Executive Director of Telecommunications and Network Services

Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking a Director of Telecommunications and Network Services to lead planning, development, and management of campus networks, telecom, and data center infrastructure. You will report to the VP of Information Services and supervise the network services team, ensuring secure and scalable connectivity for both museum and school.

Ideal candidate has a track record in higher education or nonprofit settings, strong leadership, budgeting skills, and experience with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, CS, IS or related field required.
• 7+ years in IT infrastructure, telecom, or network services, preferably in education or nonprofit.
• Experience with structured cabling design and standards required.
• Experience with network routing, switching and wireless technologies preferred.
• Experience with server hardware and Linux OS preferred.
• Experience with cybersecurity systems, monitoring, and incident response preferred.
• Experience with project management and communicating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders required.
• Knowledge of network, telecom, and infrastructure technologies and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic and operational oversight of campus network, telecom, wireless, Internet, VPN, firewall, data center and related services.
• Oversees Google Workspace environment and core network services including DNS, DHCP, LDAP, SSO, and SSL certificate management.
• Partners with Information Security to ensure secure, reliable and resilient infrastructure.
• Oversees campus data centers, equipment rooms and related electrical/mechanical infrastructure.
• Manages vendor relationships and contracts including SLAs, licensing and emergency comms.
• Develops strategic plans for telecom and network services with budgets and timelines.
• Provides oversight of low-voltage cabling infrastructure and establishes standards.
• Oversees cabling projects: specifications, bids, vendor selection and contract Admin.
• Oversees outdoor wireless, people-counting systems and specialized network infra.
• Develops operating and capital budgets for telecom and network services and expansion.
• Evaluates emerging technologies and makes recommendations aligned with priorities.
• Leads Telecommunications and Network Services teams and communicates status to stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Customer service

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Network technologies

Cybersecurity

Linux systems

Server hardware

Structured cabling

Phone system admin

Tech communication

Education

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

Tools

Google Workspace

Job description

About The Art Institute Of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

About The Art Institute Of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

About The Department

The Department of Information Services operates as a central administrative division under the Finance and Administration umbrella, dedicated to managing the foundational technology infrastructure that supports both the Museum and the School of the Art Institute. With a dedicated staff of 52 members, the department’s core operations include technical support, systems administration, information security, academic computing, web services, network services, and telecommunications.

Position Summary

Provides executive leadership and strategic oversight for the planning, development, and management of telecommunications and network services across all Art Institute of Chicago facilities, ensuring robust and scalable connectivity for both the museum and school. This role will report to the VP of Information Services and will manage the Director of Network Services, the IT infrastructure engineer and the telecommunications technician.

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.
• Performs other duties and participates in special projects as assigned.

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.
• Experience with server hardware and Linux operating systems preferred.
• Experience with cybersecurity systems and practices, including monitoring, log aggregation, and incident response preferred.
• Experience with phone system administration, provisioning, and maintenance preferred.
• Experience with project management and communicating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders required.
• Knowledge of network, telecommunications, and infrastructure technologies and best practices.
• Knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems supporting data centers and equipment rooms preferred.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Strong project management, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to high-quality customer service.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.

Compensation & Benefits

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range: $160,000 - $180,000

• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Exempt
• Employment Category: Full Time Staff
• Grade Level: 12

If you are accessing this listing from a third party, not all links to salary and benefits information may work. Please visit our career page at saic/artic.edu/employment for complete information

Accessibility

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Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at [e-mail].