Executive Director of Telecommunications and Network Services
About The Position
The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity. The Department of Information Services operates as a central administrative division under the Finance and Administration umbrella, dedicated to managing the foundational technology infrastructure that supports both the Museum and the School of the Art Institute. With a dedicated staff of 52 members, the department’s core operations include technical support, systems administration, information security, academic computing, web services, network services, and telecommunications. Provides executive leadership and strategic oversight for the planning, development, and management of telecommunications and network services across all Art Institute of Chicago facilities, ensuring robust and scalable connectivity for both the museum and school. This role will report to the VP of Information Services and will manage the Director of Network Services, the IT infrastructure engineer and the telecommunications technician.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical field preferred.
- 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in IT infrastructure, telecommunications, network services, or a related field, ideally in a higher education or nonprofit environment.
- Experience with structured cabling system design, standards, and best practices required.
- Experience with project management and communicating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders required.
- Knowledge of network, telecommunications, and infrastructure technologies and best practices.
- Strong leadership and communication skills.
- Strong project management, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to high-quality customer service.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with network routing, switching, and wireless technologies preferred.
- Experience with server hardware and Linux operating systems preferred.
- Experience with cybersecurity systems and practices, including monitoring, log aggregation, and incident response preferred.
- Experience with phone system administration, provisioning, and maintenance preferred.
- Knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems supporting data centers and equipment rooms preferred.
Responsibilities
- Provides strategic and operational oversight of campus network, telecommunications, wireless, Internet, VPN, firewall, data center, server, and related infrastructure and services.
- Oversees the organization’s Google Workspace environment and core network services, including DNS, DHCP, RADIUS, LDAP, SSO, and SSL certificate management.
- Partners with Information Security to ensure network infrastructure is secure, monitored, reliable, and resilient.
- Oversees campus data centers, equipment rooms, and associated electrical and mechanical infrastructure.
- Manages Internet, telecommunications, phone system, and related vendor relationships and contracts, including service levels, licensing, and emergency communications requirements.
- Develops and implements strategic plans for telecommunications and network services, including budgets, timelines, and progress reporting.
- Provides strategic oversight of structured low-voltage cabling infrastructure, including fiber and copper systems, and establishes institutional standards for physical infrastructure.
- Oversees cabling projects, including development of specifications and bid packages, vendor selection, contract administration, and coordination with architects, engineers, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
- Oversees outdoor wireless systems, electronic people-counting systems, and other specialized network infrastructure.
- Develops and manages operating and capital budgets for telecommunications and network services and expansion.
- Evaluates emerging technologies, service providers, and infrastructure needs and makes recommendations aligned with institutional priorities.
- Provides strategic leadership, direction, and development for the Telecommunications and Network Services teams.
- Communicates system status, policies, and service enhancements to the campus community and represents Information Services in institutional planning and capital projects.
- Performs other duties and participates in special projects as assigned.
Benefits
- Competitive, comprehensive benefits package
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
