Alex Kleinsmith

Website administration: Administers and maintains the municipality's website, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information. Coordinates with various departments to gather relevant content and ensures its timely publication on the website. Performs regular website updates, including content uploads, page creation, and removal of outdated information. Monitors website performance, conducts routine checks, and addresses any technical issues or bugs promptly.
ICT desktop and user support: Responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of computer hardware and software. Provides helpdesk and technical support to users and troubleshoot problems. Complies with all company policies and procedures.
System administration of Active Directory domain server: Creating user accounts, assigning permissions to user accounts, and managing group membership. Monitoring the file server for performance and security issues.
System administration of Microsoft 365 Exchange online server: Creating and managing user accounts and mailboxes. Managing email, calendaring and Exchange Server security. Monitoring Exchange Server performance and health. Providing user support for Exchange Server.
System administration of Microsoft 365 Teams: Set up and manage Teams for users, Teams content and Teams security. Provide user support for Teams.
System administration of Microsoft Intune: Responsible for overseeing the management of devices and applications within an organisation. This includes tasks like enrolling devices, configuring policies, deploying apps, implementing conditional access, managing users and groups, and generating reports. The goal is to ensure the security, compliance, and efficient use of mobile resources.
Sophos Firewall administration: Managing and configuring a network security appliance to protect an organisation from cyber threats. Key responsibilities include setting up network interfaces, creating security policies, managing threat prevention features, configuring VPNs, and monitoring network activity. The goal is to ensure the security and integrity of the network.
Disaster recovery and backup administration: Protecting an organisation's data and systems from disruptions. Key responsibilities include creating backup plans, implementing backup solutions, testing procedures, developing disaster recovery plans, conducting drills, and ensuring compliance. The goal is to ensure business continuity in case of unexpected events.
Other duties: Managing ICT procurement, ensuring compliance with regulations, providing technical guidance, staying updated on industry trends, contributing to policy development, and conducting regular system monitoring to maintain the organisation's ICT infrastructure effectively.

As the Acting ICT Manager, I have spearheaded strategic initiatives aimed at optimizing the municipality's IT landscape. By meticulously scrutinizing projects and contracts, I have successfully eliminated unnecessary expenditures, resulting in significant cost savings for the organisation. Additionally, I have undertaken the task of restructuring the ICT team, realigning duties and responsibilities to better synchronize with departmental objectives, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.

Regularly reporting to the ICT steering committee and senior management, I have provided comprehensive updates on accomplishments and ongoing projects, ensuring transparency and alignment with organizational goals. Moreover, I have developed a comprehensive ICT strategy and implementation plan spanning the next five years, meticulously designed to align with the council's strategic objectives outlined in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). Recognizing the importance of policy alignment, I have meticulously separated and aligned the existing ICT policy framework with provincial ICT guidelines, ensuring regulatory compliance and best practices. In overseeing the ICT department, I have provided effective leadership and direction, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation amongst my team. Through proactive risk analysis and the implementation of robust security measures, I have safeguarded the municipality's data and systems against potential threats.

Continuously staying abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends, I have championed the adoption of innovative solutions to drive efficiency and enhance service delivery. Furthermore, my adept communication skills have facilitated seamless collaboration with other departments, ensuring that IT services remain closely aligned with broader municipal objectives.

In addition, I provided strategic guidance in technology selection, deployment, and optimization to align with long-term objectives and budgetary considerations. Conducting regular IT system evaluations, I implemented continuous improvement initiatives to enhance reliability, scalability, and user experience. Collaborating with vendors, I negotiated contracts to secure
favorable terms and maintained high-quality service delivery standards.

Furthermore, I facilitated staff training and development, ensuring readiness for technological advancements and effective organizational adaptation. Through proactive stakeholder engagement, I fostered strong relationships, promoting collaboration and innovation across the municipality.

Successfully administering and maintaining the municipal website, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information. Provide technical support and troubleshoot computer hardware and software issues. Additionally, responsible for system administration, particularly for Active Directory, Microsoft 365 Exchange Online, and Microsoft 365 Teams. Other duties and responsibilities include drafting ICT tenders, ensuring compliance with auditing standards, and staying abreast of emerging technologies in the ICT field.

Provided technical support to all users of Departments of Health, Social Development and Cultural Affairs and Sport in the Overberg region, maintained the functionality of computer systems and equipment, followed company policies and procedures, and ensured timely resolution of helpdesk tickets.

Developed and delivered digital marketing strategies, analyzed feedback and data, lead client workshops, managed projects like digital and social media programs, created reports, stayed updated on digital trends, designed branding collateral, and created and managed websites for clients.

Created and managed content for brands across multiple media platforms, developed media plans, executed digital marketing campaigns, managed websites, created marketing materials, and collaborated with stakeholders and agencies to achieve marketing goals.

Managed and promoted the MOD Programme in Schools Sport Development, lead and mentored staff, assisted with education and training, managed administration and reports, coordinated programs, established school leagues, accompanied participants, promoted talent identification, and adhered to operational requirements.

Coordinated and administered rugby development activities, provided coaching support and courses, ensured rugby safety through Boksmart courses as a facilitator, lead the Overberg Development Committee, and served as a rugby administrator, coach, and talent identification scout for elite player development.

Provided technical support for clients, designed and maintained network environments, assisted with operational and disaster recovery procedures, followed ITIL practices, identified network performance improvement opportunities, maintained network documentation, and managed network operations.

Responsible for operating system builds, fault diagnosis, laptop and desktop support, end-user and server troubleshooting, and providing networking support.

Provided IT support to various departments in 3 locations, ensured disaster recovery and backup procedures are in place, implemented IT policies and procedures, managed the IT budget, and negotiated contracts with external vendors and service providers.

Provided first-level support, managed IT infrastructure, offered technical assistance, maintained inventory, adhered to ITIL processes, generated reports, and acted as an System Administrator/Account Manager for hospitality systems.

Answered calls and emails, logged Helpdesk requests, troubleshooted technical issues, followed established procedures, assisted with case management, adhered to ITIL practices, and maintained a positive work environment among colleagues. As a Helpdesk Supervisor I managed the Helpdesk team, provided technical support, training and development, managed Helpdesk system, ensured quality customer service, analyzed performance metrics, driving continuous improvement, incident management, and fostered effective communication and collaboration.

Responsible for 8 hotels, analyzed and improved the IT infrastructure, communicating updates and best practices, implemented IT policies and procedures and disaster recovery procedures, managing the IT budget, developed delivery and support plans, managed IT staff, negotiated contracts, and ensured network and data security.

Assisted with network management, applied updates to servers and workstations, automated software deployments, created documentation, followed ITIL practices, maintained network infrastructure, managed budgets, and overseeing various servers and their associated systems and software.

Provided hardware and software support, managed ticket queues, and troubleshooted network performance issues.

Managed and maintained the computer systems on a cruise ship, including hardware, software, networks, and peripheral equipment. It required installation, troubleshooting, and upgrades, as well as planning for port calls and ensured the smooth operation of onboard data centers. Performed routine computer operations and provided general support for shipboard systems.

Handled incoming calls and emails, provided initial 1st tier support, troubleshooted hardware and network issues, managed server room and IT infrastructure, maintained network infrastructure, and ensured network and system security.

Implemented software for customers, provided training and support, developed training plans, supported the customer service department, contributed to QA processes, maintained user manuals, supplied documentation, and monitored the performance of installed systems. Got promoted to Junior Database Administrator and made changes to the database, supported database design and testing, ensured security and integrity, managed backups and recovery, maintained standards and policies, managed availability and performance, administered database objects, addressed security issues, and designed backup and storage strategies for the database.