Mission freelance Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) SME

***SC Cleared***
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) SME
6 Month contract initially
Based: Gloucester/Remote (Mainly remote working)
Rate: £400- £450 p/d (via Umbrella company)

We have a great opportunity with a world leading organisation where you will be provided with all of the support and development to succeed. A progressive organisation where you can really make a difference. We have a great opportunity for a Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) SME Architect to join the team.
You will work as an Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) SME for the Virtual Devices Team following Scaled Agile Framework.

You will be involved in running, operating, and developing the AVD Environment which supports over 5K users from various geographies around the world.

You will Support and administer the Azure Virtual Desktop estate, ensuring secure, performant, and highly available remote working environments.

The AVD environment consists of Single and Multisession AVDs which is managed from Azure Portal and Infrastructure as a Code with DevOps CI/CD pipelines using Terraform, Azure CLI, ARM Templates and PowerShell Scripts.

You will also need to support and maintain the Windows environment and related infra (Group Policies, OU, Application Configuration, patching etc.) which is provided in AVD.

You are also expected to participate in knowledge transfer, documentation, and cross skilling the Team comprising of Junior SMEs.

Key Responsibilities:
* Running, operating, and developing the AVD Environment
* Maintain and Manage Windows Environment hosted in AVD
* Maintain and Manage policies/configuration which supports AVD
* Work within a dedicated AVD support team with direct end-user support
* Manage and maintain all aspects of Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure
* Administer host pools, images, user/application access, resource groups
* Support and customize multi-user environments using FSLogix & NetApp (or equivalent)
* Ensure high availability and DR across AVD components
* On-call support responsibilities (1-in-3 rotation, supplier to coordinate coverage)
* Ad-hoc travel to Gloucester Business Park (remote-first model)
* Work within a dedicated AVD support team with direct end-user support
* Manage and maintain all aspects of Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure
* Administer host pools, images, user/application access, resource groups
* Maintain and Manage applications hosted in AVD
* Develop and execute Infrastructure as a Code pipelines using Terraform and PowerShell
* Maintaining and Managing CI/CD Pipelines via GitHub Repos.
* Develop competency in the team and cross skill junior SMEs

Key Skills & Experience:
* In-depth understanding of the Azure and AVD architecture including good understanding of AVD design best practices and Migration best practices.
* High proficiency in Management, Configuration and Deployment best practices of Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD).
* Highly Proficient in configuring and managing Resource Pool, Host Groups, Images, Apps and User Access
* Highly proficient in configuring user customization through FSlogix
* Good Understanding of Virtual Desktop and Application strategies and best practices
* Proficient in Windows Operating System principals, Group Policy Management, PowerShell and Application Troubleshooting.
* Sound knowledge of Cloud Computing Fundamentals and Azure
* Experience of working in a dedicated Virtual Desktop Support Team providing direct support to user base
* In-depth understanding of the Azure Virtual Desktop AVD architecture and design best practices
* Proficiency in day-to-day administration of Azure Virtual Desktop environments including management of Resource Groups, Host Pools, Virtual Machine Images, Application Access & User Access
* Experience in administration of AVD Multi-User environments including user customization via FSLogix & NetApp storage (or equivalent)

This is an excellent opportunity on a great project of work, If you are looking for your next exciting opportunity, apply now for your CV to reach me directly, we will respond as soon as possible.


Due to the nature and urgency of this post, candidates holding or who have held high level security clearance in the past are most welcome to apply. Please note successful applicants will be required to be security cleared prior to appointment which can take up to a minimum 10 weeks. LA International is a HMG approved ICT Recruitment and Project Solutions Consultancy, operating globally from the largest single site in the UK as an IT Consultancy or as an Employment Business & Agency depending upon the precise nature of the work, for security cleared jobs or non-clearance vacancies, LA International welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people with diverse experience and backgrounds.

Award Winning LA International, winner of the Recruiter Awards for Excellence, Best IT Recruitment Company, Best Public Sector Recruitment Company and overall Gold Award winner, has now secured the most prestigious business award that any business can receive, The Queens Award for Enterprise: International Trade, for the second consecutive period.