Deputy-Chief Networking Officer job

About the Organization

The Office of Innovation & Technology (OIT) is the central IT agency for the City of Philadelphia, led by the Chief Information Officer (CIO). OIT oversees major information and communications technology initiatives, enhancing the effectiveness of the city’s IT infrastructure to meet the needs of businesses, residents, and visitors. Key responsibilities include:

• Identifying effective approaches for implementing new technology directions across city government.
• Improving the value of technology assets and return on investments.
• Ensuring data security and continuity.
• Planning for operational continuity during disruptions to IT or communications services.
• Supporting accountable, efficient, and effective government across all city departments, boards, commissions, and agencies.

About the Role

The Deputy CIO of Networking is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing and directing the networking infrastructure of the organization. This position involves managing the planning, implementation, and maintenance of network systems to ensure optimal performance, security, and scalability. The Deputy CIO works closely with the CIO to develop and execute strategic initiatives aligned with organizational goals.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership:
  • Collaborate with the CIO to develop and implement networking strategies aligned with the organization’s IT roadmap.
  • Lead the design and deployment of innovative networking solutions to meet current and future needs.
  • Stay informed of emerging technologies and trends in networking.
• Network Infrastructure Management:
  • Network Design and Architecture:
    • Design, implement, and maintain the organization's network infrastructure, including LAN, WAN, VPNs, and cloud-based solutions.
    • Evaluate new networking technologies, tools, and systems to enhance performance, scalability, and security.
    • Plan and deploy network expansions, upgrades, or replacements.
  • Network Operations and Maintenance:
    • Ensure continuous, uninterrupted operation of network systems with high uptime and availability.
    • Monitor network performance, troubleshoot problems, and perform regular maintenance.
    • Develop and maintain network documentation, including diagrams, configurations, and procedures.
  • Security Management:
    • Implement and enforce network security protocols, including firewalls, encryption, IDS/IPS systems, and access controls.
    • Conduct regular security audits, vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing.
    • Respond to network security incidents and implement incident response strategies.
  • Network Performance Monitoring and Optimization:
    • Use network management tools to monitor bandwidth usage, traffic patterns, and performance.
    • Optimize network configurations for efficiency, load balancing, and redundancy.
    • Identify and address bottlenecks or performance issues.
  • Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity:
    • Develop and implement network disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
    • Ensure data backup, replication, and failover systems are in place.
    • Regularly test disaster recovery protocols and update plans as needed.
• Vendor Evaluation and Selection:
  • Research and assess potential vendors for networking hardware, software, and services.
  • Develop evaluation criteria, including reliability, technical support, pricing, and SLAs.
  • Negotiate terms and pricing with selected vendors to secure favorable contracts.
  • Monitor vendor performance against SLAs and KPIs.
  • Foster strong relationships with vendors and serve as the primary point of contact.
  • Identify and mitigate risks associated with vendor partnerships.
• Networking Budget Management:
  • Assist in preparing the networking budget, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
  • Analyze current and projected costs for networking tools, services, and vendor contracts.
  • Monitor budget expenditures and ensure compliance with financial policies.
  • Prioritize spending based on critical networking needs and strategic initiatives.
  • Develop financial forecasts for future networking needs.
  • Generate detailed reports on budget performance and vendor expenditures.
• Compliance and Risk Management:
  • Ensure network systems comply with regulatory requirements and organizational policies.
  • Develop and implement disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
  • Conduct regular risk assessments and implement mitigation measures.
• Collaboration and Communication:
  • Ensure adherence to organizational policies and procedures within the network teams.
  • Oversee budgets related to team development and network operations.
  • Analyze performance metrics and prepare reports for upper management.
  • Work closely with other departments to align network goals with organizational objectives.
  • Communicate networking plans, policies, and procedures to stakeholders.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert on networking issues.
• Innovation and Improvement:
  • Identify areas for improvement in network operations and implement innovative solutions.
  • Leverage technology to enhance team performance and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• Network Systems Certification (JNCIP) or measurable work experience totaling at least 5 years.
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Communications, Information Technology, or a closely related field.
• 10 to 15 years of infrastructure and data center experience, with at least 3 years of leadership experience managing large, cross-functional teams or projects.
• 5 years of managerial or supervisor experience in planning, developing, managing, or implementing a comparatively sized or larger data center.
• OR any equivalent combination of education and experience determined acceptable by OIT and Human Resources.

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer.
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents) in partnership with area colleges and universities.
• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
• Wellness program with eligibility for discounted medical plans.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Generous retirement savings options.

The successful candidate must be a City of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.

Pay

Salary Range: $160,000–$175,000 (cannot exceed $175,000).