Director of Network Services

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Infrastructure & Operations, the Director of Network Services provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and long-term vision for the University's enterprise network infrastructure. This role is accountable for the reliability, security, scalability, and performance of all campus networking services supporting academic instruction, research, healthcare-related programs, residential life, and administrative operations.

Serving as the senior authority for network services, the Director leads a team of network engineers and administrators, manages critical vendor partnerships, and aligns network strategy with institutional priorities, cybersecurity requirements, and future-facing technologies. This position balances executive-level planning with operational excellence, ensuring the University's network is resilient, modern, and capable of supporting evolving teaching, research, and digital transformation initiatives.

Essential Functions:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

* Define and execute the University's enterprise network strategy, roadmap, and architectural direction, including wired, wireless, data center, cloud connectivity, and edge networking.

* Align network services with institutional strategic goals, academic innovation, research needs, and clinical/healthcare-related programs.

* Lead modernization initiatives such as next-generation wireless, network automation, zero-trust networking, and cloud-integrated architectures.

* Serve as a trusted advisor to IT leadership and executive stakeholders on network capabilities, risks, and investment priorities.

Operational Oversight

* Ensure high availability, performance, and resilience of campus-wide network services, including core, distribution, access, and wireless infrastructure.

* Establish and enforce operational standards, change management practices, monitoring, and incident response processes.

* Oversee 24x7 network operations, escalation procedures, and coordination during critical incidents or outages.

* Maintain comprehensive network documentation, diagrams, standards, and lifecycle management plans.

People & Team Leadership

* Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of network engineers, administrators, and operational staff.

* Establish clear roles, responsibilities, performance expectations, and professional development pathways.

* Foster a culture of accountability, documentation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

* Support succession planning and workforce sustainability for critical network functions.

Financial & Vendor Management

* Own the network services budget, including forecasting, capital planning, renewals, and cost optimization.

* Develop and manage multi-year capital investment plans for network infrastructure.

* Lead vendor relationships with strategic partners (e.g., Cisco, wireless providers, carriers, monitoring platforms).

Governance & Stakeholder Engagement

* Represent Network Services on University committees related to technology, risk, and academic initiatives.

* Communicate network strategy, major initiatives, and service impacts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

* Partner with academic, research, and administrative units to understand requirements and translate them into scalable network solutions.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree in information technology, Computer Science, or a related field or equivalent professional experience.

* Demonstrated experience leading large-scale campus or enterprise networks with high availability requirements.

* 10+ years of progressive experience in enterprise network environments, including leadership or management roles. Cisco Enterprise routing and switching

* Cisco Certified Network Expert (CCIE) (preferred)

* Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Certification (preferred)

* Cisco ACI Experience

* Cisco SDA Experience

* 10+ years of progressive experience in enterprise network environments, including leadership or management roles. Cisco Enterprise routing and switching

* Large-scale Cisco wireless networks

* Palo Alto Firewalls

* Cisco VPNs

* Proven experience in engineering and supporting complex, mission-critical network environments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

* Strategic thinker with the ability to translate institutional goals into technical direction.

* Strong communicator who can engage executives, faculty, technical staff, and vendors.

* Collaborative, service-oriented mindset aligned with the University's mission and values.

* Forward-looking approach to technology, risk, and operational maturity.

* Data Center Operations

* Network Security Fundamentals

* Performance Tuning/Monitoring

* Accountability & Adaptability

* Collaboration and teamwork

* Customer Relationship Management

* Innovative/creative thinking

* Mission/Service orientation

* Backup Management Systems

* Telecommunications - Video/Voice

* Wireless Networking

* Network Security Principles

* Network operating systems

* Equipment configuration, testing, and repair

* Knowledge of network protocols

* Knowledge of Server operating systems.

* Network evaluation using standard tools.

* Ability to accurately diagnose problems.

* Operate network test equipment

* Openness (zest) for learning

* Results orientation

* Vendor Relationship Management

* Oral/written communication

* Time Management

* Technical Writing

* Problem Solving

Licenses/Certifications:

* CCNA Preferred

* ITIL certification or achieve certification within 6 months of hire