Network Operations Lead

Network & Infrastructure Operations Lead
Hybrid | 3 Days Onsite

Role Overview
Our client is seeking a technically strong Network Operations Lead to play a hands-on leadership role supporting the stability, security, and evolution of our enterprise infrastructure. This position is designed for a leader who remains deeply engaged in the technology-approximately 80% hands-on execution and 20% people leadership-while guiding a small, growing team of infrastructure professionals.
The Manager will have ownership across networking, server, and cloud operations, working in both on-premises and Azure environments. This role requires excellent communication skills, the ability to manage up to senior and executive leadership, and a mindset focused on continuous improvement and innovation. The team currently consists of three professionals, and this leader will help shape its growth, maturity, and operating rhythm.

Key Responsibilities
Infrastructure & Operations (Primary Focus)

• Serve as a hands-on technical leader supporting daily network, server, and cloud operations.
• Administer and support Windows Server and Active Directory environments across on-prem and cloud platforms.
• Manage and optimize Microsoft Azure infrastructure, including hybrid identity and server workloads.
• Maintain a holistic view of enterprise networking, including LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, wireless, VPN, and firewall environments.
• Support virtualization platforms (VMware and/or Hyper-V) and core infrastructure services.
• Ensure availability, performance, and reliability across enterprise systems and services.
• Support backup, recovery, and disaster recovery capabilities in alignment with business continuity objectives.
• Act as an escalation point for complex network or server-related issues.

Team Leadership & Operational Rhythm (Approximately 20%)

• Lead and support a small infrastructure team (currently 3) through technical guidance, mentorship, and collaboration.
• Run daily or regular stand-up meetings, establish clear priorities, and maintain operational visibility.
• Foster a culture of accountability, problem-solving, and continuous learning.
• Provide hands-on assistance with troubleshooting while helping the team develop stronger technical depth.
• Bring new ideas, tools, and approaches to improve infrastructure operations and resilience.

Architecture, Security & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with Information Security teams to ensure secure infrastructure operations and adherence to security standards.
• Support patching, vulnerability remediation, access controls, and secure remote connectivity.
• Contribute to infrastructure architecture discussions and offer forward-looking recommendations.
• Identify opportunities for automation, monitoring improvements, and operational efficiencies.
• Support audit readiness and regulatory reviews through strong operational discipline and documentation.

Communication & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with application, database, service desk, and security teams to support enterprise initiatives.
• Communicate clearly with senior leaders and C-level stakeholders, translating technical risks and decisions into business context.
• Participate in infrastructure planning discussions and provide informed recommendations.
• Maintain accurate documentation including network diagrams, operational procedures, and runbooks.
• Support change management processes to ensure stable and predictable production environments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of experience in infrastructure, network, or systems engineering roles.
• Proven hands-on experience with:
  • Windows Server and Active Directory
  • Microsoft Azure
  • Enterprise networking (routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, wireless)
• Strong understanding of hybrid on-prem/cloud environments.
• Experience supporting virtualization platforms (VMware and/or Hyper-V).
• Ability to think holistically about infrastructure design and operations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including comfort presenting to senior leadership.
• Ability to participate in after-hours support or on-call rotation as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in regulated or highly available operating environments.
• Infrastructure, networking, or cloud certifications (Microsoft, networking, or security-focused).
• Experience supporting hybrid identity, cloud migrations, or infrastructure modernization initiatives.
• Background supporting audit or compliance-driven environments.
• Prior informal or formal leadership experience in a technical team setting.