AVP Network and Collab Services

Tower•Laurel, MD

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The AVP, Network & Collaboration Services provides strategic and operational leadership for Tower Federal Credit Union’s enterprise network, collaboration platforms, and communication technologies. This role oversees the team responsible for designing, securing, and operating the network across headquarters, branches, data centers, and Azure cloud environments. Additionally, the role leads services supporting enterprise telephony, contact center platforms, and video conferencing. The AVP establishes a forward-looking strategy for resilient, scalable, and cloud-aligned network infrastructure while ensuring exceptional reliability and performance for employees and members. This position manages vendor relationships, circuit and telecom contracts, and departmental budgets. The AVP drives modernization initiatives, strengthens cybersecurity partnerships, ensures regulatory compliance, and fosters a service mindset aligned with a financial institution’s operational needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business, or related field
Eight to ten years of experience in enterprise networking, cloud networking (Azure), collaboration tools, or telecom infrastructure.
Five years of people leadership with multi-team or multi-functional scope
Or a combination of equivalent education and experience
Certifications such as Azure Administrator/Architect, CCNP, CompTIA Network+, ITIL, or equivalent.
Demonstrated success modernizing network and collaboration services in regulated or security-sensitive environments.
Proven ability to design and execute strategy, manage budgets, and deliver measurable outcomes.
Strong understanding of enterprise networking technologies (LAN/WAN/SD-WAN, routing, switching, wireless, firewalls, VPN, DNS, DHCP).
Ability to empathize with users and the ability to design solutions that reduce friction and elevate experience.
Deep knowledge of Azure networking (vNets, ExpressRoute, VPN gateways, NSGs, WAF, load balancers, hybrid connectivity).
Expertise in telephony and collaboration solutions (VoIP, SIP, call center platforms, video conferencing, unified communications).
Ability to design resilient architectures with strong security controls while maintaining operational usability.
Skill in using monitoring, alerting, and observability platforms for performance, capacity, and incident management.
Ability to build processes, SLAs, and continuous improvement frameworks.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business-aligned decisions and plans.
Knowledge of ITSM practices, asset management, and service management systems.
Has knowledge of and adheres to credit union policies and procedures and all regulations related to the bank Secrecy Act, the USA Patriot Act and OFAC.

Nice To Haves

Financial services or credit union experience preferred; familiarity with NCUA/FFIEC guidance and GLBA requirements.

Responsibilities

Builds and develops high-performing technical teams with expertise in networking, cloud connectivity, and collaboration platforms; fosters a service-oriented and security-focused culture.
Defines the enterprise network and collaboration strategy and roadmap aligned to organizational goals, digital initiatives, cloud adoption, and risk posture.
Oversees the design, implementation, and operations of LAN/WAN, SD-WAN, wireless, firewalls, VPN, and cloud networking (Azure).
Leads the design, governance, and operational oversight of telephony and the contact center platform.
Monitors emerging trends and evaluates new solutions through cost-benefit analysis to advance organizational capabilities.
Ensures reliability and high availability for all collaboration tools including video conferencing systems, meeting room technology, and unified communications.
Manages circuit contracts, telecom agreements, licensing, renewals, and technology lifecycle planning.
Oversees network monitoring, alerting, incident response, and performance optimization leveraging analytics and telemetry.
Maintains staffing plans that ensure customers always have access to timely, reliable support, regardless of time or day.
Develops and oversees departmental budgets to ensure alignment with organizational goals and financial accountability.
Ensures security controls and architectures follow zero-trust principles and support audit, compliance, and regulatory requirements.
Ensures departmental readiness and contribution to internal and external audits, including providing documentation, evidence and response for accountable areas.