Director of Infrastructure Operations

About the Role

The Director of Infrastructure Operations serves as the operational cornerstone for UCR’s core technology foundation, overseeing the daily management, maintenance, and stability of both the campus network infrastructure and enterprise server environments. Working in close partnership with the Director of Infrastructure Engineering—who drives the architecture and forward-looking design—this role focuses purely on execution, operationalizing and sustaining best-in-class computing and network environments. By leveraging robust monitoring, automation, and standardized lifecycle processes, the Director ensures optimal performance, resiliency, and resource utilization across storage, virtualization, and data center operations. As the definitive leader for managing critical incidents and driving strict adherence to service level agreements, the Director champions our unified infrastructure vision by directly managing the supervisors of both the Network and Systems Operations teams, ensuring our technological foundation remains rock-solid.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the daily management, maintenance, and stability of campus network infrastructure and enterprise server environments
• Operationalizes and sustains best-in-class computing and network environments
• Leverages robust monitoring, automation, and standardized lifecycle processes to ensure optimal performance, resiliency, and resource utilization across storage, virtualization, and data center operations
• Manages critical incidents and drives strict adherence to service level agreements
• Directly manages the supervisors of both the Network and Systems Operations teams
• Manages the accountability and stewardship of human, financial, and physical resources in compliance with departmental and organizational goals
• Establishes departmental goals and objectives
• Ensures subordinate supervisors and professionals adhere to defined internal controls
• Manages systems and procedures to protect departmental assets
• Provides guidance to subordinates to achieve goals in accordance with established policies

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training (Required)
• Advanced degree in related area (Preferred)

Experience

• 8 - 13 years of related experience (Required)
• Typically 2 - 5 years of experience managing an information technology organization (Required)
• Demonstrated, hands-on experience in the implementation and management of cutting-edge IT Operations solutions, specifically leveraging AIOps (Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations) and Agentic AI frameworks (Required)
• IT management experience involving planning, design and management of IT voice and data communications, server and data center support, end-user support, service delivery and network support (Required)
• Proven experience supporting large-scale network implementations and upgrades and delivering reliable and quality network service within a higher education environment or large private-sector organization with federated operations (Required)

Skills

• Requires in-depth knowledge of own area of functional responsibility, with a broad knowledge of the IT organization
• Thorough knowledge of voice and data network systems
• Knowledge of operating policies and procedures and the ability to determine a course of action based on these guidelines
• Thorough knowledge of subject area sufficient for strategic planning, technology assessment and direction
• Demonstrated skill in managing technical staff
• Experience in the management of ongoing technology infrastructure acquisition and expansion, to include the identification and integration of suitable emerging technologies
• Thorough knowledge of technical concepts and basic operating principles of data communications, computer hardware, vendor IT products, and software
• Ability to understand the process involved to adapt, integrate, and modify existing programs or vendor-supplied products for use within the technical environment
• Experienced in leading change management activities and managing their impact across the unit or department
• Experience of analyzing buy vs. build procurement for products for effective and efficient technology use
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively present technical topics to individuals and groups with potentially varied levels of technical sophistication
• Strong knowledge and understanding of service delivery principles
• Advanced knowledge of enterprise IT operations, encompassing both complex network ecosystems (LAN/WAN, data center routing, wireless) and core systems administration (virtualization, enterprise storage, directory services)
• Ability to develop positive working relationships and a strong rapport with team members; demonstrated experience in leading a multi-functional team
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills required to conduct thorough Root-Cause Analysis (RCA) and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that prevent recurring outages
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills to build and maintain high-performing, resilient technical teams, including proven experience directing and evaluating subordinate supervisors
• Broad knowledge of IT Service Management (ITSM) principles, incident response protocols, and SLA enforcement within a large-scale, 24/7 production environment
• Demonstrated ability to effectively navigate, build trust, and collaborate within a complex, decentralized university or enterprise IT environment (Preferred)

Pay

The full salary range for the Director, Infrastructure Operations is $114,300 - $220,900 annually. However, the pay scale for this position is up to $160,000 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs.

Schedule

This position is classified as on-site.