Infra Ops Director: Reliable, Scalable On‑Site Leadership

University of California, Riverside; California; 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

Position Information

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. This position is classified as on-site. 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. Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, UCR is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Position Information

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. This position is classified as on-site. 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. Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, UCR is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Requirements

Educational Requirements

Degree

Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Requirement

Required

Degree

Advanced degree in related area.

Requirement

Preferred

Experience Requirements

Experience

8 - 13 years of related experience.

Requirement

Required

Experience

Typically 2 - 5 years of experience managing an information technology organization.

Requirement

Experience

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.

Requirement

Experience

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.

Requirement

Experience

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.

Requirement

Minimum Requirements

• Requires in-depth knowledge of own area of functional responsibility, with a broad knowledge of the IT organization.
• Has thorough knowledge of voice and data network systems.
• Must have 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.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

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

Additional Information

In the Heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park-like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel.

UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud.

• UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings.
• UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility. - U.S. News 2020
• UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color.
• Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid. - Business Insider 2019
• Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation. - Center for World University Rankings
• UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine.
  
  

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.

For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit: Employee Benefits Overview

Job Description Details

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 the accountability and stewardship of human, financial, and often physical resources in compliance with departmental and organizational goals and objectives. 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. Erroneous decisions or failure to achieve goals results in additional costs and personnel, and serious delays in overall schedules.

Department Custom Scope

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.