Director, Network and Data Center Services

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Yale ITS is seeking a senior technical leader to lead Network Engineering, Network Operations, and Data Center Services—responsible for the design, reliability, and evolution of Yale’s campus‑wide communication and hosting infrastructure.

This role combines engineering authority, operational accountability, and transformation leadership, with responsibility for:

• A software-defined campus network

• A mandate to improve network operations through automation, observability, and discipline

• Two capacity‑constrained, at‑risk on‑prem data centers, a nearby co-lo and a cloud interconnection co-lo

This leader will drive end‑to‑end ownership of core network infrastructure, ensuring Yale’s network and data center platforms are resilient, scalable, and operationally excellent.

Key Responsibilities

Network Strategy, Engineering & Transformation

• Manage the architecture, engineering, and lifecycle management of Yale’s software-defined campus network

• Define standards for: performance, resiliency, segmentation, and security

• Drive modernization toward automated, code-defined network operations and integrated observability and telemetry

Network Operations Transformation

• Own 24x7 network operations, including availability, performance, and incident response

• Lead transformation of network operations tooling transitioning from LogicMonitor / Cisco-native tools → next-gen platforms (e.g., Datadog)

• Establish disciplined operational practices around monitoring, alerting, escalation, and incident management

• Improve key metrics and publish live network data for ITS leadership: MTTR, uptime, latency, incident recurrence

Data Center Strategy & Execution

• Own the end-to-end roadmap for Yale’s data centers, addressing: Capacity constraints; Operational risk; Lack of appropriate resiliency and DR capability

• Define and execute a multi-year strategy across: On-prem, colo, and cloud integration; Improved resiliency; Scalable capacity to support research and enterprise growth

Resiliency & Reliability Engineering

• Embed resiliency by design across network and data center services by eliminating single points of failure and ensure network failover and recovery capabilities are validated

• Drive alignment with Disaster Recovery (RTO/RPO) targets

Network Automation

Champion automation across infrastructure operations: Network automation; Data center workflows; Configuration and lifecycle management

• Partner with Automation Engineering to shift toward Infrastructure as Code an reduce manual intervention and operational risk

Observability & Tooling Integration

• Build a unified observability model across networks, data centers, and facilities/campus operations

• Ensure monitoring tools provide end to end network visibility with actionable alerts integrated with incident management

Team Leadership & Culture

• Lead and develop network engineering, operations, and data center teams while building a culture of ownership and accountability, engineering rigor, and an automation-first mindset

• Improve team capabilities in software-defined networking, automation and observability, and modern operations practices

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence

• Work closely with core infrastructure engineering, TechOps, and Information security

• Navigate a federated organization, influencing without direct authority

• Align network and data center strategy with broader IT Stability initiatives, faculty and research needs.

Key Qualifications

• Proven leadership of large scale network and infrastructure environments (campus or enterprise, with hybrid cloud environments)

• Deep technical expertise in: Enterprise networking (LAN/WAN, SDN, campus networks, large Cisco implementation); Data center infrastructure (power, cooling, compute integration); Observability and monitoring platforms

• Experience leading 24x7 network operations environments and major transformation initiatives (tooling, architecture, operating model)

• Strong understanding of resiliency engineering, DR design and ITSM processes (incident, change, problem management)

Leadership Capabilities

• Technical authority with credibility across engineering and operations

• Execution-focused leader with strong delivery discipline

• Ability to hold teams accountable while developing talent

• Strong communicator translating complexity into clear direction

• Proven ability to influence across organizational boundaries

Success criteria for the ideal candidate are a highly available, observable resilient network, reduced risk of our data center fabric, predictable metric-drive network ops, reduced toil and increased automation. A team that reduce toil while embracing automation and exhibit a strong engineering culture.

Required Skills and Abilities:
1. Comprehensive analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
2. Comprehensive interpersonal, written, communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
3. Expert ability to run meetings with senior leaders/stakeholders.
4. Proven ability to lead and manage large staff.
5. Proven ability to manage multiple/complex projects, meeting deadlines and budget.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Plan and manage IT systems and services within a specific department. 2. Provide operational direction to ensure departmental goals align with university objectives. 3. Collaborate with senior university leadership for workforce planning. 4. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and best practices. 5. Develop relationships with technology providers and peer institutions. 6. Ensure the professional growth and development of departmental staff. 7. Implement department-level policies and strategies in alignment with university-wide directives. Required Education and Experience Bachelor’s Degree in related field and 10 years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Skills and Abilities Comprehensive analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Comprehensive interpersonal, written, communication, presentation, and organizational skills. Expert ability to run meetings with senior leaders/stakeholders. Proven ability to lead and manage large staff. Proven ability to manage multiple/complex projects, meeting deadlines and budget.

Job Posting Date

08/13/2026

Job Category

Manager

Bargaining Unit

NON

Compensation Grade

GS-5

Compensation Grade Profile

GS-5r

Salary Range

$165,000.00 - $247,500.00

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff

Work Model

Hybrid

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.