Manager, Network & Systems Engineering

Manager Of Network & Systems Engineering

IMG Academy's Campus Technology Department is seeking a technically deep and operationally driven Manager of Network & Systems Engineering to lead a high-performing team of network and systems engineers supporting one of the world's premier sports and education campuses. This is a practitioner-leader role and will need to be comfortable configuring a core switch or troubleshooting a complex systems issue as well as running a team standup or presenting to senior leadership. This role is the technical backbone of campus connectivity and computing infrastructure, overseeing enterprise networking, server systems, identity management, cloud and hybrid environments, and the overall health and reliability of the platforms that power campus operations.

We are looking for someone that can be hands-on across network engineering and systems administration, with a proven track record of leading technical teams and delivering infrastructure initiatives at scale. This individual is expected to remain technically active and current, contributing directly to engineering work alongside team members, not just directing from the sidelines. IMG Academy operates as a highly integrated campus environment, and this role reflects that reality: This role will have opportunities crossing discipline lines when the campus needs it, whether that means jumping into an AV issue, pulling structured cabling, or supporting physical infrastructure alongside other Campus Technology teams. They will drive the design, deployment, and ongoing evolution of campus network and systems infrastructure, ensuring security, scalability, and operational excellence across a complex, always-on environment that directly supports student-athletes, faculty, staff, and events.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of network and systems engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Establish and monitor KPIs, SLAs, and service metrics across network operations, systems uptime, and infrastructure reliability.
• Manage staffing schedules, workload prioritization, and on-call rotations to ensure 24/7 operational readiness for campus-critical systems.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, provide coaching and development plans, and identify training opportunities aligned to team and departmental goals.

Network Engineering:

• Oversee the design, deployment, configuration, and ongoing maintenance of campus-wide wired and wireless network infrastructure, including LAN/WAN, switching, routing, and wireless systems.
• Ensure network reliability, redundancy, and security across all campus environments, including dormitories, academic facilities, athletic venues, and administrative buildings.
• Lead the planning and execution of network refresh and upgrade cycles, including hardware lifecycle management and capacity planning.
• Maintain and enforce advanced knowledge standards across the team covering Layer 1 through Layer 7 networking, including routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), VLANs, QoS, SD-WAN, and wireless controllers.
• Partner with the Director of Campus Technology on network security strategy, including firewall policy, access controls, network segmentation, and intrusion detection/prevention systems.
• Drive adoption of SD-WAN, cloud networking, and network automation where appropriate to improve reliability and reduce operational overhead.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date network documentation, diagrams, and configuration records.

Systems Engineering:

• Direct systems engineers in the administration, maintenance, and lifecycle management of server infrastructure, including physical and virtual environments (VMware, Hyper-V, or equivalent).
• Oversee identity and access management systems, including Active Directory/Entra ID, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, Okta, and MDM platforms (Microsoft Intune preferred).
• Ensure backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans are in place, regularly tested, and maintained for all critical systems.
• Drive adoption of cloud and hybrid infrastructure strategies, including Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365, in alignment with departmental roadmaps and campus needs.
• Maintain and enforce standards for OS patching, endpoint management, and system compliance across all campus-managed devices.
• Oversee storage infrastructure, including SAN/NAS environments and backup systems, ensuring capacity and performance meet campus demands.

Security & Compliance:

• Serve as the operational lead for network and systems security, working in partnership with campus leadership to maintain a strong security posture.
• Ensure consistent application of security policies, access controls, and compliance requirements across network and systems infrastructure.
• Lead incident response for network and systems-related security events, coordinating investigation, containment, and remediation.
• Conduct regular reviews of vulnerability reports, patch compliance, and access logs; drive remediation efforts within established timelines.

Project & Vendor Management:

• Lead and contribute to the planning and execution of capital and operational technology projects, from scope definition and budgeting through implementation and closeout.
• Develop cost estimates and scopes of work for network and systems upgrades; present findings and recommendations to departmental leadership.
• Manage vendor relationships, procurement, and contract activities for network hardware, software licensing, and systems infrastructure.
• Track and manage project budgets, purchase orders, and financial controls in adherence to campus fiscal policies.
• Identify and implement process improvements that increase the efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of network and systems operations.

Communication & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Provide regular, timely updates to the Director of Campus Technology and campus leadership on project status, system health, incidents, and departmental metrics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders across Athletics, Academics, Facilities, Finance, and Operations to ensure network and systems solutions align with campus program needs.
• Serve as the hands-on escalation point for major network outages and systems incidents, actively participating in diagnosis and resolution alongside the team, while ensuring clear, timely communication with impacted stakeholders.
• Translate complex technical concepts and findings into clear, executive-friendly communications and reporting.
• Provide cross-functional support across Campus Technology teams as campus needs dictate, including AV and physical infrastructure assistance, structured cabling, and other layer 1 work, reflecting the integrated, all-hands nature of a complex, always-on campus environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• 7+ years of progressive experience in network engineering, systems administration, or a related IT infrastructure discipline
• 3+ years of experience in a people management or team lead role, with demonstrated ability to lead and develop technical staff
• Strong hands-on knowledge of enterprise networking: routing (BGP, OSPF), switching, VLANs, wireless, firewalls, and network security, with demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot and resolve complex issues at the network and systems layer
• Solid working knowledge of systems administration: Windows Server, Active Directory/Entra ID, DNS/DHCP, virtualization (VMware or Hyper-V), and endpoint management
• Experience with identity and access management platforms including Okta or equivalent SSO/IAM solutions
• Proven experience managing technology projects, including budgeting, scheduling, and vendor coordination
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear updates to senior leadership and executive audiences
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and decision-making skills across interconnected network and systems environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, and IT service management/ticketing platforms (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira, or equivalent)
• Experience in a large campus, higher education, sports, entertainment, or multi-facility environment
• Relevant industry certifications: CCNP, CCNA, CompTIA Network+/Security+, Microsoft Certified (Azure/M365 Administrator), or equivalent
• Experience with SD-WAN platforms, cloud networking, and hybrid infrastructure environments
• Familiarity with MDM platforms (Microsoft Intune preferred) and endpoint compliance frameworks
• Experience with network automation and scripting (Python, Ansible, or equivalent)
• Proficiency with network documentation tools (Visio, NetBox, or equivalent) and ITSM platforms
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure, including IaaS, Azure AD/Entra ID, and hybrid connectivity
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent experience.

Background Requirements:

• Requires a background check upon offer
• Requires a drug test upon offer

Benefits: As a full-time member of our team, you will enjoy a comprehensive offering listed below. Connect with your talent acquisition specialist to learn more about benefits for our part-time and seasonal/temporary roles.