Microsoft 365 / GoDaddy Defederation & Email Migration Specialist Needed

Here’s a strong Upwork post that should attract experienced Microsoft 365 admins rather than generic IT support people. # Microsoft 365 / GoDaddy Defederation & Email Migration Specialist Needed We are a small commercial real estate firm seeking an experienced Microsoft 365 administrator to help migrate our email environment away from GoDaddy-managed Microsoft 365 into a direct Microsoft tenancy. Current environment:

• Approximately 9 users total
• 2 business partners
• 7 associates
• Existing custom domains
• Outlook desktop + mobile users
• GoDaddy-managed Microsoft 365
• Barracuda email filtering/quarantine currently in place
• Shared files/calendars/contacts in use

We are specifically looking for someone with DIRECT EXPERIENCE performing:

• GoDaddy Microsoft 365 defederation
• Microsoft tenant migrations
• Exchange Online administration
• DNS/MX/SPF/DKIM/DMARC configuration
• Outlook profile reconfiguration
• Microsoft 365 licensing optimization

This is NOT a basic mailbox migration project. We are looking for someone who understands the unique challenges of GoDaddy-managed Microsoft environments and can migrate us cleanly with minimal downtime. Objectives:

• Move from GoDaddy-managed Microsoft 365 to direct Microsoft 365
• Reduce ongoing licensing costs
• Maintain existing email addresses/domains
• Preserve all mailbox data, calendars, and contacts
• Maintain or improve spam filtering/quarantine functionality
• Optimize licensing structure
• Ensure clean Microsoft admin access after migration
• Minimize downtime and disruption to staff

Potential Scope:

• Review current GoDaddy environment
• Determine whether true defederation or migration is appropriate
• Assist with Microsoft tenant setup
• DNS/MX/SPF/DKIM/DMARC configuration
• Barracuda review and recommendations
• Outlook desktop/mobile reconnect assistance
• Shared mailbox setup
• MFA/security best practices
• Microsoft licensing recommendations
• Post-migration testing and support

Please include the following in your proposal: 1. How many GoDaddy → Microsoft 365 defederations/migrations you have completed 2. Whether you recommend defederation vs full migration for our situation 3. Expected downtime 4. Approximate project timeline 5. Your experience with Barracuda email filtering 6. Whether you are Microsoft certified 7. Your approach to rollback/disaster recovery if issues occur Strong preference for applicants who:

• Have completed multiple GoDaddy 365 defederations
• Can provide a clear migration process
• Understand small business operational continuity
• Have strong communication skills
• Can work after-hours or during low-disruption windows if needed

Please do NOT apply if:

• You only perform PST export/import mailbox migrations
• You do not have prior GoDaddy Microsoft 365 experience
• You are unfamiliar with defederation
• You cannot explain your migration methodology clearly

Potential for ongoing IT/admin relationship after project completion.