Manager, Network Administration and Operations

University of Chicago; Middletown Township (PA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago is seeking a Manager of Network Administration and Operations to lead day-to-day operations of campus wired and wireless networks. You will manage a team, set standards, and drive operational excellence across DNS/DHCP/IPAM, security, and monitoring.

You will collaborate with the Senior Manager of Network Engineering to plan maintenance, upgrades, and capacity while ensuring service levels meet university needs.

Qualifications

• Must have enterprise networking expertise across LAN/WAN, routing and switching (Cisco/Juniper).
• Experience with secure network design and campus wireless services.
• Familiarity with SD-WAN and zero-trust network architectures.
• Proficient with DNS, DHCP, IPAM management platforms.
• Ability to automate network tasks using Python, Ansible or REST APIs.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of network administrators and technicians for campus LAN/WiFi.
• Oversee performance, availability, and security of wired and wireless services.
• Maintain documentation, run-books, and change management records.
• Coordinate with IT stakeholders to resolve outages and communicate incidents.
• Develop procedures to minimize downtime and improve service quality.
• Analyze usage trends and report on service health and workload.
• Plan network design and upgrades in alignment with infrastructure priorities.

Skills

Enterprise networking

SD-WAN / ZTNA / SASE

DNS/DHCP/IPAM

Network programmability

Education

Bachelor or Associate in CS/IT/EE or related field

College degree in related field

Job description

Department

OPS ITS - Chief Technology Office

About the Department

IT Services (ITS) collaborates with campus partners to support the mission of the University of Chicago through the consistent delivery of high-quality solutions and services. We provide secure, stable, and reliable infrastructure and applications that support the mission of the University. ITS supports and enables faculty research and teaching with the effective use of technology, simplifies the technology experience for all users, and identifies, manages, and mitigates technology risks for the University.

Job Summary

The Manager, Network Administration and Operations is responsible for the day-to-day configuration, operation, monitoring, and availability of the University’s wired (Ethernet) and wireless (WiFi) campus network services. This role directly manages a team of network administrators and technicians who perform hands-on installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of network infrastructure including switches, wireless access points, and supporting services such as DNS, DHCP, and IPAM. This position ensures operational consistency through standardized procedures, run-books, and repeatable processes, and serves as the primary escalation point for Tier 1 and Tier 2 network support operations. The Manager coordinates closely with the Senior Manager, Network Engineering to align operational activities with infrastructure priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manages network administrators and technicians who perform the configuration, installation, operation, and monitoring of the campus Local Area Network (LAN), including switches, wireless access points, and end-user connectivity infrastructure.
• Oversees the performance, availability, and security of wired and wireless network services across the University campus, including monitoring, incident response, and escalation management for network-related outages and degradations.
• Oversees monitoring and troubleshooting of campus network infrastructure including LAN switches, wireless access points, DNS/DHCP services, and related connectivity systems, ensuringtimelyresolution of incidents andaccuratedocumentation of remediation steps.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for network connectivity issues escalated from the IT Services help desk, coordinating with IT and facilities stakeholders as needed to resolve network service disruptions.
• Develops,maintains, and enforces standard operating procedures,run-books, and repeatable operational processes to ensure consistent service delivery and minimize unplanned downtime.
• Analyzes network usage trends and prepares operational metrics to assess service health and team workload.
• Develops and documents Tier 1 and Tier 2 data network support procedures for troubleshooting, change communication, and service restoration, and evaluates operational effectiveness on an ongoing basis.
• Maintainsaccuraterecords of network asset configurations, incident logs, and change management documentationin accordance withITS standards.
• Manages employee performance byestablishingannual goals,allocatingresources, conducting performance assessments, and supporting the professional development and career growth of network administrators and technicians.
• Encourages participation from team members in improving operational processes, documentation, and ITS service delivery practices.
• Maintains current knowledge of network administration technologies, tools, and best practices through professional development, vendor resources, and peer networks.
• Coordinates with the Senior Manager, Network Engineering to align operational activities with infrastructure priorities, ensuring technician and administrator capacity is deployed effectively against maintenance schedules and project commitments.
• Interfaces with internal IT teams and end‑user stakeholders to address network connectivity needs and ensure operational service levels aremaintainedacross the campus environment.
• Manages the performance and availability ofthe wirelessand wired University networks. Advises on the planning, executing, and operation of the campus fiber plant.
• Develops plans to sustain and improve the University’s Networking Services and Information Technologies (NSIT) network. Creates strategic plans for network design, implementation, and upgrades/modifications to existing networks.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or associate degree in computer science, information technology, electrical engineering, or a related field.

Experience:

• 7+ years of progressive experience in enterprise network engineering and administration.
• Background in higher education or research-intensive IT environments.

Certifications:

• Relevant certifications such as CCNP/CCIE, JNCIP/JNCIE, or equivalent.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Expertisein campus and enterprise networking: LAN/WAN, routing and switching (Cisco and/or Juniper), wireless, and network security.
• Familiarity with SD-WAN, zero trust network access (ZTNA), or SASE architectures.
• Proficient in DNS/DHCP/IPAM management platforms.
• Proficient at driving automation initiatives using network programmability (Ansible, Python, REST APIs).

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work schedule, onsite and remote as required.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)

Job Family

Information Technology

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Range

$135,000.00 - $145,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case‑by‑case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.