IT Network Director

About the Role :

The Director of Networking Services plays a pivotal leadership role in delivering secure, resilient, and high-performance network infrastructure to support the academic, administrative, and research missions of a large-scale institution. As a member of the senior IT leadership team, this individual will define and execute a strategic vision for networking services while ensuring operational excellence, compliance, and cross-departmental alignment. The Director also serves as the institution’s subject matter expert and advisor for all networking-related initiatives.

Key Responsibilities :

Strategic Leadership & Vision

Define and execute a strategic roadmap for networking services aligned with institutional priorities.

Evaluate and recommend emerging technologies and investments.

Advise executive leadership on infrastructure strategy and risk mitigation.

Network Operations & Service Delivery

Oversee architecture, implementation, and administration of enterprise LAN / WAN, Wi-Fi, VPN, and firewall environments.

Ensure scalability, uptime, and performance standards are met.

Maintain SLAs, operational metrics, and service reporting.

Governance, Compliance & Security

Develop and enforce network policies and procedures aligned with industry security frameworks (e.g., NIST, PCI-DSS).

Support compliance audits, business continuity planning, and disaster recovery testing.

Budget & Resource Stewardship

Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial oversight for the networking division.

Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and procurement strategies.

Drive cost-effective infrastructure planning and sustainability efforts.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

Lead and mentor a team of network engineers, analysts, and technical staff.

Foster a collaborative, accountable, and customer-focused team culture.

Implement recruiting and retention strategies for top IT infrastructure talent.

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Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field (required).

Experience

10+ years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise networking leadership.

Experience in higher education or large-scale, multi-site IT environments strongly preferred.

Technical Skills

Expertise in LAN / WAN, wireless networking, VPN, firewalls, load balancers, and network monitoring tools.

In-depth knowledge of networking protocols, architectures, and security standards.

Familiarity with cloud networking (e.g., AWS, Azure) and hybrid IT environments.

Certifications

Industry certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, or equivalent are preferred but not required.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and team-building capabilities.

Excellent communication, strategic planning, and decision-making skills.

Proven ability to engage cross-functionally with diverse technical and non-technical teams.