I.T Infrastructure Specialist

I.T Infrastructure Specialist

Final date to receive applications: 10 January 2026

Department: Technology and Development

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Oxford

Reporting To: Tim Taylor

Compensation: £35,000 - £45,000 / year

Join Newsquest Group Infrastructure Services (GIS), the technology backbone of one of the UK’s leading local media publishers, and play a central role in securing, modernising, and optimising the infrastructure that powers our digital and print operations. You’ll help shape how we deliver resilient services at scale, with a strong emphasis on Microsoft Azure cloud computing, Microsoft 365 E5, including E5 Security suite.

In this role, you will design and deliver robust, scalable solutions across Cloud computing, data centre, network, identity, and end‑user platforms. You’ll work hands‑on with MS Azure Cloud Computing services, Microsoft Windows server, Linux systems, MS SQL and MySQL databases, strengthening our security posture, streamlining workflows, and ensuring high availability for teams across the business. You will collaborate with knowledgeable engineers and partners in a fast‑paced environment where technical excellence and continual improvement are valued.

This is a remote‑first role with regular visits to our Oxford office and occasional visits to our London office, data centres, and other UK offices. You will have the opportunity to make a visible impact across a national media organisation while enjoying a competitive salary, paid holiday plus bank holidays, a workplace pension, employee discounts, out‑of‑hours compensation, and flexibility in how you work.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help us deliver secure and reliable services at scale.

• Design, implement, and manage infrastructure services across on‑premises and cloud, with a focus on Azure and Microsoft 365 E5 Security.
• Operate and improve Microsoft Defender solutions (e.g., Defender for Endpoint and Defender for Office 365) to strengthen threat protection.
• Provide system management for IT infrastructure services and deliver within defined service levels.
• Act as escalation support for the Infrastructure Support team, including out of hours on‑call cover.
• Maintain secure identity and device management, including Active Directory, DNS, and DHCP.
• Support, optimise, and troubleshoot Linux platforms and associated services.
• Administer and tune database services, including MySQL, and contribute to broader SQL server management.
• Advise on new products and innovations in cloud, security, networking, and storage.
• Work effectively with external providers to deliver and support services.
• Mentor GIS colleagues in recognised areas of infrastructure and security expertise.
• Provide cover for the Infrastructure Systems Administrator and/or Infrastructure Support Supervisor during absence.

• Strong experience with Microsoft 365 E5 Security (e.g., conditional access, advanced auditing, threat protection) and Microsoft Defender solutions.
• Practical knowledge of Azure services and security controls across hybrid environments.
• Thorough understanding of Microsoft Windows Server and desktop operating systems.
• Good knowledge of Linux administration and troubleshooting.
• Database skills, including MySQL administration, performance, and backup/recovery.
• Networking concepts and technologies, particularly LAN and WAN.
• NAS and SAN storage technologies.
• Experience supporting IT services and working with external support providers.
• Understanding of on‑premises, outsourced, and cloud IT services, and delivering complex multi‑server workflow systems.

• Experience with other operating systems (macOS, additional Linux distributions).
• Ability to manage Extreme Networks and Juniper LAN, WAN, and security systems.
• Experience managing Dell and HP SAN/NAS, Fibre Channel, and iSCSI.
• Competence in Microsoft SQL Server management.
• Knowledge of best practice in IT service delivery and management (e.g., ITIL).
• Understanding of newspaper and digital media publishing systems.

• Fast learner who enjoys researching and solving problems independently, and can…