Executive Director, Networks & Telecom (Hybrid)

School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking an Executive Director of Telecommunications and Network Services to provide strategic leadership for planning, development, and management of all telecom and network services across the museum and school. You will report to the VP of Information Services and manage multiple teams and infrastructure environments.

This role oversees campus data centers, vendor relationships, budgets, and strategic technology initiatives, ensuring robust, secure, and scalable

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical field preferred.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in IT infrastructure, telecommunications, network services, or a related field, ideally in a higher education or nonprofit environment.
• Experience with structured cabling system design, standards, and best practices required.
• Experience with network routing, switching, and wireless technologies preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic and operational oversight of campus network, telecommunications, wireless, Internet, VPN, firewall, data center, server, and related infrastructure and services.
• Oversees the organization’s Google Workspace environment and core network services, including DNS, DHCP, RADIUS, LDAP, SSO, and SSL certificate management.
• Partners with Information Security to ensure network infrastructure is secure, monitored, reliable, and resilient.
• Oversees campus data centers, equipment rooms, and associated electrical and mechanical infrastructure.
• Manages Internet, telecommunications, phone system, and related vendor relationships and contracts, including service levels, licensing, and emergency communications requirements.
• Develops and implements strategic plans for telecommunications and network services, including budgets, timelines, and progress reporting.
• Provides strategic oversight of structured low-voltage cabling infrastructure, including fiber and copper systems, and establishes institutional standards for physical infrastructure.
• Oversees cabling projects, including development of specifications and bid packages, vendor selection, contract administration, and coordination with architects, engineers, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Oversees outdoor wireless systems, electronic people-counting systems, and other specialized network infrastructure.
• Develops and manages operating and capital budgets for telecommunications and network services and expansion.
• Evaluates emerging technologies, service providers, and infrastructure needs and makes recommendations aligned with institutional priorities.
• Provides strategic leadership, direction, and development for the Telecommunications and Network Services teams.
• Communicates system status, policies, and service enhancements to the campus community and represents Information Services in institutional planning and capital projects.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Strategic thinking

Customer service

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related technical field

Tools

Linux servers

Structured cabling standards

DNS/DHCP/RADIUS/LDAP/SSO

Cybersecurity monitoring

Job description

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking an Executive Director of Telecommunications and Network Services to provide strategic leadership for planning, development, and management of all telecom and network services across the museum and school. You will report to the VP of Information Services and manage multiple teams and infrastructure environments.

This role oversees campus data centers, vendor relationships, budgets, and strategic technology initiatives, ensuring robust, secure, and scalable