"ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR/NETWORK"

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR/NETWORK

Position Number: S-3764

Position Summary:

Oversees the design, implementation, and lifecycle management of secure, high-availability campus networks supporting learning, research, housing, and operations. Develops forward-looking network strategies that anticipate growth and emerging technology needs, addressing complex performance issues while ensuring adequate capacity across campus cabling, switching, and carrier circuits. Provides leadership and technical direction for network design and implementation, working alongside network managers and installation staff to plan and validate cabling, fiber, and wireless installations that support the universitys long-term connectivity goals.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree, preferably in Computer Science or Information Systems.
• Five years of relevant job and management experience.
• Expert understanding of enterprise routing, switching, and WAN technologies, including dynamic routing protocols and high-availability connectivity across campus and cloud environments.
• Strong understanding of connectivity, authentication, and security considerations across diverse client platforms in a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environment.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain meaningful preventive maintenance schedules.
• Strong understanding of network performance management and QoS practices for supporting real-time and high-bandwidth applications on converged networks.
• Understanding of emerging automation and programmability practices for enterprise networking, including the use of APIs, templates, or scripts to integrate on-premises and cloud-managed systems.
• Demonstrated ability to apply exceptional troubleshooting and communication skills, as well as the ability to interact successfully with community members.
• Proven ability to lead teams within an ITIL-aligned service management framework, ensuring effective ticket handling, SLA adherence, major incident coordination, and a strong commitment to customer service excellence.
• Demonstrated positive interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and project a positive attitude.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate-level coursework in Computer Science or a related field.
• Specialized training in project management, cybersecurity, or IT service delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain accurate technical documentation, including network diagrams, procedures, and best-practice guidance for internal and cross-team communication.
• Experience designing and maintaining secure network architectures leveraging NGFW, VPN connectivity, and access segmentation aligned with zero-trust principles.
• Experience in architecting and managing data center network fabrics using VXLAN and spine-leaf topologies.
• Experience designing, implementing, and managing dual-stack (IPv4/IPv6) environments, including addressing strategy, routing, and migration planning.
• Proven ability to deliver results under tight deadlines and changing priorities.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity and compliance frameworks, including CMMC, NIST, CJIS, FERPA, HIPAA, GLBA, SOX, and PCI.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Directs daily operations of the network engineering team by analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards, and setting deadlines to ensure efficient service delivery.
• Collaborates with campus stakeholders to align network services with academic, administrative, and research priorities.
• Leads the planning, design, implementation, and monitoring of campus network architectures, coordinating with internal and external partners to define requirements, select platforms, and ensure alignment with institutional standards, strategic goals, and performance targets.
• Oversees network service operations end-to-end, engaging stakeholders, directing escalations, implementing durable fixes, and using monitoring data to detect issues early and plan capacity.
• Fosters a culture of continuous improvement, recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising staff.
• Reviews and evaluates requests from engineers, managers, and technicians for system modifications, ensuring adherence to the departments change management policies.
• Oversees vendor partnerships, coordinates contract renewals, and budget forecasting for network initiatives, balancing performance, cost, and long-term sustainability.
• Participates in enterprise disaster recovery and business continuity planning efforts, providing network expertise and ensuring alignment with security and systems teams.
• Leads design, configuration, and governance of network integrations with external organizations, cloud platforms, and SaaS providers, overseeing secure inter-organization connectivity including VPN/IPSec tunnels, private peering, and domain ownership validation.
• Ensures network documentation and standard operational procedures are maintained and accessible to support continuity, onboarding, and compliance with institutional policies.
• Pursues ongoing professional development to evaluate emerging technologies and recommend innovations that enhance network availability, reliability, and security in support of the universitys academic and operational mission.
• Ensure 247 network availability through staff coverage and escalation process

Employee Group: Professional & Administrative -Salary

Pay Range: $105,000 - $125,000

Division: President

Department: Network Services-OIT

Position Status: Regular

Employment Status: Full-Time

FTE: 1.0

Position Type: 12 month

Weekly Work Schedule: M-F, 8:00am - 5:00pm, occasional evenings and weekend as required

Location: Mount Pleasant, MI

Posting Ends:

Open Until Filled: Yes