Sr. Director of Network Services at Vanderbilt University

DescriptionPosition Summary:The Senior Director of Network Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Vanderbilt Universitys enterprise network environment. This position is accountable for ensuring the reliability scalability security and performance of all network services supporting academic research and administrative functions. The role oversees three teamsNetwork Design and Engineering Network Infrastructure and Network Operationsand collaborates closely with IT leadership to deliver a secure resilient and future-ready network architecture.The Senior Director serves as a key advisor on network strategy aligning technology initiatives with institutional priorities and compliance requirements. This position influences decision-making at the executive level and drives innovation to support advanced research high-performance computing and emerging technologies.About the Work Unit:Vanderbilt University Information Technology is a human-centric organization that advances our university by delivering innovative solutions and frictionless experiences through collaboration.Key Functions and Expected Performance:Team Leadership and Talent Development:Lead and supervise a team of employees including recruitment training and performance management.Acts as a player/coach guiding and performing work within the function.Develop and implement plans objectives and initiatives to meet organizational goals.Allocate financial and human resources efficiently and effectively to support operational activities.Monitor and evaluate team performance providing feedback and coaching to enhance individual and collective capabilities.Foster a positive work environment by promoting collaboration communication and employee engagement.Ensure compliance with Vanderbilt policies procedures and regulatory requirements.Collaborate with other departments or stakeholders to achieve cross-functional objectives and resolve issues effectively.Analyze data and metrics to identify opportunities for process improvement and operational optimization.Strategic Leadership and Planning:Develop and execute a comprehensive network strategy aligned with Vanderbilts mission technology roadmap and cybersecurity objectives.Anticipate future networking needs and emerging technologies to ensure scalability and innovation.Provide expertise on network architecture and design for advanced research and academic initiatives.Operational Oversight and Service Delivery:Ensure high availability reliability and performance of wired and wireless network services across campus.Establish and enforce standards for network architecture configuration and lifecycle management.Oversee incident response capacity planning and disaster recovery for network services.Risk Management and Compliance:Partner with the CISO and Cybersecurity teams to ensure network services align with regulatory requirements and institutional policies.Implement proactive measures for threat detection vulnerability management and compliance audits.Financial and Vendor Management:Manage budget for network hardware software and services.Collaborate with Chief Business Officer to negotiate and maintain vendor relationships for network equipment and managed services.Optimize cost structures while maintaining service quality and reliability.Supervisory Relationships:This position has supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Chief Information Security Officer.Education and Certifications:Bachelors degree is necessaryBachelors degree in Computer Science Information Technology Engineering or related field is preferredIndustry-recognized certifications such as ITIL CCNP CCIE or equivalent strongly preferredExperience and Skills:Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in network engineering and operations with at least 5 years in a leadership role is necessaryDemonstrated experience managing large-scale enterprise networks in a complex environment (preferably in higher education or research) is necessaryProven track record of leading multi-disciplinary teams and delivering mission-critical network services is necessaryDeep knowledge of enterprise networking technologies (LAN/WAN wireless SDN cloud networking) is necessaryStrong understanding of network security principles compliance frameworks and risk management is necessaryAbility to influence senior stakeholders and drive organizational change is necessaryExperience aligning technological initiatives with institutional priorities and long-term goals is necessaryExceptional ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences is necessaryDemonstrated commitment to VUITs Guiding Principles is necessaryInformation Technologys Guiding Principles:Trust and Respect- VUIT cultivates a community built on trust mutual respect and inclusivity where all members feel valued and supported. We prioritize honesty dignity empathy and a willingness to listen and understand.Professionalism- VUIT strives to maintain a culture of maturity accountability and integrity to best represent the University and self. Have a sense of humility and poise in your work and daily interactions.Collaborate- VUIT commits to being inclusive in solution design where we value sharing within and partnering across the university. We are intentional about including our colleagues and preventing silos.Bias-to-Action- VUIT is seen as a changemaker by exhibiting a decisive self-starter take-action approach with a willingness to make decisions without excessive deliberation. Personal initiative is recognized as a key part of the creative process.Communicate- Communication (written verbal and non-verbal) within and outside VUIT is open thoughtful welcoming clear proactive concise yet complete always honest and delivered kindly.Innovate- VUIT pledges to be bold and challenge the status quo by inspiring a culture of creativity that promotes growth and advancement for the university.Celebrate Each Other- We are intentional in showing appreciation for the work of others by valuing and acknowledging meaningful contributions at all levels of the organization.Optimize- VUIT will practice continuous and thoughtful optimization of our solutions and services to increase our human and technological capacity. Capacity drives innovation.Required Experience:Exec Key Skills Crisis Management,Marketing,Public Relations,Fundraising,Media Relations,Constant Contact,Strategic Planning,Social Media Management,Team Management,Public Speaking,Wordpress,Writing Skills Employment Type : Full-Time Experience: years Vacancy: 1