Director of Infrastructure Operations

The Director of Infrastructure Operations serves as the operational cornerstone for UCR's core technology foundation, overseeing the daily management, maintenance, and stability of both the campus network infrastructure and enterprise server environments. Working in close partnership with the Director of Infrastructure Engineering\u2014who drives the architecture and forward-looking design\u2014this role focuses purely on execution, operationalizing and sustaining best-in-class computing and network environments. By leveraging robust monitoring, automation, and standardized lifecycle processes, the Director ensures optimal performance, resiliency, and resource utilization across storage, virtualization, and data center operations. As the definitive leader for managing critical incidents and driving strict adherence to service level agreements, the Director champions our unified infrastructure vision by directly managing the supervisors of both the Network and Systems Operations teams, ensuring our technological foundation remains rock-solid. This position is classified as on-site. The full salary range for the Director, Infrastructure Operations is $114,300 - $220,900 annually. However, the pay scale for this position is up to $160,000 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs. Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, UCR is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.\n \nManages, through subordinate supervisors, the coordination of activities of a department with responsibility for results in terms of costs, methods and employees.Evaluation, installation and maintenance of all new and upgraded systems.Position may have responsibility for making recommended upgrades/changes to voice and data network systems.Reviews costs/benefits of installing in-house communications systems versus common carriers.Has billing responsibility to users, monitors cost effectiveness, and recommends upgrading of appropriate systems.Establishes and recommends changes to policies which affect the department.May develop long-range plans for communications systems.Communicates status of communications projects to senior management.May have responsibility for negotiating contracts with vendors.May assume project management responsibilities on initiatives relating to voice and data network systems for the campus, medical center or Office of the President.Develops and administers schedules and performance requirements; may have budget responsibility.Often must lead a cooperative effort.Develops and monitors operational and budget processes, staff FTE, finance, human resources and space planning.Has responsibility for results, including costs, methods and staffing.May be called upon to initiate changes by modifying and altering existing operating procedures and methods.\n \nRequires in-depth knowledge of own area of functional responsibility, with a broad knowledge of the IT organization.Has thorough knowledge of voice and data network systems.Must have knowledge of operating policies and procedures and the ability to determine a course of action based on these guidelines.Thorough knowledge of subject area sufficient for strategic planning, technology assessment and direction.Demonstrated skill in managing technical staff.Experience in the management of ongoing technology infrastructure acquisition and expansion, to include the identification and integration of suitable emerging technologies.Thorough knowledge of technical concepts and basic operating principles of data communications, computer hardware, vendor IT products, and software.Ability to understand the process involved to adapt, integrate, and modify existing programs or vendor-supplied products for use within the technical environment.Experienced in leading change management activities and managing their impact across the unit or department.Experience of analyzing buy vs. build procurement for products for effective and efficient technology use.Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively present technical topics to individuals and groups with potentially varied levels of technical sophistication.Strong knowledge and understanding of service delivery principles.Advanced knowledge of enterprise IT operations, encompassing both complex network ecosystems (LAN/WAN, data center routing, wireless) and core systems administration (virtualization, enterprise storage, directory services). Ability to develop positive working relationships and a strong rapport with team members; demonstrated experience in leading a multi-functional team.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills required to conduct thorough Root-Cause Analysis (RCA) and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that prevent recurring outages.Demonstrated leadership and management skills to build and maintain high-performing, resilient technical teams, including proven experience directing and evaluating subordinate supervisors. Broad knowledge of IT Service Management (ITSM) principles, incident response protocols, and SLA enforcement within a large-scale, 24/7 production environment. Demonstrated ability to effectively navigate, build trust, and collaborate within a complex, decentralized university or enterprise IT environment.\n \nExcellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively present technical topics to individuals and groups with potentially varied levels of technical sophistication. Experienced in leading change management activities and managing their impact across the unit or department. Advanced knowledge of enterprise IT operations, encompassing both complex network ecosystems (LAN/WAN, data center routing, wireless) and core systems administration (virtualization, enterprise storage, directory services). Strong knowledge and understanding of service delivery principles. Demonstrated leadership and management skills to build and maintain high-performing, resilient technical teams, including proven experience directing and evaluating subordinate supervisors. Has thorough knowledge of voice and data network systems. Thorough knowledge of technical concepts and basic operating principles of data communications, computer hardware, vendor IT products, and software. Broad knowledge of IT Service Management (ITSM) principles, incident response protocols, and SLA enforcement within a large-scale, 24/7 production environment. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills required to conduct thorough Root-Cause Analysis (RCA) and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that prevent recurring outages. Thorough knowledge of subject area sufficient for strategic planning, technology assessment and direction. Demonstrated skill in managing technical staff. Ability to understand the process involved to adapt, integrate, and modify existing programs or vendor-supplied products for use within the technical environment. Experience of analyzing buy vs. build procurement for products for effective and efficient technology use. Ability to develop positive working relationships and a strong rapport with team members; demonstrated experience in leading a multi-functional team. Must have knowledge of operating policies and procedures and the ability to determine a course of action based on these guidelines. Experience in the management of ongoing technology infrastructure acquisition and expansion, to include the identification and integration of suitable emerging technologies. Requires in-depth knowledge of own area of functional responsibility, with a broad knowledge of the IT organization.Demonstrated ability to effectively navigate, build trust, and collaborate within a complex, decentralized university or enterprise IT environment.