"Manager - Data Center Architecture"

The Manager of Data Center Architecture is responsible for the strategic architecture, design, and modernization of Michigan Medicine's on-premise and traditional data center infrastructure. This role leads the development of scalable, secure, and high-performing infrastructure solutions that support the institution's clinical, research, and administrative needs. The Manager of Data Center Architecture collaborates with IT leadership, security teams, and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure alignment with enterprise IT strategy while preparing for future cloud integration and hybrid models.

Reporting to the Director of Data Center and Cloud Architecture, this position provides architectural leadership for physical Data Centers and Colocation Facilities, networks, firewall and VPN infrastructure, ensuring high availability, security, and operational efficiency.

Division Overview

The Cloud Center of Excellence (CcoE) at Michigan Medicine is a strategic division dedicated to driving cloud adoption, governance, and operational excellence across the organization. The CcoE serves as the central hub for cloud expertise, ensuring the secure, efficient, and scalable use of cloud technologies to support clinical, research, and administrative initiatives.

With a focus on innovation, best practices, and compliance, the CcoE is responsible for establishing cloud strategies, architecture standards, and operational frameworks that align with the institution's mission. The division collaborates closely with IT, security, and business stakeholders to optimize cloud environments, enabling high-performance computing, data analytics, and mission-critical applications including the management and optimization of Epic HER and Sectra PACS in the public cloud.

By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, automation, and cloud-native solutions, the CcoE ensures that Michigan Medicine remains at the forefront of digital transformation, delivering reliable, cost-effective, and cutting-edge cloud services that enhance patient care, research advancements, and operational efficiencies.

Architecture Strategy and Design

• Manage the development and implementation of a strategic roadmap for data center architecture, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and IT best practices.
• Design and oversee the implementation of scalable, resilient, and secure infrastructure solutions for the on-premise data center.
• Define architecture standards, frameworks, and methodologies to guide the evolution of traditional data center technologies and their integration with cloud environments.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies, platforms, and methodologies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery.

Data Center Infrastructure Management

• Provide architectural oversight for physical data centers, colocation facilities, data center networks, and Internet connections, ensuring optimized performance and resource utilization.
• Establish and maintain best practices for high availability, disaster recovery, and business continuity within the data center.
• Collaborate with other infrastructure teams (Windows, Linux, Storage) to design on-prem and private cloud infrastructure solutions.
• Manage and forecast the demand for data center resources such as data center cabinets, power utilization, and report on it regularly.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with the Manager of Cloud Architecture to develop hybrid cloud strategies that facilitate seamless migration from on-premises to cloud environments.
• Collaborate with IT security teams to ensure compliance with security standards, regulatory requirements (e.g., HIPAA, NIST), and risk management practices.
• Partner with application, networking, and operations teams to design and implement scalable and high-performance solutions for critical workloads.
• Engage with vendors and service providers to evaluate emerging technologies, negotiate contracts, and oversee service level agreements (SLAs).

Technical Governance and Standards

• Develop and enforce technical governance policies to maintain consistency, reliability, and security across data center architectures.
• Conduct regular architecture reviews and performance assessments to ensure alignment with best practices and business needs.
• Lead initiatives for capacity planning, lifecycle management, and resource optimization within the data center.

Team Leadership and Development

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams, ensuring alignment with architectural goals and strategic initiatives.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and process improvement within the data center architecture team.
• Support the professional growth of team members by facilitating training, certifications, and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related field.
• 7 to 10 years of increasingly responsible experience in the operation and management of IT services.
• 5 years in a managerial/supervisory or team lead role overseeing 5 or more direct reports.
• Proven expertise working in enterprise data centers with a detail understanding of data center electrical and hvac systems.
• Strong experience with Cisco data center networking including Nexus NDFC and Firepower.
• Experience with automation tools, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and DevOps principles for infrastructure management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of compute, storage, networking, and security best practices for on-premise data centers.
• In-depth understanding of Windows, Unix, and Linux operating systems within an enterprise environment.
• In-depth understanding of SAN and NAS Storage within an enterprise environment.
• In-depth understanding of VMware, OpenShift, and other virtualization/container platforms.
• Strong understanding of hybrid cloud models and integration between on-premise and cloud-based infrastructures (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
• Knowledge of ITIL best practices for IT service management.

We offer a benefits package that includes comprehensive training and career development opportunities, generous retirement savings plans, ample paid time off, and a wealth of family care support: https://careers.umich.edu/benefits