Sr. Specialist IT Infrastructure, Operations & Security

About the Role: The Sr. Specialist IT Infrastructure, Operations & Security based in Abu Dhabi will lead the design, implementation, and management of our enterprise infrastructure and security posture. This role is responsible for ensuring robust, secure, and highly available Microsoft 365 and Azure environments, driving operational excellence, and mitigating risks through proactive monitoring and incident response. Responsibilities: • Design, deploy, and manage Microsoft 365 services, including Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams, and Intune • Implement and maintain Azure infrastructure components such as Virtual Networks, Virtual Machines, Azure Active Directory, and PaaS services • Configure and manage Microsoft security technologies including Defender for Endpoint, Defender for Office 365, Conditional Access, and Azure Security Center • Develop and enforce security policies, procedures, and best practices to safeguard data and ensure compliance with industry standards • Monitor system performance, availability, and security events; perform root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions • Lead incident response activities, including investigation, containment, remediation, and postmortem analysis • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to plan and execute infrastructure upgrades, patches, and configuration changes • Automate routine tasks and deployments using scripting and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior team members; conduct training on infrastructure and security topics • Maintain documentation for architecture diagrams, standard operating procedures, and configuration records Preferred Qualifications: • Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) or Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) • Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CCSP • ITIL Foundation certification or equivalent experience in IT service management • Experience with Infrastructure as Code tools (Terraform, ARM templates) • Prior experience in a UAE or GCC environment and knowledge of regional compliance requirements • Familiarity with cloud-native security frameworks and zero-trust architecture • Arabic language proficiency Position Details • Position Title: Sr. Specialist IT Infrastructure, Operations & Security • Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates • Experience Required: 8+ years Required Qualifications: • 8+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, operations, and security roles • Expert-level proficiency with Microsoft 365 administration and optimization • Strong hands-on experience with Azure IaaS and PaaS services • In-depth knowledge of Microsoft security technologies: Defender suite, Azure Security Center, Conditional Access • Solid understanding of networking concepts: TCP/IP, DNS, VPNs, firewalls, load balancers • Experience with identity and access management, single sign-on, and multi-factor authentication • Familiarity with virtualization platforms (Hyper-V, VMware) and storage solutions • Proficient in PowerShell scripting and automation frameworks • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and incident management skills • Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment Preferred Qualifications: • Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) or Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) • Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CCSP • ITIL Foundation certification or equivalent experience in IT service management • Experience with Infrastructure as Code tools (Terraform, ARM templates) • Prior experience in a UAE or GCC environment and knowledge of regional compliance requirements • Familiarity with cloud-native security frameworks and zero-trust architecture • Advanced degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or related field • Arabic language proficiency