Director of Infrastructure Operations

University of California, Riverside; California (MO); On-site; USD 114,300 - 220,900; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Riverside is seeking a Director of Infrastructure Operations to oversee the campus network and enterprise server environments. You will ensure reliable, scalable operations in partnership with the Infrastructure Engineering leadership and manage incidents, capacity, and resources across data center and storage domains.

The role is on-site with a competitive salary range and a strong emphasis on execution, lifecycle processes, and governance within a large, complex

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Advanced degree preferred for higher responsibilities.
• Experience leading IT operations and infrastructure teams.

Responsibilities

• Directs the Network and Systems Operations teams to maintain rock‑solid infrastructure.
• Oversees incident management and SLA enforcement across services.
• Drives capacity planning, resource optimization, and operational efficiency.

Skills

IT leadership

AIOps

Agentic AI

Networking

Data center

Vendor management

ITSM

SLA enforcement

Root-cause analysis

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Advanced degree in a related field (preferred)

Job description

Director of Infrastructure Operations

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.

The position is classified as on‑site. The full salary range is $114,300 – $220,900 annually, with the pay scale up to $160,000 annually. The University of California does not sponsor employment visas for staff. Applicants must have current work authorization. All policy and collective bargaining requirements apply to all employees.

Job Scope

Generic Scope
Spends the majority of time (50% or more) achieving organizational objectives through the coordinated achievements of subordinate staff. Establishes departmental goals and objectives; functions with autonomy. Manages accountability and stewardship of human, financial, and physical resources in compliance with departmental and organizational goals. Ensures subordinate supervisors and professionals adhere to defined internal controls. Manages systems and procedures to protect departmental assets.

Custom Scope
Receives assignments in the form of objectives and determines how to use resources to meet schedules and goals. Reviews and approves recommendations for functional programs. Provides guidance to subordinates to achieve goals in accordance with established policies. Errors or failure to achieve goals result in additional costs, personnel changes, and serious delays in overall schedules.

Department Custom Scope
Directs the supervisors of both the Network and Systems Operations teams, ensuring our technological foundation remains rock‑solid. Manages critical incidents and enforces strict adherence to service level agreements while championing a unified infrastructure vision.

Requirements

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Advanced degree in a related field (preferred).

Experience Requirements

• 8–13 years of related experience.
• 2–5 years managing an information technology organization.
• Hands‑on experience in the implementation and management of cutting‑edge IT operations solutions, specifically leveraging AIOps and Agentic AI frameworks.
• 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.
• 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.
• In‑depth knowledge of own functional area of 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.
• Knowledge sufficient for strategic planning, technology assessment, and direction.
• Demonstrated skill in managing technical staff.
• Experience in managing ongoing technology infrastructure acquisition and expansion, including identification and integration of 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 analyzing buy‑vs‑build procurement for products for effective and efficient technology use.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present technical topics to individuals and groups with varied 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 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to effectively navigate, build trust, and collaborate within a complex, decentralized university or enterprise IT environment.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti‑discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Employee Benefits Overview

For information about UCR’s generous employee benefits package, contact the Employee Benefits Office or visit the Employee Benefits Overview information on the university website.