IT Networks Manager

Job Description

The Manager, IT Networks is a key leadership role responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, and optimization of the organization's entire network infrastructure. This position leads a team of network engineers and administrators, ensuring network reliability, performance, and security across all locations and environments.

The Manager, IT Networks plays a crucial role in network strategy, capacity planning, and supporting business initiatives through robust and scalable network solutions.

Key Benefits:

-$0 Deductible health insurance with low-cost premiums

-Profit Sharing

-401k with market-leading employer match

-Dental and vision coverage

-Paid Time Off: 18 days starting in year one

-Paid holidays

-Tuition Reimbursement

-Additional company-paid benefits includes Short Term/Long Term -and Life Insurance

Key Responsibilities:

• Network Strategy & Architecture:
• Develop, implement, and maintain the organization's network architecture strategy aligned with business objectives and growth.
• Lead the design and deployment of local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), wireless networks, and data center networks.
• Evaluate and recommend new network technologies, solutions, and best practices to enhance performance, security, and efficiency.
• Conduct network capacity planning to ensure scalability and meet future demands.
• Team Leadership & Management:
• Lead, mentor, coach, and develop a team of network engineers and administrators.
• Manage daily team activities, assign tasks, and ensure timely completion of projects and operational duties.
• Conduct performance reviews, identify training needs, and foster continuous learning and professional growth within the team.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and problem-solving.
• Network Operations & Maintenance:
• Oversee the day-to-day operation, monitoring, and maintenance of all network devices (routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, access points).
• Ensure high availability, performance, and reliability of network services.
• Manage network configurations, perform regular backups, and ensure disaster recovery readiness for network infrastructure.
• Implement and manage network monitoring tools to proactively identify and resolve issues.
• Lead network incident response, problem resolution, and root cause analysis.
• Network Security:
• Collaborate closely with the Information Security team to design and enforce network security policies and controls.
• Manage and configure firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), VPNs, and other network security appliances.
• Oversee vulnerability management, patching, and hardening of network devices.
• Ensure network compliance with internal policies and external regulatory requirements (e.g., PCI DSS, HIPAA).
• Project Management & Implementation:
• Lead network-related projects from initiation to completion, including planning, resource allocation, budgeting, and execution.
• Coordinate with other IT teams and business units to ensure seamless project delivery and minimal disruption.
• Manage external vendors and service providers for network-related projects and services.
• Vendor & Budget Management:
• Assist in the development and management of the network budget, optimizing costs while ensuring high-quality service.
• Manage relationships with network equipment vendors and internet service providers (ISPs).
• Negotiate contracts and service level agreements (SLAs) with network vendors.
• Documentation & Standards:
• Ensure comprehensive and accurate documentation of network configurations, diagrams, processes, and procedures.
• Develop and maintain network standards and best practices.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent1 practical experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in network engineering and operations.
• Extensive hands-on experience with enterprise-grade routing and switching protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VLANs, Spanning Tree).
• In-depth knowledge and experience with leading firewall technologies (e.g., Palo Alto, Cisco ASA/FTD, Fortinet).
• Strong understanding of VPN technologies (IPsec, SSL VPN), network segmentation, and network access control (NAC).
• Proven experience with wireless network design and management (e.g., Fortinet, Cisco Meraki, Aruba, Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers).
• Familiarity with cloud networking concepts (e.g., AWS VPCs, Azure VNets) and hybrid cloud connectivity.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing technical team.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize effectively in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Industry certifications such as CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) or CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert), JNCIP/JNCIE (Juniper), PCNSE (Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer), or equivalent.
• ITIL Foundation certification.
• Experience with network automation and scripting (e.g., Python, Ansible).
• Knowledge of SD-WAN technologies.
• Experience in a highly regulated industry (e.g., finance, healthcare).

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• Typically, an office environment with occasional travel to remote sites.
• May require on-call availability and occasional work outside of normal business hours to support critical network incidents or planned maintenance.
• Ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds occasionally.

EOE/M/F/Disabled/Veteran/DFSP