Director of Network Communications

The Director of Network Communications is operationally responsible for ensuring the availability, integrity, and security for IT voice and data network infrastructures, which includes telecommunications systems and all wired/wireless network systems. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, leading and mentoring the Network Communications team, establishing, and maintaining network architecture, ensuring University business continuity and disaster recovery, maintaining IT voice and data infrastructure hardware and software inventories, and researching and implementing best practices for telecommunications and network infrastructure services, including proven infrastructure methodologies, service management processes, and operational support.

Job Duties:

• Lead and mentor the Network Communications team
• Develop and maintain standards for Network/Telecommunication Operations, hardware, and electronics, which will maximize the availability of the enterprise network and Telecommunications systems. Enforce that Network Communications staff members follow standards
• Manage telecom and network Infrastructure projects and plans to ensure alignment with the University’s strategic direction and initiatives, to foster a high performing communications environment, and to mitigate risks
• Review designs offered by staff and provide any guidance or recommendations; participate as a team member when deemed necessary to coordinate designs involving enterprise-wide ramifications
• Utilize the network management tools to validate the overall health of the network to obtain maximum availability of the network.
• Provide technical expertise (i.e., tactical and operational) on evaluation, selection, implementation, and maintenance of network and telecommunications systems
• Plan and implement voice and data network equipment lifecycles
• Enforce network security practices and controls according to institutional policy and industry best practices
• Develop and implement redundancy and backup strategies and procedures for critical network infrastructure systems
• Research and implement best practices for telecom and network infrastructure services, including proven infrastructure methodologies, service management processes, and operational support
• Assist with the planning and control of the Network Communications operational and capital budgets
• Participate in and sometimes lead negotiations with vendors, outsourcers, and contractors to secure hardware, software, support, and other professional services
• Develop voice and data network infrastructure strategies and long-term planning based on institutional objectives
• Establish, implement, and enforce strong change management procedures
• Manage documentation of IT standard operating procedures and network/system diagrams for the institution
• Collaborate with IT Leadership and staff to best support the FIT community
• Contribute to FIT’s team effort by accomplishing other duties as assigned by the CIO

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or other appropriately related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in the implementation and management of voice and data networking environments
• Configuration and installation experience with advanced Network and Telecommunication technologies.
• Experience in network protocols (VPLS, VxLAN, BGP, OSPF, iBGP), network optimization, QoS, SD-WAN and Network Segmentation
• Experience configuring various routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, intrusion prevention/detection systems, proxies, dynamic VPNs, point-to-point VPNs, VoIP hardware, network management protocols, and Public Cloud resources
• Design, installation and support experience with local and wide area network infrastructures and Telecommunication systems
• Network industry certifications a plus
• Demonstrated experience managing technical staff

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Expert knowledge of end-to-end Network and Telecommunications infrastructure and systems within a large campus or enterprise environment and cloud environments (AWS, Azure)

• In depth knowledge of Network management and Network security, including firewalls, micro-segmentation and zero trust frameworks
• Ability to project future business needs and develops strategic business plan for expansion and installation of data network and telecommunications infrastructure using state of the art, leading edge multi-technology disciplines
• Ability to make recommendations for short- and long-term telecommunications capacity, configuration, and other planning to meet agency business needs
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills including, mentoring, coaching, presentation skills and the ability to interact with colleagues at all levels.
• Background with automating or streamlining processes, technical skills with scripting or automation tools is a plus.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Ability to interact professionally and effectively across all levels of an organization to resolve technical support issues
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply technical documentation
• Perform job duties with the utmost integrity and adherence to institutional policy
• Ability to maintain a reliable and methodical approach to the support and documentation of complex network systems

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 – $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: One location