Manager, Network Administration and Operations

University of Chicago; United States; Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

The Manager, Network Administration and Operations at the University of Chicago is responsible for the day‑to‑day configuration, operation, monitoring, and availability of campus LAN and WiFi, leading a team of network administrators and technicians, and enforcing standardized procedures.

You will coordinate with the Senior Manager, Network Engineering to align operational activities with priorities and maintain service levels across the campus with a hybrid work schedule.

Qualifications

• Minimum degree required; strong network fundamentals.
• 7+ years in enterprise network engineering and operations preferred.
• CCNP/CCIE or equivalent certifications are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manages network administrators and technicians for LAN/WAN setup, operation, and monitoring.
• Oversees network performance, availability, and security campus-wide, including outages and degradations.
• Oversees monitoring and troubleshooting of LAN switches, WLAN, DNS/DHCP, IPAM, and related systems.
• Primary point of contact for escalations from IT Services help desk; coordinates with IT and facilities.
• Develops, maintains, and enforces SOPs, run-books, and operational processes.
• Analyzes network usage trends and prepares operational metrics.

Skills

LAN/WAN

Routing & Switching

Wireless networking

Network security

DNS/DHCP/IPAM

Automation (Ansible)

Python

REST APIs

ZTNA/SASE

SD-WAN

Education

Bachelor's or associate degree in CS/IT/EE or related field

7+ years enterprise network engineering experience

Tools

Cisco/Juniper gear

DNS/DHCP/IPAM tools

Network monitoring tools

Automation tooling

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, ensuring timely resolution of incidents and accurate documentation 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.
• Maintains accurate records of network asset configurations, incident logs, and change management documentation in accordance with ITS standards.
• Manages employee performance by establishing annual goals, allocating resources, 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 are maintained across the campus environment.
• Manages the performance and availability of the wireless and 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.
• Certifications: —

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

• Expertise in 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.

Job Family Information

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. FLSA Status: Exempt. 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. The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government. To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/.