Manager, Network Engineering

Provides broad operational oversight and leadership for respective areas and lines of business supported by designated service teams. Demonstrates excellent leadership, communication, analytical skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with others and adapt to changing circumstances. Serves as a member of the department leadership team and plays a key role in ensuring the organization runs smoothly and effectively. Processes, reviews, and initiates operational improvement. Partners with leaders to set strategic direction for university-wide information strategy, systems, and services, including the development of long-range operational goals and objectives. Addresses user needs, directs and mentors technical staff, and delivers technologies that help the community and the department achieve strategic goals while balancing available technical and financial resources. Manages assigned portions of the operating and/or capital budget and manages project budgets when needed. Leads project activities for the supported Lines of Business and/or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and leads/participates in contract negotiations for third-party software, services, and solutions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leads the design, deployment, and management of the organization’s LAN, WAN, and wireless networks. Oversees the configuration of routers, switches, firewalls, and other networking equipment. Ensures network infrastructure is scalable and supports future business growth and technological advancements. Responds constructively and innovatively to end-user requirements by understanding the business problem, technical requirements, and level of service the user expects. Establishes metrics for assessing the effectiveness of the program. Serves as a technical resource to projects, where appropriate. Develops project plans and resource estimates and directs project resources towards achievement of established deliverables.
• Manages, mentors, and develops a team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment. Sets team goals, conducts performance evaluations, and handles recruitment efforts to build a strong, knowledgeable team. Allocates resources to projects and ensures efficient team operations.
• Ensures continuous network performance monitoring and proactively resolves issues to minimize downtime. Implements preventive maintenance schedules for all network devices and infrastructure to ensure high availability. Ensures the network’s security by managing firewalls, VPNs, and other security measures to protect against unauthorized access. Works with the security team to implement and enforce network policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and organizational standards. Oversees the application of patches and upgrades to network systems.
• Provides leadership and coordination for technology projects at the request of the University senior leaders. Assumes the role of leadership in their absence, exercising direction and supervision of all departmental activities. Represents respective areas to University officials and external customers in the Director’s absence. Keeps abreast of trends and technical developments in the field by self-study, participating in job-related seminars, conferences, and courses, and liaising with vendors. Represents the University in organizations and initiatives at the local, state, and national levels, as appropriate.
• Participates in developing long-term network strategies, capacity planning, and budget forecasting for network infrastructure. Manages vendor relationships and contracts for network hardware, software, and services. Stays current with emerging technologies and recommends solutions to improve the organization’s network.
• Participates in on-call rotation and serves as escalation and primary communicator to department leadership and other executives. Assists the leaders in directing the technical team and coordinates the collection of labor and expense details in the case of emergencies or when a potential insurance claim exists. Serves as a leader during emergencies, providing leadership and guidance to a larger response team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Network Architecture/Engineering, Network Administration/Management, Leadership, Embedded Systems, Strategic Planning, Resolve Customer Issues, Capital Budgeting, Project/Program Management, Mentoring, Operational Improvement, * Bachelor’s degree in related discipline such as Computer Science, Business, Data Science, Engineering, Finance, Instructional Technology and 5 years of related experience required

• Master’s degree preferred
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 3 years of experience in a leadership capacity preferred
• Experience working with large enterprise-wide LAN/WAN environments in a university or hospital setting, budgeting, and managing large projects preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Expertise with technology in the respective area required
• Experience building programs that deliver long term success required
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly required
• Strong knowledge of networking protocols, systems, and technologies required
• Familiarity with network security principles and technologies required
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills required
• Ability to translate user needs into solution requirements required
• Ability to lead a team to produce valuable results required
• Ability to provide on-call support as needed required
• Ability to handle multiple tasks at one time and meet required deadlines. required
• Ability to contribute both individually and provide technical leadership as part of a team required
• Ability to interact with all levels of staff, as appropriate, to communicate and process communications from others on technical change required
• Ability to present technology in non-technical terms required
• Exemplary speaking and presentation skills required
• Exceptional customer service skills, including outstanding verbal and written communications and ability to diffuse difficult situation required

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job’s compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.