Director of Networking and Telecommunications

Position Title: Director of Networking and Telecommunications Time Type: Full time Position Summary and Qualifications: The Director of Infrastructure Communications is a pivotal leader responsible for shaping and securing the University's critical connectivity landscape. Operating across three physical campuses, this strategic role drives the architecture and modernization of our next-generation enterprise networks and unified communications. In this role, you will lead, mentor, and grow a dedicated infrastructure communications team to deliver robust, scalable, and high-performing services for the entire University community. Beyond maintaining day-to-day reliability, you will spearhead key technology projects—ranging from advanced firewall and wireless deployments to integrating modern automation and telecommunications systems. This is a hybrid leadership role based out of our Hawk Hill (Philadelphia) campus, requiring regular onsite presence across our physical locations with a flexible remote work schedule. Required Attachments: List of at least (3) professional references; a resume/CV; and a cover letter in the Application Supporting Materials field. Do not submit application until all documents are attached. As attention to detail is critical. To demonstrate this, please start your cover letter with the phrase: 'Confirming on-site availability for Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia.' Applications without this specific phrase may not be considered further. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Strategic Planning & Leadership Provide vision, direction, and oversight to the Infrastructure Communications teams, including staff selection, mentorship, professional development, and performance management. Establish, test, and maintain robust Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity Plans (BCP) for all critical network and telecommunications services. Develop cost estimates, provide technical specifications, attend project meetings, and develop test procedures for projects impacting the network infrastructure, telecommunications services, and security. Lead system reconfigurations and upgrades for telecommunications and network systems. Manage system and service planning, budgeting, and procurement processes for both network and telecommunication services. Lead Green IT initiatives by optimizing power and cooling within network infrastructure, managing efficient hardware lifecycles, and reducing the department's carbon footprint. Manage processes and staff to evaluate, recommend, and implement technologies to facilitate the delivery of data, voice, and video services that traverse the campus network. Perform capital and operational budget planning and oversight for Infrastructure Communications units and coordinate necessary purchasing. Network Infrastructure & Operations Function as a key technical leader and project manager for the wired/wireless network infrastructure across three physical locations, numerous buildings, and software-defined cloud services. Supervise Network staff and oversee work related to the operational management, security, and maintenance of wired/wireless network infrastructure, including site-to-site/VPN connections. Oversee core network routing infrastructure management, network system performance/utilization analysis, troubleshooting, and planning for growth and security. Utilize predictive network analytics and AIOps tools for proactive monitoring, anomaly detection, and automated remediation of connectivity or performance issues. Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve performance, connectivity, and related network problems (on-site and remotely). Manage network software, hardware, and reporting tools for configuration, troubleshooting, compliance, and performance analysis. Lead the evaluation, deployment, and ongoing management of Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN), DNS, DHCP, and IPAM across the multi-campus footprint to optimize traffic routing and enhance redundancy. Manage power and environmental systems supporting the network infrastructure. Design and enforce strict network segmentation and micro-segmentation strategies for the secure onboarding, isolation, and management of campus-wide Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Telecommunications Infrastructure & Operations Oversee Telecommunication operations including IP-enabled PBXs, voice/unified messaging, call accounting, directory maintenance, call recording, e-911/c-911/PSAP, Emergency Notification, and related systems. Lead the strategic roadmap, deployment, and lifecycle management of cloud-based Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) platforms to modernize legacy PBX infrastructure. Vendor Management & Service Delivery Manage vendor relationships, develop RFPs, conduct contract negotiations, and manage procurement/contracts for telecommunications, networking, and cabling services. Manage inside and outside cabling plant for data, voice, and campus television; supervise related cabling projects. Supervise the process for community requests for service/repair of telecommunications, network, and television services. Determine technical requirements and serve as liaison to internal/external service providers for network-based devices and services. Security & Compliance Spearhead the transition toward Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) frameworks, evolving beyond traditional site-to-site and perimeter VPN boundaries. Collaborate with Chief Information Security Officer and Network Security Engineer to manage network-level security including firewalls and SIEM. Align network and telecommunications security postures with broader industry-standard frameworks (such as NIST or CIS controls) alongside existing higher-education requirements like HEOA. Secondary Duties and Responsibilities: Represents the Infrastructure Communications team at meetings such as the Change Management Board, Architecture Review Board, and Technology Adoption committees. Manages network cabling documentation and serves as liaison for network cabling requests. Researches and evaluates the technical and financial feasibility of network and telecommunications products for possible acquisition and deployment. Collaborates with IT system administrators and coordinates Infrastructure Communications staff to provision robust and reliable connectivity to data centers, physical servers, and virtual servers. Oversees the work of third-party service providers, ensuring that Service Level Agreements are followed. Performs telecommunications system administration programming, and troubleshooting as needed. Oversees processes to: manage border connectivity with ISP(s); assures network-level security and compliance in collaboration with other IT personnel. Assesses network operations procedures, setting quality standards while adhering to security and compliance guidelines. Minimum Qualifications (Education/Training and Experience): Required A Bachelor’s degree in a related Information Technology field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant technical experience and skills. Demonstrated 10 years of experience managing networking/communications systems and infrastructure. Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience is required. Demonstrated 5+ years of in-depth experience with, and strategic oversight of, L2 switching (SPBm/VLAN/STP/LACP) and L3 routing protocols (IS-IS/VRF/BGP/OSPF) in complex enterprise environments. BGP experience is a plus. Experience implementing enterprise communications systems and coordinating hardware and software upgrades is required. Experience managing projects to deploy communications wiring and to support installed plant (copper and fiber backbone, riser, and horizontal/station for data, voice, and television) is required. Demonstrated knowledge 802.11 network standards. Knowledge of data communications wiring (CAT5E/6/6E, Fiber). Knowledge of AC, DC power, UPS, and power management. Experience with network security technologies (firewall, IPS). Demonstrated experience planning and managing budgets and financial modeling. Ability to work independently and with others in a collaborative environment. Must possess excellent problem-solving, organization, project management, and professional skills. Requires familiarity with basic word processing, spreadsheets, and database software. Valid driver’s license. Preferred Experience in Linux and Windows system administration. Basic working knowledge of virtualization/virtual environments. Knowledge of cloud based PBXs and/or hybrid deployments. Vendor-Specific Ecosystems: Direct experience creating and managing specific campus switching and security fabric ecosystems (such as Extreme Networks, Fortinet, Ruckus wireless, or Aruba wireless) is highly desirable. Supervision: Provides direct supervision to Network and Telecommunication teams, which may include roles such as Network Analysts, Telecommunication Analysts, and student workers. (currently 4 FTEs, 2 consulting companies, and student worker) Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours: This is a hybrid role with work performed both onsite across 3 physical locations and remotely. This role will be located at the Hawk Hill (Philadelphia) campus. Walking, standing, sitting, and lifting up to 50 lbs. Transporting equipment on a hand truck. Moving in cramped or enclosed areas. Walkthroughs, meetings,project preparation and supervisory work often require work in manholes, closets, attics, basements, etc. Off-hours responsibility during network/telecommunications problems and projects. On-call responsibility; must remain available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for critical network or telecommunications problems on campuses. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Pay Transparency: The estimated pay range for this position is $110,000-$130,000 annually. Offered salary will be commensurate with work experience and educational background. Click here to learn more about the University's approach to pay and benefits transparency. Notice to Out of State Applicants: Saint Joseph’s University may only consider applicants from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York (not including New York City zip codes), and Delaware (Delaware residents must regularly be present for over 50% of work time on an SJU campus). Saint Joseph’s University is a private, Catholic, Jesuit institution and we expect members of our community to be knowledgeable about – and to make a positive contribution to – our mission. Saint Joseph’s University is an equal opportunity employer that seeks to recruit, develop and retain a talented and diverse workforce. The University is committed to the diversity of its faculty and staff so that our students, our disciplines and our community as a whole can benefit from the multiple perspectives it offers. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. EOE Saint Joseph’s University prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in its programs and activities, including admission and employment, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for overseeing compliance with Title IX and other civil rights laws and regulations. To contact the Title IX Coordinator, e-mail View email address on click.appcast.io, visit Campion Student Center suite 243, or call View phone number on click.appcast.io. To learn more about the University’s Title IX policies, the process for filing a report or formal complaint of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other form of sexual misconduct, and the University’s response to reports and/or formal complaints, please visit Inquiries may also be directed to the Federal agency responsible for enforcing Title IX, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. Applicant Information & Disclosures Please review this article of important information pertaining (but not limited) to: Background checks, the Form I-9, Equal Opportunity Employment (EOE), and Title IX. Pay Transparency & Benefits Overview Read more about the university's approach to pay and benefits transparency. Saint Joseph's University seeks an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as its next Vice President for Enrollment Management. SJU has retained NES to assist the search. Review the position announcement to learn more about this exciting opportunity and how to apply. Please review this article of important information pertaining (but not limited) to: Background checks, the Form I-9, Equal Opportunity Employment (EOE), and Title IX. As Philadelphia’s Jesuit Catholic University, Saint Joseph’s provides a rigorous, student-centered education rooted in the liberal arts. We prepare students for personal excellence, professional success, and engaged citizenship. Striving to be an inclusive and diverse community that educates and cares for the whole person, we encourage and model lifelong commitment to thinking critically, making ethical decisions, pursuing social justice, and finding God in all things.