Deputy Chief Networking Officer

🚨 Hiring: Deputy Chief Networking Officer (D-CIO) – 12 Years Experience 🚨

📍 Location: Philadelphia, PA

🏠 Work Model: Hybrid (2 Days Onsite / 3 Days Remote)

🛂 Visa: US Citizens Only (Local Candidates Preferred)

Job Description

This role involves managing the planning, implementation, and maintenance of network systems to ensure optimal performance, security, and scalability. The Deputy CIO of Networking works closely with the CIO to develop and execute strategic initiatives that align with the organization's goals and ensures that all networking operations support these objectives. The DCIO will have extensive experience in networking technologies, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of emerging trends in network architecture.

Executive Search Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a strategy for position advertisement and marketing.
• Identify, qualify, and assess potential candidates.
• Present qualified candidates to the City of Philadelphia's Office of Innovation and Technology Leadership Team.
• Support the Leadership Team during the negotiation phase with the selected candidate.

Work Activities

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with the CIO to develop and implement networking strategies that align with the organization's overall IT roadmap.
• Lead the design and deployment of innovative networking solutions to meet the organization's current and future needs.
• Stay informed of emerging technologies and trends in networking to ensure the organization remains at the forefront of technological advancement.

Network Infrastructure Management

Network Design and Architecture

• Design, implement, and maintain the organization's network infrastructure, including LAN, WAN, VPNs, and cloud-based networking solutions.
• Evaluate new networking technologies, tools, and systems to enhance performance, scalability, and security.
• Plan and deploy network expansions, upgrades, or replacements to meet growing business needs.

Network Operations and Maintenance

• Ensure the continuous, uninterrupted operation of the organization's network systems, maintaining high uptime and availability.
• Monitor network performance, troubleshoot network problems, and perform regular maintenance.
• Develop and maintain network documentation, including diagrams, configurations, and procedures.

Security Management

• Implement and enforce network security protocols, including firewalls, encryption, IDS/IPS systems, and access controls.
• Conduct regular security audits, vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing to identify and mitigate risks.
• Respond to network security incidents, implementing incident response strategies and reporting breaches when necessary.
• Manage network security protocols, including firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and encryption technologies to protect organizational data.

Network Performance Monitoring and Optimization

• Use network management tools to monitor bandwidth usage, traffic patterns, and overall network performance.
• Optimize network configurations for efficiency, load balancing, and redundancy.
• Identify and address bottlenecks or performance issues, ensuring minimal downtime or degradation in network services.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

• Develop and implement network disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
• Ensure data backup, replication, and failover systems are in place to support the recovery of network services during emergencies.
• Regularly test disaster recovery protocols and update plans as needed.

Vendor Management

• Research and assess potential vendors for networking hardware, software, and services.
• Develop evaluation criteria, including reliability, technical support, pricing, and service level agreements (SLAs).
• Negotiate terms and pricing with selected vendors to secure favorable contracts.
• Ensure contracts comply with city policies and legal requirements.
• Monitor vendor performance against SLAs and KPIs.
• Foster strong vendor relationships and serve as the primary point of contact.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with vendor partnerships.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure vendor solutions align with organizational needs.

Networking Budget Management

• Assist in preparing the networking budget aligned with organizational goals.
• Analyze networking costs and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Monitor expenditures and ensure compliance with financial policies.
• Prioritize spending and recommend resource reallocations as needed.
• Develop financial forecasts and prepare budget justifications.
• Generate reports on budget performance, vendor expenditures, and ROI.

Operational Responsibilities

• Ensure all network systems comply with regulatory requirements and organizational policies.
• Develop and implement disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and implement mitigation measures.
• Ensure adherence to organizational policies within network teams.
• Oversee budgets related to network operations and team development.
• Analyze performance metrics and prepare reports for senior management.
• Collaborate across departments to align networking initiatives with organizational goals.
• Engage stakeholders and integrate networking strategies with broader IT initiatives.
• Serve as a networking subject matter expert.
• Drive process improvement and leverage technology to enhance operational efficiency.

Required Skills & Experience

• Network Systems Certification: JNCIP (Juniper Networks Certified Internet Professional) is mandatory or measurable work experience totaling at least 5 years.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Communications, Information Technology, or a closely related field.
• 10–15 years of infrastructure and data center experience, including at least 3 years of leadership experience managing multiple large cross-functional teams or projects and influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders.
• 5 years of managerial or supervisory experience planning, developing, managing, or implementing a comparatively sized or larger data center, or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable to the Office of Innovation and Technology and Human Resources.

📩 If you meet the above requirements and are interested in this opportunity, please share your updated resume.