Founded over 20 years ago by three entrepreneurial women with a passion for beautiful, practical and comfortable homes, OKA is more than a furniture and homeware retailer: it is a love affair with living well. We inspire people to confidently create a home that reflects their personality, a space where nothing should be too precious or perfect to be enjoyed with family and friends. British-born, today we have 13 stores across the UK, an established Interior Design and Trade business, a mail-order service and a thriving website. We are currently looking to recruit a full-time Network and Desktop Support Administrator to support our Technology team, based at our office in Didcot, Oxfordshire. We operate a hybrid working model: three or more days from the office, the remainder of the week from home. ABOUT US We know the best work is done by people who enjoy their jobs, so we create a fun and nurturing environment where everyone feels valued and is able to thrive. We are looking for an agile and proactive Network and Desktop Support Administrator with a positive attitude and entrepreneurial spirit who can help us nurture this company culture. Reporting directly to the IT Operations Manager the Network and Desktop Support Administrator is responsible for maintaining and supporting the company's network infrastructure, desktop systems, and providing hands-on technical support for end-users. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of network administration, desktop support, and troubleshooting, combined with a passion for ensuring smooth and efficient IT operations across the organization. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Network Administration: · Monitor and maintain the company’s local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and other network components. · Ensure the reliability and performance of the network, including configuring routers, switches, and firewalls. · Perform network troubleshooting to resolve connectivity issues and optimize network performance. · Assist with network security and access controls, ensuring compliance with organizational standards. · Collaborate with other IT staff to implement and maintain network upgrades and improvements. Desktop Support: · Provide on-site and remote technical support for employees’ desktops, laptops, and mobile devices (Windows and macOS environments). · Troubleshoot hardware and software issues, performing necessary repairs or replacements. · Install, configure, and maintain operating systems, software applications, and updates on desktop systems. · Manage desktop imaging, deployments, and system refresh cycles. · Set up, configure, and support peripherals, including printers, scanners, and external devices. · Document technical solutions, processes, and best practices to aid in troubleshooting and training. · Create and manage support tickets, ensuring timely and efficient resolution of issues. · Provide training and guidance to staff on best practices for IT usage and security. Server Management: · Administer, configure, and maintain Hyper-V virtualization environments, ensuring the effective deployment, performance, and availability of virtual machines. · Oversee and manage SAN (Storage Area Network) servers, ensuring optimal storage performance, capacity planning, and data redundancy for critical business applications. · Conduct regular system performance reviews and troubleshooting for both Hyper-V and SAN environments, resolving any issues promptly to minimize downtime. · Monitor and report on server health, capacity, and performance metrics, identifying areas for optimization and proactive improvements. · Collaborate with cross-functional teams to plan and execute server migrations, backups, and disaster recovery strategies for both virtual and physical server environments. · Implement security best practices for server infrastructure, including patch management, access control, and monitoring for vulnerabilities. · Assist in managing and supporting server infrastructure during system upgrades, patches, and new deployments. · Ensure compliance with industry standards, company policies, and best practices for data protection, performance, and availability. Systems Monitoring & Security: · Regularly monitor network performance, security logs, and system health. · Help ensure that security measures such as firewalls, antivirus software, and data backup processes are in place and functioning. · Assist with routine data backup and disaster recovery procedures. · Maintain and update security protocols to protect against potential vulnerabilities. ABOUT YOU · Proven experience in network support · Strong knowledge of networking protocols, routing, switching, and firewalls. · Hands-on experience with Windows OS (10, 11) and macOS environments. · Familiarity with Microsoft Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and VPN technologies. · Experience with hardware troubleshooting and configuration (e.g., desktops, laptops, printers). · Good understanding of cybersecurity principles and practices. · Relevant certifications such as CompTIA A, Network, or Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) preferred. · Experience with virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V) preferred. · Knowledge of cloud-based tools and collaboration platforms (e.g., Office 365, Microsoft Teams) preferred. · Familiarity with ticketing systems (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira, Freshdesk) preferred. · Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. · Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with both technical and non-technical staff. · Ability to work independently and take initiative in resolving issues. · A creative, problem-solving spirit · Passion for the OKA brand OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE · 33 days holiday (including bank holiday entitlement), plus Length of Service increases · Day off for your birthday · Health Cash Plan · Generous staff discount · Enhanced Maternity Pay · Employee Assistance Programme · Eligibility for a discretionary company Bonus Scheme · Discounts on 60 UK retailers via My OKA benefits platform · Plus a suite of additional employee benefits including Company pension scheme, life assurance cover, free eye tests, cycle to work scheme, interest free travel loans, social events, online wellbeing centre and more. If successful you will become part of the OKA family, a fast-paced and dynamic business. If you would like to apply for this position, please send your CV and details of your salary expectations, notice period and right to work information via the link provided.