IT Operations Lead

Your mission

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on IT Operations Lead to join our civil & structural consulting engineering firm Dublin City Centre.

Supporting an organisation of approximately 60 employees, the successful candidate will work closely with our IT Manager and will be involved across the full breadth of the firm's technology environment, including end-user support, hardware, infrastructure, Microsoft 365, software applications, networking, security, asset management and IT projects.

This is a practical technical position. The successful candidate will be expected to personally investigate, troubleshoot and resolve IT issues rather than simply coordinate third-party providers.

Over time, the role is expected to develop into broader responsibility for the firm's IT function, providing a potential succession path to the IT Manager position.

Key responsibilities will include:

Hands-on IT Support and Troubleshooting

• Act as a senior point of contact for day-to-day IT issues across the firm.
• Personally diagnose and resolve hardware, software, network, access and application problems.
• Provide hands-on support to employees at all levels of the organisation.
• Troubleshoot laptops, desktops, monitors, printers, mobile devices and associated peripherals.
• Investigate connectivity, Wi-Fi, networking and performance issues.
• Resolve Microsoft 365,Windows and application-related problems.
• Take ownership of technical issues through to resolution, escalating to external specialists only where appropriate.
• Provide timely support in situations where restoration of service is business-critical.

Microsoft 365 and Systems Administration

• Administer and support the firm's Microsoft 365 environment.
• Manage user accounts, groups, permissions and access.
• Support Microsoft Entra ID, Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint and related services.
• Administer endpoint management and security platforms, including Active Directory/Intune where applicable.
• Manage software deployment, updates and configuration.
• Assist with identity, access and authentication policies including MFA and Conditional Access.

Hardware and Asset Management

• Take responsibility for the lifecycle of IT hardware and associated assets.
• Maintain an accurate IT asset register.
• Configure and deploy laptops, desktops, mobile devices and peripherals.
• Coordinate equipment purchasing, replacement and disposal.
• Manage hardware warranties and supplier support arrangements.
• Ensure appropriate stock levels of replacement and spare equipment.
• Support new joiner, mover, and leaver processes.

Infrastructure and Networking

• Support and maintain the firm's network and infrastructure environment.
• Troubleshoot switches, wireless access points, internet connectivity, firewalls and related equipment.
• Monitor infrastructure health and investigate faults.
• Support server and cloud-based infrastructure where applicable.
• Work with external specialists on more complex infrastructure issues and projects.
• Assist with infrastructure upgrades and technology refresh programmes.

Applications and Software

• Support the firm's core business and professional-services applications.
• Manage application installations, upgrades, licensing and user access.
• Troubleshoot software issues and liaise with vendors where required.
• Maintain an understanding of the firm's key business systems and their dependencies.
• Assist with the evaluation and implementation of new technology.

Cybersecurity, Backup and Business Continuity

• Support the implementation and ongoing operation of the firm's cybersecurity controls.
• Monitor endpoint protection, patching and security alerts.
• Assist with vulnerability remediation and security improvements.
• Monitor backup systems and investigate backup failures.
• Participate in backup restoration and disaster recovery testing.
• Support incident response where required.
• Assist with cybersecurity awareness initiatives and IT security policies.
• Maintain appropriate technical documentation supporting business continuity and disaster recovery.

IT Suppliers and External Support

• Work closely with the firm's retained external IT support provider.
• Determine when issues should be resolved internally and when specialist escalation is appropriate.
• Coordinate technical work undertaken by external providers.
• Liaise directly with hardware, software, telecoms and technology suppliers.
• Assist with licence renewals, contracts and supplier reviews.

Projects and Continuous Improvement

• Lead or participate in IT infrastructure, systems and end-user technology projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve reliability, security and user experience.
• Maintain clear technical and operational documentation.
• Contribute to the development of IT standards, procedures and policies.
• Assist the IT Manager with technology planning, budgeting and procurement.
• Gradually assume increased responsibility for suppliers, projects, risk and IT operations as experience within the firm develops.

Your profile

The successful person will be someone whose first instinct when presented with a technical problem is to investigate and solve it.

They should be equally comfortable diagnosing a network issue, configuring a laptop, resolving an M365 access problem, deploying software, reviewing a backup failure or working with an external specialist on a more complex infrastructure issue.

This role will suit someone who enjoys being a broad technical generalist and wants to remain hands-on while progressively developing greater responsibility for IT operations and management.

The position is not intended for someone seeking to move away from technical work into a primarily administrative, project-management or people-management role.

The successful candidate should have:

• A minimum of 5 years' relevant professional IT experience.
• Ideally 7–10 years' experience across IT support, systems administration, infrastructure or IT operations.
• Significant experience personally troubleshooting and resolving technical issues.
• Experience supporting a Microsoft-based business environment.
• Experience working with Microsoft 365 and associated administration platforms.
• Strong Windows desktop and laptop support experience.
• Good networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, Wi-Fi and general network troubleshooting.
• Experience with endpoint management, security and patching.
• Experience managing hardware and IT assets throughout their lifecycle.
• Experience working with backup systems and recovery procedures.
• Experience dealing directly with third-party technology providers and software vendors.

Previous experience in a professional services organisation, such as engineering, a construction firm or similar office-based organisation would be advantageous but is not essential.

Qualifications Skills and Attributes:

• A relevant third-level IT qualification (or demonstrable equivalent experience and training).
• Microsoft, CompTIA, ITIL or cybersecurity certifications would be advantageous but are not mandatory.
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic ability.
• Clear and professional communication skills.
• Strong organisational and documentation skills.
• Ability to prioritise competing issues in a busy professional environment

Why us?

At CS Consulting, we recognise that our people are our greatest asset. We are committed to creating an environment where our employees can develop their skills, progress their careers, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

We offer:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Company pension scheme
• Private health insurance contribution
• Generous annual leave entitlement & bonus company day
• TaxSaver travel and Bike to Work schemes
• Summer hours and an active social and charity committee
• Supportive multidisciplinary team environment

Career Development:

• This role is intended to provide significant exposure to all aspects of the firm's technology environment.
• Working closely with the current IT Manager, the successful candidate will progressively develop experience in areas including IT planning, supplier management, cybersecurity, projects, budgeting, risk management and technology strategy.
• For the right individual, there is a potential longer-term succession path to responsibility for the firm's overall IT function.

About us

CS Consulting is a multidisciplinary engineering consultancy delivering practical, buildable solutions across civil, structural, and traffic engineering disciplines. Our projects span residential, commercial, industrial, hospitality, healthcare, education, public sector, and infrastructure developments throughout Ireland and internationally.

We foster a collaborative and supportive culture where our people are encouraged to take ownership of their work, develop their technical capability, and progress their careers. We are proud to be an Engineers Ireland CPD Accredited Employer - part of an exclusive network of organisations committed to continuous professional development and long-term career growth.