Observability Operations Manager

State of South Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Life Insurance

Retirement Programs

Paid Tuition

Dependent Scholarships

Annual Leave

Sick Leave

13 Paid Holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

University of South Carolina is expanding its Security Operations Center into a Network Operations and Security Center (NOSC) and seeks an Operations Manager to lead day-to-day operations across security, observability, incident response, and service reliability. You will manage a mixed team of full-time professionals and student analysts, coordinating across threat hunting, SRE, and IT teams.

You will drive improvements, serve as an escalation point for incidents, and help shape the NOSC's

Qualifications

• Experience leading a blended Security Operations Center and Network Operations Center.
• Proven ability to mentor both professional staff and student analysts.
• Strong incident response and service reliability focus in a complex enterprise.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations of USC's NOSC, integrating security operations, observability, incident response, and service reliability.
• Manage and mentor a blended team of full-time professionals and student analysts; oversee internships and staff development.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for cybersecurity and availability incidents across a large university environment.

Skills

SOC/NOC experience

People leadership

Incident response

Operational improvement

Security operations

Job description

Observability Operations Manager Department: IT Information Security Advertised Salary Range: Part/Full Time: Full Time

About UofSC From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond. Inclusive Excellence Statement Advertised Job Summary USC is evolving its traditional Security Operations Center into a Network Operations and Security Center (NOSC)—a blended operational model that brings security operations, enterprise observability, incident response, and service reliability together under one roof. We're looking for an Operations Manager to lead the NOSC's day-to-day operations, managing both full-time and student staff while coordinating closely with threat hunting, Security SRE, and IT teams across the University. This is a hands-on leadership role: you'll manage operational coverage, serve as an escalation point for both security and availability incidents, and turn recurring operational problems into measurable improvement projects. The Operations Manager leads the people, processes, and daily operations of USC's Network Operations and Security Center (NOSC). The role combines team leadership, incident response, and operational improvement, working across security, observability, threat hunting, and SRE to keep critical university services secure and resilient.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the day-to-day operations of USC's evolving Network Operations and Security Center (NOSC), integrating security operations, enterprise observability, incident response, and service reliability.
• Manage and mentor a blended team of full-time professionals and student analysts, including operational coverage, internships, and staff development.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for both cybersecurity and availability incidents, working across a large, complex university environment.

What You'll Bring:

• Experienced operations leader with a strong background in SOC, NOC, or blended security/network operations and incident response in a complex enterprise environment.
• Strong people leader and mentor who can manage professional and student staff, build effective teams, and work independently with sound judgement.
• Operational problem solver comfortable coordinating across security, infrastructure, SRE, and other teams to turn recurring problems into sustainable improvements.

Why Join Us?

• Invest in your expertise with access to advanced professional development, including SANS training and industry certifications.
• Teach and mentor the next generation by working directly with student analysts and helping them develop real-world security and operations skills.
• Work alongside highly credentialed, experienced professionals across incident response, threat hunting, security engineering, SRE, networking, and enterprise IT.
• Help build something new as USC evolves toward an integrated NOSC model, with opportunities to shape its people, processes, tooling, and culture.

Perks of the University of South Carolina:

• Downtown COLA Location: Enjoy working in the heart of Columbia, SC, with easy access to vibrant city life, dining, and cultural events.
• Energetic Leadership: Thrive under the guidance of an energetic and innovative leadership team dedicated to transforming IT at USC, making your role impactful and exciting.
• Competitive compensation: Some of the BEST benefits you can find!
• Paid tuition
• Parental leave
• Dependent scholarships
• State benefits
• State retirement plans
• Work-Life Balance: Full-time pay with a 37.50 hour work week and generous paid time off. (15 paid vacation days, 15 paid sick days, 13 paid holidays, including an extended December holiday!)

Benefits Package:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of information security, observability, and privacy best practices, with an emphasis on security operations center and incident response functions. Excellent interpersonal, customer service and written/oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop an effective, collaborative working relationship with a variety of representative groups with potentially dissimilar priorities. Demonstrated judgment and discretion in working with sensitive, confidential information and matters.
• Project coordination experience across diversified operational units. Ability to work with minimal direction and guidance and is self-motivated while also serving as a mentor to more junior and less experienced staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive experience working in a Security Operations Center, blended Network / Security Operations Center, or Network Operations Center, including incident response, subject to federal and state regulatory requirements as applied in large multi-campus higher education environments or similarly complex enterprise or government environments. Experience with standards-based risk management frameworks (i.e. NIST SP-800, ISO, NIST CSF, HEISC, etc.).
• Experience in the evaluation of new technology and security threats as they arise. Familiarity with information security and privacy best practices and related laws, particularly within the context of higher education.
• Professional certifications such as GCFE, GCFA, GNFA, GCIH, GCIA, GSNA, GSLC, GSTRT, CISSP or other information security and privacy certifications are highly desired.

Job Close Date 12/11/2026

We are only accepting applications submitted by December 11, 2026.

EEO Statement The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.