensure that all solutions are aligned with IT standards
• Ensure that controls designed to ensure security and availability of the Merkle information technology environment are followed
• Identify areas in need of improvement and develop a solution that addresses those needs
• Manage multiple incidents and service requests while adapting to changing business conditions
• Document standard operating procedures for repeatable tasks
• Provide input to automation efforts
• Be an escalation point for incidents and service requests not resolved in the Tier 1 organization
• Provide on-call and after-hours support when required

Qualifications

• Requires 2+ years of experience supporting and implementing enterprise-class solutions operating in a 24/7 environment.
• Understanding of enterprise infrastructure concepts and standard operating procedures.
• General knowledge of Windows and Linux Server Operating Systems
• General knowledge of Active Directory (DNS, DHCP, GPO, Sites and Services, Certificates, Groups, OU's, etc)
• General knowledge of Enterprise storage systems, (SAN, NAS, Object)
• General knowledge of File transfers protocols
• Familiarity with Enterprise backup solutions
• Some knowledge of Clustering technologies (Windows Failover Cluster, Network Load balancer, elastic load balancers, etc)
• Experience with supporting Server builds
• Experience with core Cloud Computing services - Networking, Databases, Software, and Servers.
• Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code, automated cloud deployment, CLI, and supporting technologies
• Familiarity with understanding configuration management solutions (Ansible, Terraform, etc.)
• Enterprise productization processes, including developing product guides, asset management, data protection, capacity management, performance management, and lifecycle management

Preferred: 

• Familiarity with Scripting languages, such as Python, Powershell, etc preferred
• Cloud Certification from (GCP, AWS, or Azure) preferred
• Devops experience is preferred

Additional Information

The anticipated salary range for this position is $68,000 - $106,000. Salary is based on a wide range of factors that include relevant experience, knowledge, skills,