Network Engineering Manager

The University of Southern California (USC) Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) is seeking a Manager of Network Engineering in Security & Cloud and with an exceptional commitment to service excellence to join our team. 

As the Network Engineering Manager , you will be an integral leader within the Infrastructure Services team while reporting to the Director of Network Engineering.  This is a full-time position eligible all USC Benefits + Perks available to its tenure such as comprehensive medical coverage, generous PTO and retirement matching, and free tuition.  

This Network Engineering Manager will support the overall architecture, design, implementation, and operations of the campus network and cloud infrastructure.  The Manager will deliver leading-edge expertise to manage critical incidents and problems, and delivers consistent and reliable network operations including DDI, Firewall, VPN and load balancing.  The Manager supports governance for the network, driving the implementation of standards, procedures, and quality measures. The Manager will also be a people manager and coach, responsible for developing and performance managing a small team which may include contractors and student workers.  As part of the leadership team for Infrastructure Services, the Manager models and cultivates ITS culture, values, and behaviors.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate for the position of Network Engineering Manager must meet the following qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

• 6 years of experience in information technology.

• 3 years of experience in a management or leadership role.

• Direct, hands-on experience with network transport, design, planning and implementation.

• In-depth understanding of routing protocols — LAN and WAN, Ethernet VPN (EVPN), Dark Fiber and Ethernet delivery, firewall technologies, client/server architectures, system design, QoS, load balancers, forward/reverse proxies, converged storage, and converged voice-to-administrative network services.

• Experience with firewalls and encryptions, and DNS, DHCP, and other routing and switching fundamentals.

• Experience with data centers, email or network consolidation, and/or other enterprise-wide technical consolidations.

• Demonstrated experience developing positive working relationships, managing high-performing, multifunctional teams with strong collaboration, communication, and technical documentation skills.

• In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication and accountability.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Exceptional candidates for the position of Network Engineering Manager will also bring the following qualifications or more:

• A bachelor’s degree in either Business Administration, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems or related fields.

• 10 years of experience in information technology.

• 5 years of experience in a management or leadership role.

• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) or equivalent certifications.

• Proven experience supporting large-scale network implementations and upgrades.

• Demonstrated experience delivering reliable, quality network service within a higher education environment or large private-sector organization with federated operations.

• Exemplary communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present the business side of technical topics to non-technical audiences, and persuasively and effectively interact with various stakeholders and diverse individuals and groups.

SCOPE OF THE ROLE

The Network Engineering Manager will:

• Drives successful day-to-day operations of the network engineering staff, managing network security and design and enterprise architecture, and manages strategic initiatives (e.g., routing protocols, LAN/WAN technologies, network security and management tools).

• Tracks and reports network engineering metrics. Defines standard processes for the design, implementation, maintenance, and reporting of network operations, driving continuous improvement, and proactively managing critical incidents and problems.

• Facilitates effective governance by leading regular team and committee meetings, implementing standards, procedures, and quality measures. Manages the implications of security and compliance guidelines by embedding university policies and procedures into work plans and workflows. Participates in governance boards, councils, meetings, and campus-wide technology initiatives to understand current and future business needs.

• Provides vision and high-level direction for infrastructure services within the larger context of the ITS and USC environments. Builds and maintains strong relationships with ITS leaders, customers, partners, and stakeholders.

• Works closely with ITS leadership to identify, implement, and support cost effective, leading solutions for all aspects of network engineering, maintaining currency with industry innovations. Provides thought leadership around process optimization, and administers the department budget by creating, planning, monitoring, reconciling, and directing resources.

• Actively drives the process of embedding ITS values and behaviors. Leads by example, demonstrating ethics and high accountability to create a culture of trust and transparency. Accountable for the development of team members by helping them set and achieve goals for their career growth. Fosters an inclusive environment that values team member differences, creating a sense of belonging and appreciation. Drives best-in-class customer service to the university through effective team member engagement.

THE TEAM

The ITS vision aligns strategy, business, and services; affirms ITS cultural values; empowers cross-functional teamwork; embraces world-class best practices; and promotes innovation, excellence, agility, and efficiency. To achieve this vision, ITS is committed to providing a resilient modern technology infrastructure that delivers the performance necessary to meet the demands of a growing customer base. By training in the latest technologies for its highly productive and motivated workforce and providing outstanding customer experience and technology services, ITS aligns with the university’s mission to provide exceptional learning opportunities for students. ITS is creating a workplace where employees can develop cutting-edge skills, take pride in the services they provide, and have access to the roles and career paths that align with their abilities and potential. We are looking for top talent to join us on our journey.

ITS CULTURE

USC’s ITS organization represents a diverse and talented team committed to supporting a collaborative culture and delivering secure and innovative IT services, core to the mission of USC. ITS values accountability, excellence, and commitment to exceptional customer experience. ITS strives for a supportive and inclusive culture that encourages employees to do their best work every day and where individuals are recognized and celebrated for their contributions.

ABOUT USC

USC is the leading private research university in Los Angeles—a global center for arts, technology, and international business. With more than 49,500 students, we are located primarily in Los Angeles and various US and global satellite locations. As the largest private employer in Los Angeles, responsible for $8 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic and professional schools and administrative units. As a USC employee and member of the Trojan Family—the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work—you will enjoy excellent benefits, including a variety of well-being programs designed to help individuals achieve work-life balance.

Join the USC ITS team and work as a trusted partner in shaping an environment of innovation and excellence.

The annual base salary range for this position is $185,000 to $200,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Work Experience: 6 years of experience in information technology 3 years of experience in a management or leadership role. Minimum Field of Expertise: Direct, hands-on experience with network transport, design, planning and implementation. In-depth understanding of routing protocols — LAN and WAN, Ethernet VPN (EVPN), Dark Fiber and Ethernet delivery, firewall technologies, client/server architectures, system design, QoS, load balancers, forward/reverse proxies, converged storage, and converged voice-to-administrative network services. Experience with firewalls and encryptions, and DNS, DHCP, and other routing and switching fundamentals. Experience with data centers, email or network consolidation, and/or other enterprise-wide technical consolidations. Demonstrated experience developing positive working relationships, managing high-performing, multifunctional teams with strong collaboration, communication, and technical documentation skills.