Director of Network Engineering // Major University

Job Description

A major university located in Philadelphia is seeking a Director of Network Engineering to lead its Network and Telecom teams. This strategic leadership role will be responsible for shaping and maintaining the university’s critical network and telecommunications infrastructure across multiple campus locations. As a key member of the IT leadership team, you will oversee the planning, implementation, and management of secure, high-performance network systems, while ensuring alignment with institutional goals.

This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned IT leader with deep technical expertise in enterprise networking and telecom infrastructure, coupled with a proven track record of team leadership and strategic project delivery. You will be instrumental in driving key initiatives such as the architecture and rollout of a new telecom infrastructure, implementation of SD-WAN, and major network upgrades across the university.

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field; Master’s degree or MBA preferred

• 10+ years of experience in network engineering or IT infrastructure roles, with at least 5 years in a leadership or director-level position

• Demonstrated success leading enterprise-level network and telecommunications initiatives

• Strong technical expertise in core network technologies including LAN/WAN, wireless, firewalls, routing, switching, and SD-WAN

• Experience with telecom infrastructure planning and implementation (VoIP, SIP, PBX systems, etc.)

• Proficiency in network architecture, performance tuning, and capacity planning

• Deep understanding of network and telecom security best practices, including access control, segmentation, and threat mitigation

• Proven experience managing and mentoring technical teams, including performance management and staff development

• Skilled in vendor management and contract negotiation for networking and telecom services

• Experience with IT budgeting, forecasting, and developing cost-effective solutions

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders

Desired Skills & Experience

• Experience leading network and telecom operations in a higher education or large campus environment

• Familiarity with cloud networking and hybrid environments (Azure, AWS, etc.)

• Knowledge of high-availability design, business continuity, and disaster recovery for network infrastructure

• Experience with IT governance, compliance standards, and policy development

• Familiarity with network monitoring and management tools

• Ability to deliver strategic technology roadmaps and present to executive leadership

What You Will Be Doing

• Leading the university’s Network and Telecom teams, ensuring reliable and secure connectivity across all locations

• Overseeing the design, implementation, and maintenance of core network infrastructure, including switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless systems

• Managing high-priority projects such as telecom infrastructure architecture, SD-WAN deployment, and comprehensive network upgrades

• Collaborating with university leadership to align network strategies with institutional goals

• Creating and managing technology roadmaps, cost estimates, and network performance metrics

• Overseeing vendor relationships, service contracts, and procurement for network and telecom services

• Ensuring compliance with university policies, industry standards, and cybersecurity best practices

• Mentoring and evaluating staff performance, supporting professional growth, and maintaining a high-performing team

• Staying current with emerging technologies and making recommendations for continuous improvement

The Offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Generous PTO and university holidays

• 403(b) retirement plan with matching options

• Tuition assistance and professional development support

• Opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge technology initiatives in a dynamic university setting

Additional Notes

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis now and in the future.