Senior Director, Network Services at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Harvard University


Position Title: Senior Director, Network Services

Req ID: 67423BR

School or Unit: Harvard University Information Technology

Description: Job Summary

Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of Information Technology professionals committed to understanding our users and devoted to making it easier for faculty, students, and staff to teach, research, learn, and work through the effective use of information technology. We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines - and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique technology landscape and service-focused environment. If you are a technically proficient, nimble, user-focused and accountable IT professional who also connects with the importance of collaborating well in a team environment we are looking for you!

Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is seeking a strategic and visionary Senior Director to lead its Network Services. This individual will be responsible for ensuring the technological currency and financial sustainability of the University's network services. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in design and architecture, driving operational excellence and reliability, managing financial models and service chargebacks, overseeing system life cycles, and building collaborative teams.

Position Description

Core Roles and Responsibilities:

Leadership:

• Lead and oversee the Network teams, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and fostering a collaborative and inclusive team culture
• Challenge current processes and operating models and present alternative analyses objectively
• Develop a clear, long-term strategic plan for network services, aligned with the organization's goals
• Regularly review and update the plan to account for technological advancements and changing organizational need
• Develop and implement a robust training plan to ensure the team is equipped with future-ready skills.
• Invest in continuous professional development and training for team members ensuring that there is ample skill development in critical service delivery areas.
• Encourage innovation and creative problem-solving within the team.
• Work collaboratively with peers across the organization to understand business needs and ensure the network supports the University mission.

Financial Management:

• Lead Network service advisory groups with University stakeholders
• Evaluate, recommend, and socialize needed changes to service financial models and identify opportunities for service adoption.
• Continuously monitor and manage budgets, ensuring financial sustainability, while implementing necessary cost-effective measures that do not compromise service standards.
• Work in partnership with the HUIT Vendor Management Office (VMO) to negotiate key contracts and maintain strong vendor relationships.

Service Excellence:

• Ensure the network infrastructure is available, reliable, resilient, and efficient with a focus on continuous improvement
• Regularly review and update security protocols to address emerging threats.
• Develop and implement standardized operating procedures and best practices.
• Establish and adhere to high standards of service delivery ensuring that service changes are properly vetted and follow-up to service disruption is closely managed.
• Implement robust metrics and KPIs to measure and improve service performance.
• Prioritize customer satisfaction and proactive issue resolution.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior leadership and stakeholders, clearly prioritizing areas of need and mapping plans to closely align to feedback.
• Develop and Support disaster recovery and business continuity plans to ensure Network reliability

Basic Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive, experience in the network including at least 7+ years in team management.
  • Experience building and leading teams of at least 50 people.
• Proven experience leading large-scale IT service transformation projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets including leading annual financial planning activities for fee-for-service lines of business.
• Strong background in modern network and telecommunications design and architecture.
• Proficiency with HPE/Aruba wireless Central networking and Cisco technologies.
• Experience implementing a telecommunications transformation to modern Collaboration platforms, such as Zoom Phone or Microsoft Teams Phone.
• Availability for operational escalation and crisis management.
• Exceptional strategic planning and communication skills.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Required:

• Proven ability to implement continuous improvement measures in IT services.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to challenge current operating models and present objective alternatives.
• Commitment to service excellence and accountability in network services.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree and/or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or a related field
• Experience in an academic or research institution.

Working Conditions

• Certifications in relevant technologies (e.g., Cisco, Aruba).

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting.

Additional Information

Please provide a cover letter with your application.

Please note:

• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening.
• We are unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship.
• This position has a 180-day orientation and review period.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Accessibility:

Harvard University welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request an accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact our University Disability Resources Department.

About Us

More about HUIT:

Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is responsible for the strategy, planning, and delivery of information technology across the University. Our mission is to assure Harvard's leadership in IT. We strive to make it easier for faculty, students, and staff to teach, research, learn and work through the effective use of information technology. HUIT's core values are User Focused, Collaborative, Innovative and Open.

HUIT's core values are:

• User-focused

• Collaborative

• Innovative

• Open

IT Academy (designed for IT Staff):

HUIT's IT Academy aims to enable each IT staff person to grow professionally and become a trusted partner to her or his team. The IT Academy is built on the belief that every IT staff member across the University (including technology employees at each school and campus) can grow in her or his area of expertise as well as building strong people and project management skills. Learn more here: https://itacademy.harvard.edu/

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)

#LI-BT1

Department Office Location: USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code: 384061 IT Manager

Job Function: Information Technology

Work Format: Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub Unit: ------------

Salary Grade: 061

Department: Technology Partners Services


Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status: Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity


Commitment to Equity Diversity Inclusion and Belonging: Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EOE Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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