Linux Services Manager (56248)

Job title: Linux Services Manager
Job type: Full-time
Emp type:
Salary type: Market related
Location: Johannesburg
Job published: 18 November 2025
Job ID: 56248

Job Description

Are you a technically strong Linux professional with leadership ability and a passion for infrastructure excellence? Our client is seeking a Linux Services Manager to lead a high-performing Linux operations

team within a national managed services environment

In this role, you'll combine hands-on Linux expertise with team leadership, project delivery, and technical ownership of enterprise Linux service offerings. You will act as the technical authority in client meetings,

drive automation and optimisation initiatives, and ensure the delivery of reliable, scalable Linux infrastructure services across multiple client environments

The position requires an experienced Linux specialist with deep capabilities across RHEL and Debian-

based systems, strong automation knowledge, and a proven track record leading technical teams in a fast-paced, service-driven environment

Duties and Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Management

- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Linux administrators across RHEL and Debian platforms

- Conduct performance reviews, guide skills development, and support certification requirements

- Manage workload distribution and ensure effective resource allocation

- Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on continuous improvement

Client Engagement & Project Delivery

- Act as the primary technical authority in client meetings and architecture discussions

- Lead end-to-end delivery of Linux infrastructure projects, ensuring quality and timelines are met

- Serve as product owner for Linux services, defining requirements and driving delivery excellence

- Present optimisation strategies, automation solutions, and infrastructure roadmaps to clients

Technical Strategy & Infrastructure Governance

- Provide expert guidance on RHEL, Debian systems, and enterprise Linux architectures

- Review and approve infrastructure designs, migrations, and implementation plans

- Stay up to date with emerging Linux technologies and automation trends

- Own technical standards for Linux services and ensure consistency across environments

- Act as the escalation point for complex Linux and automation incidents

Automation, Monitoring & System Optimisation

- Oversee automation initiatives, ensuring strong proficiency in Ansible across the team

- Manage infrastructure migrations between Linux distributions

- Lead deployment, optimisation, and transition of monitoring solutions (Zabbix, Nagios)

- Drive performance optimisation, capacity planning, and system reliability initiatives

- Maintain relationships with Linux and automation technology partners

Service Delivery Excellence

- Ensure team performance meets or exceeds Linux SLA and availability target

- Implement process and automation improvements to enhance operational efficiency

- Oversee documentation standards across all Linux environments

- Coordinate with wider managed services teams to ensure integrated service delivery

Strategic Planning & Innovation

- Contribute to Linux service roadmap development and long-term infrastructure strategy

- Identify opportunities for service expansion and automation enhancement

- Support business development with Linux infrastructure expertise

- Provide input into resource planning and future team scaling

Minimum Requirements

Technical Expertise

- 5-7 years of hands-on Linux system administration experience across RHEL and Debian families

- Strong experience with automation frameworks, especially Ansible

- Practical knowledge of Zabbix, Nagios, and infrastructure observability

- Solid understanding of enterprise Linux architectures, migrations, and optimisation

Leadership & Management

- 2-3 years of leadership or senior-level technical experience

- Strong project management capabilities with proven success delivering complex technical projects

- Excellent communication and client-facing presentation skills

- Ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced MSP environment

Professional Qualifications

- RHCSA / RHCE or equivalent Linux certification (essential)

- Relevant technical qualification or equivalent practical experience

- Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2) advantageous

- Additional certifications in automation, cloud, or monitoring technologies beneficial

Business Acumen

- Understanding of managed services delivery models and commercial frameworks

- Ability to translate technical concepts into business value for clients

- Strong customer service orientation with a focus on reliability and automation excellence

Other Requirements

- Your own reliable vehicle & driver's license

- Must be to work from home with a reliable internet connection

Remuneration

- Market related salary with company performance incentives

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