Microsoft Azure Administrator and Solutions Architect

WestEd Career • San Francisco, CA

2d • Remote

About The Position

WestEd's Client-Facing Technology (CFT) team is seeking a mission-driven Microsoft Azure Administrator and Solutions Architect. The CFT team designs, builds, and administers custom technology solutions for public agencies and mission-driven organizations—including cloud-based data platforms, secure compute environments, data management systems, privacy and security implementations, and custom application development. Clients come to us because of our technical depth and our deep understanding of the complex data governance and compliance landscape in which they operate. Our culture values communication, collaboration, accountability, and strong customer service skills. This role sits at the intersection of cloud infrastructure and client-facing technology program leadership — responsible for the operational health, security, and scalability of Azure environments while simultaneously leading complex cloud-based initiatives that require translating technical capabilities into clear requirements, milestones, and deliverables. The successful candidate will be a key technical resource on the CFT team, working closely with project managers, technical specialists, and clients across a growing portfolio of work. The Microsoft Azure Administrator and Solutions Architect is responsible for administering and operating cloud environments built on Microsoft Azure for clients, serving as the team's subject-matter expert in Microsoft data and analytics tools, and providing business analysis and systems architecture support across client engagements. Approximately 60% of this role is focused on Azure cloud administration and infrastructure operations; the remaining 40% involves technical program management and architecture, including client engagement, requirements gathering, risk tracking, and delivery oversight. This position requires a strong background in Azure cloud administration, Microsoft software and tools, and a demonstrated ability to translate complex stakeholder requirements into well-designed, documented, and executable system architectures. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable provisioning cloud resources and running a stakeholder meeting. The position works with great independence under the guidance of the Director of Data & Cloud Solutions and collaborates closely with internal engineering and DevOps teams, external client technology teams, and project stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field—equivalent additional experience in software development may substitute for this education requirement.
• 5+ years of experience with Microsoft operating systems administration (e.g. Windows Server 2025/2022/2019, Windows 11/10)
• 3+ years of experience administering Microsoft Azure cloud environments for databases and hosting, including but not limited to: Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) credential and identity management Azure networking: Front Door, VPN Gateway, vNet communication, NSGs, and ExpressRoute Azure compute and hosting: Virtual Machines, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Container Apps, Azure Static Web Apps, Azure Functions Monitoring and security: Azure Monitor, Application Insights, Log Analytics, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Datadog Disaster recovery and backup: Azure Site Recovery (across availability zones) and Azure Backup Patch management: Azure Update Manager; infrastructure-as-code: ARM templates, Bicep, and/or Terraform; source control: GitHub and/or Azure DevOp
• 3+ years of experience with Microsoft SQL Server, including database design, administration, and writing and optimizing SQL queries.
• 3+ years of experience with Microsoft PowerBI, including the design, build, and maintenance of Power BI reports and dashboards.
• 2+ years of experience with other Microsoft tools—beyond those above—including but not limited to: Fabric, Purview, DevOps, Azure Synapse Analytics, or Azure Data Factory.
• Strong proficiency in PowerShell for automation and scripting; working knowledge of Azure CLI
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and code review processes.
• Proven track record leading cross-functional infrastructure or cloud projects in an Agile/Scrum or similar framework.
• Recent experience working with public sector clients, including governmental, non-profit, or educational agencies.
• Recent experience ensuring adherence to the CIS Critical Security Controls framework for system risk assessment and management as well as related policies, rules, and regulations.
• Experience designing or working within data enclaves, trusted execution environments, or secure compute environments for sensitive data.
• Familiarity with education data privacy laws and standards (FERPA, CIPA, COPPA, HIPAA, CJIS, ESSA) and related compliance implementation.
• Demonstrated experience translating business needs into technical requirements, system designs, and project plans.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to handle changing priorities and multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in the English language—ability to communicate effectively with clients and develop a clear understanding of their business needs.
• Reliability, a professional attitude, and a willingness to do what is required in a cooperative work setting; must be a self-starter, independent thinker, action-oriented, and self-motivated.
• Located in the United States with availability to work 8 hours per day every weekday.
• Work schedule can be flexible but must include the core hours of Monday-Friday, 9am-2pm PT regardless of time zone.
• Willingness to participate in total time accounting, including recording and reporting of actual time spent across multiple concurrent projects in fifteen-minute increments.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Snowflake, dbt, Tableau, or other modern data stack tools—ability to collaborate with staff using non-Microsoft tools.
• Familiarity with education data standards (CEDS, Ed-Fi, SIF) and related interoperability frameworks.
• Desire to learn new technologies and keep current with technological trends.
• Recent experience with collaboration and productivity tools including Microsoft Office 365, Box, Zoom, Asana, and Google docs.
• Holds a United States government security clearance at the Tier 2 (5C) Moderate level or higher.
• Certifications in (preferred): Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300) Microsoft Fabric Analytics Engineer (DP-600) Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity (SC-900 or AZ-500) CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or equivalent security credential

Responsibilities

• Provision, configure, administer, and monitor Microsoft Azure cloud environments for client-facing work, including web services (App Service Plans, Web Apps, Static Web Apps) compute (virtual machines, Azure Kubernetes Service), storage (Blob Storage, Azure Files), networking (VNets, NSGs, ExpressRoute, VPN Gateway, Azure Front Door), databases (Azure SQL, Managed Instance, Cosmos DB, Azure Database for MySQL) Azure AI tools/resources, and security configurations.
• Configure and maintain Azure security controls, including identity and access management (Microsoft EntraID, RBAC), network security groups, Azure Policy, and Azure Key Vault for secrets management.
• Automate routine tasks, updates, and infrastructure deployments using PowerShell, Azure CLI, and infrastructure-as-code tools (ARM templates, Bicep, and/or Terraform); maintain integration between Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID in hybrid environments
• Implement and maintain monitoring, alerting, and logging using Azure Monitor, Application Insights, Log Analytics, and related tools.
• Manage disaster recovery and backup strategies using Azure Site Recovery and Azure Backup.
• Support secure compute environments designed for sensitive data workloads, including environments subject to FERPA, HIPAA, CJIS, and related compliance requirements.
• Maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of cloud systems and related infrastructure.
• Adhere to WestEd Information Technology policies, including security, disaster recovery, backup, and escalation protocols.
• Provide after-hours support as needed for critical infrastructure issues.
• Serve as the CFT team's go-to resource for Microsoft data and analytics tools, advising on appropriate use cases, capabilities, and implementation approaches.
• Design, build, and maintain Power BI reports and dashboards for client engagements, including data modeling and publishing to Power BI Service.
• Support other WestEd project teams in developing their own Power BI capabilities through technical guidance, review, and coaching.
• Evaluate and recommend Microsoft data tools—including Microsoft Fabric, Purview, Synapse Analytics, SQL Server, and Azure Data Factory—for client projects and internal use.
• Represent Microsoft-stack solutions in proposal development and client conversations, particularly for public agency clients whose procurement environments are Microsoft-aligned.
• Assist with assessment and potential migration of reporting solutions (e.g., from Tableau to Power BI) as client needs require.
• Build reusable templates, standards, and documentation for Microsoft data tooling as CFT formalizes its approach.
• Work directly with clients and internal stakeholders to gather and translate business needs into detailed technical requirements, project plans, and delivery roadmaps; conduct stakeholder interviews to understand data flows, compliance constraints, and intended outcomes.
• Develop use cases, process flows, data flow diagrams, and system architecture documentation that translate business requirements into technical designs.
• Lead end-to-end delivery of cloud infrastructure projects, including migrations, upgrades, disaster recovery planning, and client-driven integrations.
• Drive alignment across engineering, security, and client teams — removing roadblocks and maintaining momentum against project timelines; proactively identify project risks, develop mitigation strategies, and provide data-informed status reporting to stakeholders and leadership.
• Design cloud architecture solutions appropriate to client requirements, including environments for sensitive data, multi-tenant platforms, and data integration scenarios.
• Communicate architectural decisions, trade-offs, and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including WestEd staff, project directors, and leadership.
• Serve as a technical resource during proposal development, helping scope, design, and document technical approaches for competitive RFP responses.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), architecture diagrams, requirements specifications, runbooks, configuration records, and post-mortem reports.
• Collaborate and coordinate with multiple divisions, departments, stakeholders, partners, and external vendors.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal teams and external clients through professional communication and collaborative problem-solving.
• Participate in proposal response costing and content authorship; buy/build analysis; and vendor evaluation and oversight activities.
• Manage work assignments using established workflow tools (e.g., Azure DevOps, GitHub) and participate in Agile/Scrum working group meetings.

Benefits

• 15% contribution toward retirement effective day 1 of employment and immediately 100% vested
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account option
• All health/welfare benefits are effective the first of the month following the hire date
• PTO: 19 days (increases to 21 days beginning the third year of employment)
• 12 paid holidays
• Life Insurance: value of 3x gross salary, max of 500k
• Opportunities for annual merit-based performance increases + annual incentives
• Professional development opportunities & mentorship program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior