Senior systems administrator Jobs in Mesa, AZ

Security & Systems Administrator

Cadence Education is currently in search of our next Security & Systems Administrator

Cadence Education is one of the premier early childhood educators in the United States, operating over 325 private preschools and elementary schools across 30 states. With over 30 years in business, we have developed an unparalleled expertise in preparing students to thrive in the next step of their childhood.

At Cadence Education, our mission is to create bright futures for children, families, employees and our communities. This mission can only be accomplished through a team of passionate childcare professionals who combine their talents to provide an unparalleled level of care and compassion for children and their families. Our research-based curriculum and home-based environments are the leading edge of early education.

Our schools are staffed with individuals who are talented, fun, and genuinely enthusiastic about child development and learning. We encourage collaboration and cherish open-communication in each school and with our corporate office. We work hard to create an outstanding work-life balance by supporting leaders and staff members every step of the way.

Benefits of Working Full Time at Cadence Education:

• Competitive compensation
• Salary Range: $79,476 - $104,000
• On demand pay with UKG Wallet
• 50% childcare tuition discount
• 401(k) with employer match
• Educational and professional development
• Comprehensive benefit package for all full-time employees, including:
• Paid time off that increases with seniority
• Medical, dental, vision options available
• Additional life, disability, and retirement plans
• Tuition reimbursement
• Company-paid life insurance
• Paid holidays
• 401K
• Pet insurance
• Paid CDA

Job Description

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Vice President of Information Technology, the Security and Systems Administrator will support and secure our Microsoft 365 and identity environment. This role is hands-on and technical, focused on system administration, security platform migrations, policy creation, and continuous improvement of our cybersecurity posture. The ideal candidate has deep experience with Microsoft 365, Intune, and Microsoft Security tools, and is comfortable operating in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Essential Functions:

1. Administer and optimize Microsoft 365 services including Azure AD (Entra ID), Exchange Online, Intune, and the Microsoft Defender security platform.
2. Lead configuration and ongoing management of Intune device compliance, conditional access, endpoint security, and identity protection policies. Monitor, investigate, and respond to security alerts and incidents across Microsoft security platforms.
3. Support migration and consolidation of security tools into Microsoft's security ecosystem where appropriate. Develop, document, and maintain technical security policies, standards, and procedures.
4. Lead projects related to Active Directory and identity hygiene, access reviews, and least-privilege enforcement.
5. Partner with the VP of IT to improve Cadence Education's security posture and security scoring aligned to NIST 2.0 and NIST AI frameworks.
6. Assist the IT Support team with escalated tickets related to identity, endpoint management, Microsoft 365, and security platforms.
7. Leverage automation tools such as Power Automate and Microsoft Copilot to streamline workflows and reduce manual effort.
8. Document configurations, processes, and technical standards to ensure operational continuity and audit readiness.

Required Skills and Education:

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  Working knowledge of identity and access management (IAM), RBAC, and Zero Trust principles.

  Familiarity with Intune, conditional access, endpoint security, and Microsoft Defender products.

  Ability to support escalated technical issues and collaborate across teams.

  Knowledge with NIST security frameworks, including NIST 2.0 and emerging NIST AI controls.

  Strong documentation and communication skills. Requires ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English.

  Education or equivalency:

  Requires a bachelor's degree in in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Computer Science or related field; or an equivalent combination of training and progressively responsible experience that will result in the required specialized knowledge and abilities to perform the assigned work.

  Experience:

  Requires a minimum of four (4) years' experience administering cloud-based identity environments.

  Certification/licensure:

  Prefer CISSP or other relevant security certifications such as Microsoft Security, Azure Security.

Cadence Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer.