IT Automation & Systems Specialist

Location : London Status : 9 month fixed term contract, asap start Direct reports : Information Associate Reports to: Technology Operations Manager (EMEA & APAC) Team: Enterprise Applications Manager, Project Manager - IT Initiatives, Security Lead, AV Team, IT Technicians Job purpose The IFRS Foundation is seeking a skilled IT Automation & Systems Specialist to provide drive automation, optimisation, and administration of the user-facing components of our Microsoft Azure environment. Additionally, this role will help accelerate the migration to Windows 11 and Autopilot based laptop deployment. These initiatives are aimed at improving user experience, increasing operational efficiency, and reducing manual intervention across IT services. You will work at the intersection of support and engineering—resolving complex technical issues while proactively identifying opportunities to automate processes, streamline onboarding and implement system integration across platforms. The Team This role sits within the Technology Operations function, reporting to the Technology Operations Manager responsible for EMEA and APAC. The Technology Operations Manager: • Reports into the Infrastructure & Cyber Security Director, who in turn reports to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The role will operate as an individual contributor with no direct reports, working closely with colleagues across infrastructure, service desk, security, and application teams. The role has a global remit, collaborating across regions to deliver consistent, scalable solutions and support a unified user experience. Principal accountabilities: Automation, Optimisation & Integration • Design and implement automation solutions to reduce manual IT tasks and improve service delivery. • Simplify and optimise existing Microsoft Intune configurations to reduce complexity and improve maintainability. • Develop automated workflows where possible. Initial focus on: • User onboarding and offboarding • License assignment based on role or department • Device provisioning and configuration • Reduce onboarding time through process re-engineering and automation. Evaluate and implement AutoPilot if feasible. • Automate data flows and triggers between HR and IT systems (e.g., joiners, movers, leavers processes). • Accelerate the migration to Windows 11 Environment Alignment & Standardisation • Review and rationalise existing configurations originating from parallel or historically separate environments. • Identify inconsistencies across identity, device management, and access configurations, and implement a unified, standardised approach. • Consolidate policies within Microsoft Intune and Azure AD to reduce duplication, conflicts, and administrative overhead. • Align user lifecycle processes, licensing models, and security controls to a single operating model. Second-Line Support • Provide advanced technical support for escalated end-user issues across Azure, Microsoft 365, and endpoint management platforms. • Troubleshoot and resolve incidents related to identity, device management, access, and cloud services. • Collaborate with first-line support to ensure smooth escalation and knowledge transfer. Azure & Endpoint Administration • Administer and maintain the user-facing elements of the Azure environment, including Azure AD (Entra ID), Intune, and Microsoft 365 services. • Monitor system performance, security, and compliance across managed endpoints and cloud services. • Work with stakeholders to carefully transition legacy configurations with minimal disruption to end users. Reporting & Continuous Improvement • Build automated reporting solutions to provide insights into system usage, performance, and service delivery. • Identify trends and recommend impro