Assistant Manager - IT Infra

Job Title: Assistant Manager – IT Infra Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India Reports to: Operations Manager Working Mode: 5 Days in office (Full-Time) Company Overview We are a dynamic software and content creation company headquartered in Scotland, UK, with a talented development and production team based in Pune, India.

We specialise in creating high-quality Architectural digital experiences and producing immersive visual content. We foster a collaborative; international working environment focused on innovation and quality.

Role Summary

We are seeking a proactive and skilled IT Support Associate with 5+ years of experience to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day support and maintenance of our IT infrastructure, including systems, networks, hardware, and software. This role requires a hands-on approach to troubleshooting, a passion for automation and innovation, and a commitment to ensuring our systems operate at peak performance.

This is a self-driven, independent role. The ideal candidate is proactive by nature, comfortable owning IT infrastructure projects end-to-end without close supervision, and confident taking full responsibility for the studio's IT and cyber security posture.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of Windows Server, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Office 365, and VPN, with the ability to apply this knowledge independently across day-to-day administration, troubleshooting, and new deployments.
• Scripting: Familiarity with scripting languages like Power. Shell or Python, used to build reusable scripts for routine administrative and configuration tasks rather than relying on manual, repetitive work.
• Server & Network Management: Administer Windows Server environments end-to-end, including managing Active Directory objects and group policies, DNS and DHCP configuration, and VPN connections, ensuring stable and secure connectivity for all users.
• Hardware & Software Support: Install, configure, and troubleshoot PCs (Windows 7 and above), software, antivirus, printers, and network devices, minimising downtime through quick diagnosis and root-cause fixes rather than temporary workarounds.
• User & System Management: Configure and manage user profiles and accounts in Office 365 and Outlook, including onboarding/offboarding access changes. Implement and maintain security policies across all systems to ensure consistent, audit-ready access control.
• Network Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve LAN/WAN, wireless, and VPN connectivity issues efficiently, tracing problems to their source (hardware, configuration, or provider-side) rather than applying surface-level fixes.
• Backup & Storage: Manage data backup solutions and configure Network Attached Storage (NAS) for data storage, including regular verification that backups are complete, recoverable, and aligned with retention requirements.
• Inventory Management: Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of all IT inventory and spare parts, including asset assignment, warranty status, and stock levels, so replacements and repairs never stall the team.
• Security & Maintenance: Administer firewalls and antivirus systems, and apply software patches and updates regularly to ensure system security and stability, treating patching as a scheduled discipline rather than a reactive task.
• Embrace Scripting: Utilize scripting languages (e.g., Power. Shell, Python) to automate repetitive tasks and streamline system configurations, reducing manual effort and the risk of human error across recurring IT operations.
• Champion Change & Innovation: Actively identify and implement improvements to IT systems and workflows to enhance productivity, bringing forward suggestions rather than waiting to be asked.
• Implement Proactive Maintenance: Develop and execute a comprehensive maintenance schedule for all hardware, including PCs, laptops, and the physical storage server, so servicing happens on a planned cadence rather than only when something breaks.
• Boost Performance: Proactively identify and resolve performance bottlenecks, particularly for high-end workstations and render farms, since production output depends directly on these machines running at full capacity.
• Linux Support: Provide basic support and troubleshooting for Linux systems, covering the common issues that arise where Linux is used alongside the primary Windows environment.
• Firewall Project Ownership: Independently design, build, and implement the Sophos Firewall from scratch — covering planning, rule configuration, VPN and network segmentation setup, testing, and full rollout — without requiring supervision or step-by-step direction.
• Cybersecurity Supervision: Act as the IT & Cyber Security supervisor for the studio, owning the overall security posture across all systems, setting the direction on security practices rather than simply following instructions from others.
• Threat Detection: Monitor and detect incoming threats using Sentinel. One (or the current antivirus/EDR platform), reviewing alerts, distinguishing real threats from noise, and responding proactively to identified incidents before they escalate.
• Security Policy & Awareness: Draft and roll out proactive IT security policies and awareness practices — covering areas such as password hygiene, phishing awareness, and acceptable use — so all employees understand and follow security protocols in their daily work.
• Independent Infra Management: Own end-to-end IT infrastructure management independently — from planning through execution and upkeep — escalating only where genuinely necessary rather than by default.

Requirements

5 What We Offer

• A challenging and rewarding role in a fast-paced and innovative environment, where you'll have real ownership over the studio's IT and security infrastructure.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development, including exposure to modern security tooling and infrastructure projects.
• The chance to work with a dedicated and talented team, across both the Pune studio and our UK head office.
• A competitive salary and benefits package, reflective of the seniority and independence this role carries. + years in IT support, system administration, or a related role, with exposure to managing infrastructure in a business environment rather than purely academic or personal projects.
• Troubleshooting: Proven experience in network troubleshooting, hardware support, and using security tools, with a track record of resolving issues rather than only identifying them.
• Communication: Excellent problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain technical issues to non-technical users so that colleagues across the business understand impact and next steps.
• Proactive Mindset: A strong aptitude for proactive maintenance and performance optimization, consistently looking ahead to prevent issues rather than only reacting once something fails.
• Firewall Implementation: Hands-on experience implementing firewalls (Sophos preferred), from initial setup through to full deployment, including rule design, testing, and go-live.
• Threat Detection Tools: Working knowledge of Sentinel. One or similar EDR/antivirus platforms for threat monitoring and response, including interpreting alerts and taking appropriate remediation action.
• Independent Ownership: A demonstrated track record of managing IT infrastructure projects independently, with minimal supervision, from initial scoping through to completion.

Education

& Certifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience gained through hands-on IT infrastructure roles.
• Certifications: Relevant certifications such as CompTIA A+, Network+, or Microsoft certifications are highly desirable, and any additional security-focused certifications (e.g., Security+, Sophos or Sentinel. One product certifications) will be a strong plus. Added Advantages
• Experience with Microsoft Azure cloud services, including managing cloud-hosted resources alongside on-premise infrastructure.
• Familiarity with version control tools like Fork or other Git clients, useful for managing scripts and configuration files in a structured, trackable way.
• Experience with render farm management or 3D software (e.g., Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, V-Ray, Corona Renderer), which helps in understanding and supporting the studio's production workflows. Personal Attributes
• Problem-Solver: A natural curiosity and a drive to solve complex technical challenges, digging into the root cause of a problem rather than settling for a quick patch.
• Adaptable: Ability to adapt to new technologies and changing business needs, picking up new tools and processes quickly as the studio's infrastructure evolves.
• Detail-Oriented: Meticulous in managing inventory, performing maintenance, and documenting processes, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks as systems and assets change hands.
• Self-Driven / Ownership-Oriented: Comfortable taking full ownership of IT infrastructure projects and security decisions independently, without close supervision, and confident enough to make sound calls under pressure.

Benefits

What We Offer

• A challenging and rewarding role in a fast-paced and innovative environment, where you'll have real ownership over the studio's IT and security infrastructure.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development, including exposure to modern security tooling and infrastructure projects.
• The chance to work with a dedicated and talented team, across both the Pune studio and our UK head office.
• A competitive salary and benefits package, reflective of the seniority and independence this role carries.