Network Administrator

Job DetailsJob Location: Corp. Office - Chicago, IL - Chicago, IL 60661Position Type: Full TimeJob Category: Information TechnologyNATIONAL EQUITY FUND, INC. is a leading non-profit syndicator of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) with a mission to create and deliver innovative, collaborative financial solutions to expand the creation and preservation of affordable housing. The Network Administrator manages and supports NEF’s Microsoft 365 environment and network infrastructure, with a primary focus on the Chicago office. This role ensures secure, reliable access to systems and services through Office 365 administration, identity and access management, and Fortinet firewall and network support. The Network Administrator also serves as the primary escalation point for network and Office 365 connectivity issues and supports NEF’s broader cybersecurity and compliance efforts. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Administer NEF’s Microsoft 365 environment (Exchange Online, Entra ID/Azure AD, Teams, SharePoint). Create, maintain, and organize security groups, distribution lists, and Microsoft 365 groups. Manage user lifecycle activities, including account provisioning, deprovisioning, and access control. Implement and maintain identity and access policies (MFA, conditional access, RBAC alignment); monitor system health and troubleshoot Office 365 service issues. Manage and support the Chicago office network infrastructure, including Fortinet firewall configuration and monitoring, LAN/WAN connectivity, and VPN/remote access services. Diagnose and resolve network performance issues, outages, and connectivity disruptions; maintain firewall rules, segmentation, and access policies. Coordinate with external vendors and ISPs for incident resolution and service continuity. Serve as the primary escalation point for connectivity and Office 365 issues, resolving helpdesk tickets and providing clear guidance to end users on technical issues. Support implementation of NEF’s cybersecurity controls across network and identity systems; monitor logs, alerts, and system activity for potential security risks. Help monitor and upgrade NEF’s Netskope infrastructure, and manage Netskope group access. Maintain accurate documentation for network architecture, firewall configurations, and Office 365 governance policies. Identify opportunities to improve automation, efficiency, and system reliability; contribute to standard operating procedures and best practices. MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND, ABILITIES REQUIRED: 3–5+ years of experience in network administration and Microsoft 365 administration, with hands-on experience in Office 365/Azure AD (Entra ID), network infrastructure (LAN/WAN, VPN), and firewall technologies (preferably Fortinet). Strong troubleshooting skills across network and cloud environments, with experience managing user access, group policies, and permissions. Preferred: Microsoft 365 Administrator (MS-102 or equivalent) and/or Fortinet NSE certification; experience with Conditional Access/Zero Trust architecture, SIEM or security monitoring tools, hybrid cloud/network environments, and Netskope or Darktrace is a plus. Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple issues simultaneously. Clear communication with both technical and non-technical users, and strong attention to detail and commitment to reliability and security. We offer a competitive salary, along with a comprehensive benefits package. NEF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Qualifications