Director, Technical Services (Rider University) (Aruba Networks, Google Workspace Enterprise)

Ellucian•Lawrence Township, NJ

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

While this a hybrid position with opportunity to work remotely, several days a week are required at Rider’s Lawrenceville, NJ location. The Director, Technical Services at Rider University provides strategic leadership and oversight for technology infrastructure and support operations. Reporting to the Chief Information Officer (CIO), this role leads a team with responsibility for: networking, servers, storage, telecommunications, Google Workspace Enterprise, Microsoft cloud services, MDM tools, and related technical operations. The Director works closely with the CIO and other institutional leaders to ensure that technology services are reliable, secure, scalable, and aligned with institutional priorities and the academic mission. This position also serves as a key escalation point for complex technical issues, oversees technical projects, manages budgets, and ensures business continuity. The successful candidate will be a technology leader in the department, providing support, direction, mentorship, and best practices across multiple teams.

Requirements

7 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in information technology, including significant management or leadership responsibilities; additional experience in lieu of associated education is acceptable.
Demonstrated experience leading and developing technical teams and managing enterprise infrastructure operations in a complex organizational environment.
Proven experience in implementing and monitoring complex technical infrastructure projects; wireless overhaul and transformation projects strongly preferred.
Strong knowledge of enterprise networking (Aruba), virtualization, servers, storage, Wi-Fi, telecommunications, MDM systems, endpoint management, and related infrastructure technologies.
Strong familiarity with Google Workspace Enterprise, including Google Drive, Gmail, and Administrative tools.
Strong familiarity with Microsoft enterprise technologies, including Active Directory, Office 365, and Azure.
Experience with AI tools, security, and governance.
Strong communication, presentation, organizational, decision-making, and time-management skills, with the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, and technical teams.
Strong customer-service orientation, sound judgment, and the ability to manage urgent issues, competing priorities, and off-hours escalations.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in an institution of higher education strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and management for technical services operations, including networking, wired and wireless connectivity, servers, storage, telecommunications, Google Workspace Enterprise, Microsoft Enterprise tools, Active Directory and connected identity services, cloud technologies, and related enterprise infrastructure.
Lead, supervise, and develop technical staff, including systems/network administrators and other assigned technical personnel; assign work, set priorities, monitor performance, and support professional growth.
Work directly with the CIO and other leaders to maintain strategic direction for technical operations, develop annual and multi-year tactical plans, assess institutional technology needs, establish standard operating procedures, and recommend improvements and upgrades.
Work with the CIO to prepare and manage budgets for technical services and infrastructure areas, support procurement decisions, present capital recommendations, and evaluate software and hardware requests using cost-benefit analysis and compatibility with the existing environment.
Oversee day-to-day production issues, serve as an escalation point for urgent or complex problems across teams, coordinate staff assignments, and ensure quality and efficiency in technical operations and service delivery.
Develop and implement practices, policies, procedures, standards, and documentation based on industry best practices to support day-to-day operations, asset management, maintenance, change management, and business continuity.
Lead or oversee technology projects, including infrastructure upgrades, construction and renovation technology work, and other implementation efforts; provide project guidance and oversight to ensure standards for quality, timelines, and outcomes are met.
Lead formal change management processes to coordinate technology upgrades, maintenance activities, and service impacts across institutional departments and business units.
Direct and oversee backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning, documentation, and testing for critical systems.
Work with vendors, contractors, and service providers to secure value-added products and services, solve operational problems, and support effective implementation and ongoing service delivery.
Evaluate and strengthen the institution’s infrastructure and data security posture; recommend and support security improvements, controls, and risk-reduction measures.
Research industry trends, benchmarks, and best practices, and identify opportunities to improve infrastructure, service quality, resilience, and support for the institution’s mission.
Be an active part of a dynamic technology leadership team and promote collaborative environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, and vision
Flexible time off
Thrive Flex Lifestyle Account (LSA) that allows you to contribute towards your health, financial or learning interests
401k w/ match & BrightPlan - to help you save for the future
Parental Leave
5 charitable days to support the community that supports us
Telemedicine
Wellness
Headspace Care (mental health)
Wellbeats (virtual fitness classes)
RethinkCare & Wellthy– caregiver support
Diversity and inclusion programs which provide access to internal employee resource groups
Employee referral bonuses to encourage the addition of great new people to the team
Education Assistance Program
Professional development opportunities