Johannesburg: Server and Cloud Second Level Support Manager

Introduction Harmony Gold Mine is seeking a technically adept and strategically minded Server and Cloud Second Level Support Manager to join our Group Technology division. This role combines hands-on technical expertise with strategic planning to design, implement, and manage a scalable, secure server infrastructure. The successful candidate will oversee a complex hybrid architecture spanning on-premises physical servers, virtual environments, and Azure cloud platforms, ensuring high reliability, optimization, and alignment with enterprise governance standards to fully support our mission-critical business applications. Minimum Requirements Applicants must fulfill the following criteria to be considered for this position: Education: Diploma in a relevant field (NQF 5). Certifications: Must possess at least one of the following: Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate, VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV), or HPE ASE Hybrid IT Solutions Architect. Experience: Minimum of 8 years of dedicated experience in server infrastructure, virtualization, and Azure cloud services. Technical Mastery: Proven expertise with Windows Server OS, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, clustering, and backup/recovery. Strong working skills in VMware, Hyper-V, and Azure IaaS components are essential. Automation & Migration: Highly proficient in scripting with PowerShell or Azure CLI, combined with a strong familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and hands-on experience in hybrid cloud migration and management. Safety & Compliance: A solid commitment to safety and compliance adhering to the Mine Health and Safety Act. Advantageous Attributes: Tertiary Qualification (NQF 6) in a relevant field; direct experience in the Mining Industry; ITIL Foundation certification; or advanced credentials such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert or Cybersecurity Architect Expert. Job Description Summary The Server and Cloud Second Level Support Manager is responsible for the overall operational stability, design integrity, and governance of the hybrid server environment. Key responsibilities include: Infrastructure Design & Architecture: Architecting and maintaining hybrid server environments integrating physical setups, virtual machines (VMware/Hyper-V), and Azure cloud platforms. Operational Management: Overseeing server deployment, patching cycles, security hardening, and performance optimization across the entire enterprise. Troubleshooting & Remediation: Leading complex troubleshooting workflows and detailed root cause analyses for server and virtualization-related system issues. Automation & Documentation: Automating repetitive server management tasks using scripting and configuration management tools while developing robust disaster recovery plans and infrastructure blueprints. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partnering with networking, security, cloud architects, and application teams to deliver securely integrated solutions. Vendor & Financial Management: Interfacing with external vendors for procurement, upgrades, and advanced technical support, alongside reviewing and monitoring the department’s annual and monthly operational budgets. Team Mentorship & Governance: Guiding and mentoring junior engineers to promote knowledge transfer within the team, while strictly enforcing adherence to GT policies and the overall GT Governance Framework. Health and Safety: Ensuring full personal and peer compliance with all health and safety systems, hazard identification practices, and standards dictated by the Mine Health and Safety Act to achieve zero harm.