Systems Administrator

The Systems Administrator plays a critical role in supporting the technology that powers hotel operations across the Driftwood Hospitality Management portfolio. Reporting to the Director of IT, this position is responsible for the installation, configuration, maintenance, and upgrade of a wide range of property and corporate systems. The role focuses heavily on technology deployments, including property management system (PMS) and point-of-sale (POS) implementations, network refreshes, and server installations and migrations.

The Systems Administrator works closely with property leadership, the IT Help Desk, brand technology teams, and third-party vendors to deliver reliable, secure, and brand-compliant technology that supports an exceptional guest and associate experience. This position requires travel of up to 25%.

Primary Responsibilities

Systems Deployment & Project Support

• Travel to properties throughout the portfolio to install, configure, and upgrade hotel technology systems and network infrastructure.
• Lead and support PMS, POS, and other property system deployments, conversions, and upgrades, including hotel openings, new property onboarding, and rebranding projects.
• Execute network refresh projects, including the installation and configuration of switches, firewalls, wireless access points, and related infrastructure.
• Plan and perform server installations, migrations, and decommissions, including transitions to virtualized and cloud-hosted environments.
• Coordinate with vendors, contractors, internet service providers, and brand technology teams on project scheduling, site readiness, circuit installations, and system cutovers.

Infrastructure Administration & Maintenance

• Configure, administer, and maintain networks, servers, and endpoints in compliance with brand standards and company security policies.
• Administer Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft 365, Group Policy, and user account access and permissions.
• Manage patching and updates for servers, network devices, and endpoints to keep systems current, stable, and secure.
• Monitor system and network performance, availability, and capacity, proactively identifying and resolving issues before they affect hotel operations.
• Maintain backup and disaster recovery processes, including regular testing of data restores.
• Maintain accurate hardware and software asset inventories, including lifecycle, warranty, and licensing records.

Security & Compliance

• Safeguard systems and data through access controls, firewall management, endpoint protection, and backup procedures.
• Support PCI DSS compliance for payment environments, including network segmentation, separation of guest and back-office networks, and participation in annual assessments.
• Ensure property networks and systems meet brand technology standards, and support brand technology audits and remediation efforts.
• Assist in the response to and investigation of security incidents in accordance with established incident response procedures.

Support & Troubleshooting

• Diagnose and resolve system, network, and hardware issues and outages, engaging vendors as needed to restore service quickly.
• Serve as an escalation point for the IT Help Desk, ensuring timely and effective resolution of higher-level tickets.
• Participate in the on-call rotation to resolve critical after-hours incidents affecting 24/7 hotel operations.
• Provide remote and on-site support to property associates and leadership, and deliver training on new or upgraded systems.

Documentation & Continuous Improvement

• Create and maintain thorough documentation of systems, network diagrams, configurations, and standard operating procedures in the IT documentation system.
• Recommend improvements to infrastructure, processes, and standards that enhance reliability, security, and efficiency across the portfolio.
• Stay current on emerging hospitality technology, security threats, and industry best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three or more years of experience in systems or network administration.
• Strong working knowledge of LAN and WAN network administration, including VLANs, switching, routing, and firewall configuration.
• Hands-on experience administering and troubleshooting Windows operating systems and Windows Server, including Active Directory, DNS, and DHCP.
• Familiarity with virtualization platforms (such as VMware or Hyper-V) and cloud services (such as Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365).
• Ability to travel up to 25%, including overnight stays, and a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to participate in the on-call support rotation, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred

• Experience in the hospitality industry, particularly with hotel operations technology.
• Experience with hotel PMS and POS platforms, such as Oracle OPERA and Oracle MICROS Simphony, Agilysys, and Toast.
• Experience with guest-facing technology, including guest Wi-Fi (HSIA), in-room entertainment, and electronic locking systems.
• Working knowledge of PCI DSS requirements.
• Industry certifications such as CompTIA Network+ or Security+, Cisco CCNA, or relevant Microsoft certifications.
• Experience with IT service management (ticketing) and documentation platforms., * Ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work in equipment rooms, network closets, and ceiling spaces, including climbing ladders and standing, bending, or kneeling for extended periods.
• Work is performed at the corporate office, remotely, and on-site at hotel properties. Schedules may vary with project needs, including after-hours work to minimize disruption to guests and hotel operations.

• 401(k)
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Room Discounts
• Employee Food and Beverage Discounts