What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager, Network & Systems Operations position at Phoenix Suns?
Headquarters
Phoenix, AZ
Job Summary
Player 15 Group includes several companies and many collaborative departments that support the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Mortgage Matchup Center.
Would you like to win championships and create sustained success? Player 15 Group is looking for individuals who are committed to pursuing excellence, win championships, create sustained success and desire to play a role in creating memorable experiences.
We are seeking a proven and proactive Manager, Network & Systems Operations, to lead a small, high-impact technology team. This is a management role first, focused on setting direction, driving accountability, and ensuring operational excellence across network, systems, and infrastructure functions.
The ideal candidate brings a strong technical foundation and understands how to engage directly when needed, but their primary responsibility is to lead the team, align with stakeholders, and deliver results. Success in this role means building clarity, maintaining standards, and developing both people and process by working across departments to scope, plan, and deliver technical projects with defined outcomes and timelines.
What You Will Do
Team Leadership & Development
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by Manager, Network & Systems Operations to optimally perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Please note this job description is not crafted to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
For questions about this career opportunity, please contact the People & Culture Recruiting team at recruiting@suns.com
Phoenix, AZ
Job Summary
Player 15 Group includes several companies and many collaborative departments that support the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Mortgage Matchup Center.
Would you like to win championships and create sustained success? Player 15 Group is looking for individuals who are committed to pursuing excellence, win championships, create sustained success and desire to play a role in creating memorable experiences.
We are seeking a proven and proactive Manager, Network & Systems Operations, to lead a small, high-impact technology team. This is a management role first, focused on setting direction, driving accountability, and ensuring operational excellence across network, systems, and infrastructure functions.
The ideal candidate brings a strong technical foundation and understands how to engage directly when needed, but their primary responsibility is to lead the team, align with stakeholders, and deliver results. Success in this role means building clarity, maintaining standards, and developing both people and process by working across departments to scope, plan, and deliver technical projects with defined outcomes and timelines.
What You Will Do
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead and develop the network, systems, and integration operations team with a focus on clarity, accountability, and high performance
- Provide direction for core systems operations, stepping in during critical issues when needed
- Empower team members to own solutions while serving as an escalation point during high-priority incidents
- Set infrastructure priorities in coordination with Strategic Technology Operations and Helpdesk leadership
- Align team objective with broader organizational goal through intentional planning and partnership.
- Enforce sustainable change management practices with a focus on risk mitigation and clear communication
- Ensure quality documentation and process adherence across systems, hardware, and software
- Maintain and improve core infrastructure services including Cisco UCS (FlexPod), Cisco Networking, Aruba Wireless, NetApp, and Palo Alto firewalls.
- Oversee disaster recovery readiness through robust DRaaS implementation and regular testing
- Maintain systems uptime and reliability through proactive monitoring and issue resolution
- Build and manage strong relationships with key partners including hardware vendors, MSSP, SOC provider.
- Partner with Arena Technology to ensure consistent operational reliability across facilities
- Proven leader with a strong operational mindset, experienced in guiding infrastructure teams, prioritizing effectively, driving accountability, and delivering results in fast-paced environments.
- Technically proficient in Cisco networking (routing, switching, UCS/FlexPod), NetApp, Aruba Wireless, Palo Alto firewalls, and DRaaS solutions, with hands-on capabilities when needed.
- Skilled in vendor management and collaboration, particularly with MSSPs, SOC providers, and infrastructure partners, ensuring strong external partnerships and service delivery.
- Adept at change management, access control, and maintaining clear, thorough operational documentation to support stability and compliance.
- Clear, confident communicator who builds alignment, develops team capabilities, and thrives in service-driven settings—sports or live entertainment experience preferred.
- 5 years of experience leading network and systems operations in enterprise or multi-site environments, with a focus on infrastructure and IT services.
- Strong leadership background with a track record of owning processes, driving operational accountability, and guiding high-performing teams.
- Hands-on expertise in Cisco networking (UCS, routing, switching), VMware, NetApp, Aruba Wireless, Palo Alto firewalls, and DRaaS solutions.
- Skilled in implementing change management, access control, and maintaining clear documentation standards to support security and efficiency.
- Proven success managing vendor relationships, including MSSPs and SOC providers, ensuring effective and secure service delivery.
- Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or a related field; certifications such as CCNP, ITILv4, or CISSP.
- Preferred: Experience in sports, live entertainment, or venue operations.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by Manager, Network & Systems Operations to optimally perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- This role maintains traditional business hours with some game day responsibilities including some evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime as business needs arise.
- Be a part of an on-call rotation.
- This role will require travel to and from Player 15 Group headquarters, to the Arena, to the 5G practice facility, Iron Mountain offsite colocation facility, and Chase Field.
- Medium Work – Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are more than those for Light Work.
- Ability to crawl.
- Ability to climb stairs.
- Ability to ascend or descend ladders and stairs.
- Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
- Moving about accomplishing tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
- Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
- Able to stand for extended periods of time.
- Ability to walk short/long distances.
- This role is computer based and will require extended periods of time working in front of a computer screen.
- Capable of distinguishing colors and shades of color
- Capable of listening carefully and speaking to others on the telephone/two-way radio
- Communicating with others to exchange information.
- Ability to respond quickly to sounds/alarms.
- Ability to see and respond to dangerous situations.
- Ability to Read, Write & Speak in English
- Perks:
- Discounts at Fanatics Team Shop
- Tickets available for Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury games
- Visit our Culture page to learn more about our culture and work environment.
Please note this job description is not crafted to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
For questions about this career opportunity, please contact the People & Culture Recruiting team at recruiting@suns.com