Network Operations Manager

*Hybrid Position*

The Manager, Network Operations leads the team responsible for designing, operating, and securing Firstrust Bank's enterprise network and server infrastructure. This role oversees a team of Network Administrators and is accountable for network connectivity (LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, wireless), server operations across on-premises and cloud environments, voice and collaboration platforms, and escalated technical support from the Technical Support Group (TSG). The Manager drives architecture, lifecycle planning, and project delivery for core and branch networking, firewalls, hybrid-cloud platforms, and backup and disaster recovery systems. Working closely with Information Security, the role maintains a security-first operating posture across the bank and ensures readiness for internal audits and regulatory examinations.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leadership and Team Management: Lead, coach, and develop a team of Network Administrators. Set team goals and foster a collaborative, high-performing, and security-conscious culture.
• Network Infrastructure: Oversee the design, deployment, and lifecycle management of LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, core and branch switching, firewalls, VPN, and wireless environments across the corporate headquarters, data centers, and branch network.
• Server and Cloud Operations: Manage the Windows server environment across on-premises, virtualized (VMware/Hyper-V), and Microsoft Azure platforms. Oversee hybrid Active Directory / Entra ID, Intune, and Microsoft 365 infrastructure to ensure reliability, scalability, and secure access.
• Security and Compliance: Partner with the Information Security team on firewall policy, network segmentation, patching, vulnerability remediation, endpoint protection, and secure remote access (Cato SDP). Support internal audits and regulatory examinations (FFIEC, SOX, and other applicable frameworks). Collaborate on business continuity and disaster recovery
• Project Delivery: Architect and deliver infrastructure projects - including branch network refreshes, cloud migrations, telephony and collaboration modernization, and segmentation initiatives - on time and within budget.
• Operational Excellence: Monitor performance, availability, and capacity across the infrastructure. Define, track, and report on key operational metrics. Lead incident response and post-incident reviews and drive continuous improvement.
• Change Management and Documentation: Enforce change management standards and maintain current network diagrams, runbooks, configuration records, and standard operating procedures.
• Escalation Support: Serve as the escalation point for level 1 and 2 support on complex network and server issues and provide subject-matter expertise across the IT organization.
• Budgeting and Planning: Assist in the development of capital and operating budgets for network and infrastructure. Forecast hardware and software lifecycle needs and contribute to long-term technology planning.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Application Development, Database Administration, Technical Support, and Information Security to support enterprise initiatives and deliver cohesive technology services to the business.
• Other Duties: Perform special projects and additional responsibilities as directed by the Director of Infrastructure and Data Operations

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Regularly required to drive a motor vehicle, occasional air travel, attending meetings at various venues, including but not limited to customers' offices and/or properties, restaurants and other meeting locations, and ascend/descend stairs and or ladders occasionally to perform inspections.
• The employee may be required to lift files/materials up to 20 pounds to take to various locations.
• The incumbent will be expected to operate a computer terminal.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer

POTENITAL ON-THE-JOB-RISKS:

• None identified.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in network operations, infrastructure engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of direct supervisory experience managing a technical team (3 or more reports).
• Strong hands-on experience with enterprise LAN, WAN, routing, switching, firewalls, VPN, and wireless technologies.
• Solid experience administering Microsoft Windows Server, Active Directory, and Microsoft Azure (or equivalent public cloud platform).
• Experience with virtualization and hyperconverged infrastructure (VMware and/or Hyper-V).
• Working knowledge of enterprise backup and disaster recovery practices and technologies.
• Demonstrated vendor management and contract negotiation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for business audiences.
• Ability to work after hours and to participate in an on-call rotation as required.
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel).

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior experience in a regulated industry, ideally banking or financial services.
• Industry certifications such as CCNP/CCIE, CompTIA Network+ or Security+, Microsoft Azure (AZ-104, AZ-305), VMware VCP, or ITIL.
• Hands-on experience with Extreme Networks switching
• Experience administering Microsoft Intune, Entra ID, and hybrid Active Directory environments.
• Experience supporting FFIEC, SOX, PCI, or similar regulatory examinations and audits.
• Experience migrating on-premises workloads to Azure or other public cloud platforms.
• Experience designing and deploying SD-WAN or software-defined networking solutions