Lead IT Support Operations Specialist

Zapalean is seeking an experienced IT Support & Operations Specialist to build and manage IT operations across European offices. The role involves user support, office IT infrastructure, vendor coordination, asset management, and information security controls.

• Provide remote and on-site IT support to employees across European offices.
• Configure, deploy, maintain, and troubleshoot Windows and macOS laptops.
• Support office equipment including monitors, docking stations, printers, scanners, conference room equipment, and other peripherals.
• Troubleshoot connectivity, Wi-Fi, VPN, software, account access, and hardware-related issues.
• Support employee onboarding, offboarding, and equipment replacement processes.
• Prepare devices and user accounts for new employees.
• Ensure access and company data are properly removed or secured during offboarding.
• Maintain clear communication with users and ensure support requests are resolved within agreed timelines.
• Establish and maintain a centralized helpdesk and ticket management process.
• Define request categories, priorities, escalation procedures, and response expectations.
• Create and maintain internal IT documentation, troubleshooting guides, and employee instructions.
• Identify recurring issues and implement permanent solutions.
• Track support performance, common issues, unresolved requests, and user satisfaction.
• Coordinate escalations with internal engineering teams, software providers, and external vendors.
• Maintain an accurate inventory of laptops, accessories, licenses, and other IT equipment.
• Manage the complete device lifecycle including purchasing, configuration, assignment, repair, replacement, return, and secure disposal.
• Implement and maintain device management standards using MDM or endpoint management solutions.
• Ensure devices are encrypted, updated, protected, and compliant with company security requirements.
• Manage software deployment, operating system updates, endpoint protection, and device configuration policies.
• Monitor warranty status and coordinate repairs or replacement with vendors.
• Support and maintain office networks, Wi-Fi, internet connectivity, printers, meeting room systems, and other local infrastructure.
• Coordinate office openings, relocations, expansions, and IT equipment installations.
• Diagnose local network and connectivity issues and work with internet providers or local contractors.
• Maintain basic documentation for each office including network configuration, equipment inventory, providers, contracts, and emergency contacts.
• Ensure critical office infrastructure has appropriate backup and recovery procedures.
• Identify, evaluate, and select local IT suppliers, repair services, internet providers, and other technical vendors.
• Request and compare commercial proposals.
• Coordinate equipment purchasing and service delivery.
• Monitor vendor performance, service quality, costs, contracts, and SLA compliance.
• Maintain relationships with vendors across different European countries.
• Look for opportunities to standardize equipment and reduce unnecessary costs.
• Apply and monitor company IT security policies across employee devices and offices.
• Ensure laptops use disk encryption, screen locking, endpoint protection, secure authentication, and current operating system updates.
• Support implementation and maintenance of multi-factor authentication, password management, VPN, and device management solutions.
• Assist with user access reviews and removal of unnecessary access.
• Help security team identify and escalate security risks, suspicious activity, lost devices, phishing attempts, and policy violations.
• Support security awareness activities and provide employees with practical guidance on secure device usage.
• Ensure company equipment and data are handled in accordance with internal policies and applicable European data protection requirements.

• 8+ years of experience in IT support, system administration, workplace IT, or a similar role.
• Practical experience supporting users across multiple offices or countries.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for Windows and macOS devices.
• Experience with Google Workspace administration.
• Experience with user onboarding, offboarding, account management, and access permissions.
• Understanding of office networks, Wi-Fi, VPN, DNS, DHCP, TCP/IP, and basic firewall concepts.
• Experience supporting printers, meeting room equipment, and office peripherals.
• Experience with ticketing or helpdesk systems such as Jira Service Management, Zendesk, Freshservice, ServiceNow, or similar.
• Understanding of endpoint security, disk encryption, MFA, password managers, antivirus or EDR solutions, patch management, and secure device disposal.
• Experience managing IT assets, equipment procurement, and external vendors.
• Ability to document processes and create clear technical instructions.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership, and make practical decisions without constant supervision.
• Good written and spoken English.