Director - IT Infrastructure and Security
Big Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
Full Time
1 day ago
$110,000 - $120,000 USD
Key skills
AWSAzureLeadershipProject ManagementStrategic PlanningBudgetingMentoringCommunicationDecision MakingCollaboration
About this role
Position Title:
Director - IT Infrastructure and Security
Location:
Big Rapids (Main Campus)
Department:
The successful candidate will bring a strong technical background, particularly in network architecture, engineering, and server administration, along with a good understanding of Information Security. Experience in managing technical teams and advancing institutional needs through the use of technology.
This is an on-site, in-person position at Ferris University in Big Rapids, Michigan. Position Type: Staff Required Education: Bachelor’s degree. Required Work Experience: • 8–10 years of progressive IT experience, with at least 4 years leading a network engineering team.
• Strong background as a senior network engineer.
• Experience supervising technical teams and managing complex IT operations.
• Knowledge of networking, routing, DNS, DHCP, RADIUS, Wi-Fi, NAC, SAN, virtualization, server support, Office 365, Check Point firewalls, and cybersecurity.
• Experience with budgeting, procurement, RFP/RFQ processes, and vendor management.
• Strong leadership, communication, multitasking, and decision‑making skills.
Required Licenses and Certifications: Physical Demands:
• Professional certifications (CCNP, CISSP, CISM, VMware, etc.).
• Experience in higher education IT.
• Experience managing security programs or modernization initiatives. Essential Duties/Responsibilities: Leadership & Management
• Provide leadership, direction, and supervision for network engineering, systems administration, and information security teams.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused culture emphasizing communication, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Develop staff through mentoring, performance management, and professional development.
• Partner with IT leadership to develop long-term technology strategies.
Strategic Planning & Governance
• Oversee and implement a multi-year technology roadmap to modernize systems, workflows, and data practices, and improve data-driven decision making.
• Lead planning and implementation of infrastructure modernization and security initiatives.
• Participate in IT governance processes to ensure alignment with institutional priorities.
• Oversees audits of the company’s existing policies and standards; proactively identifies gaps, presents solutions, and actively manages the company’s risk register while working across teams to reduce risk.
• Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.
• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.
Technical Oversight
• Oversee the university’s network infrastructure, including routing, switching, DNS, DHCP, RADIUS, Wi-Fi, and NAC.
• Oversee the Microsoft 365 platform, driving strategy, security, and continuous improvement to align with organizational goals and user needs.
• Oversee the server virtualization, SAN storage, Microsoft 365, directory services, and enterprise hosting.
• Direct information security operations, including risk assessments and incident response.
• Serve as a senior technical advisor for complex infrastructure challenges.
Budgeting, Procurement & Vendor Management
• Develop and manage IT budgets ensuring responsible use of resources and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Oversee procurement including quotes, RFPs, and RFQs.
• Negotiate contracts, manage licensing, and evaluate vendor performance.
Operational Responsibilities
• Ensure documentation, monitoring, patching, and capacity processes are followed.
• Coordinate disaster recovery and business continuity efforts and planning.
• Maintain compliance with regulations related to information security.
• Support campus operational needs through effective service delivery.
• May provide project management to IT projects as well as institutional projects.
• Prioritize and oversee major technology initiatives with clear ownership and measurable outcomes. Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: Student Employee hiring process, training, and evaluations.
University-wide committees and advisory groups.
Support of the Help desk, Desktop support, and Hardware support groups. Skills and Abilities: Leadership & Strategy: Proven ability to lead IT teams, foster innovation, and align technical strategies with business goals.
IT Infrastructure & Security: In-depth knowledge of system administration, network architecture, cloud services (AWS, Azure), and, most importantly, cybersecurity frameworks for data protection.
Risk & Incident Management: Ability to identify security risks, develop contingency plans, and manage incident responses.
Project & Vendor Management: Expertise in managing complex, long-term technical projects and negotiating with vendors to ensure Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are met.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to communicate complex security threats and technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders or board members. Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences. Required Documents:
Transcripts must include the institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalists will be required to submit an official transcript. Initial Application Review Date:
March 30, 2026 Open Until Position is Filled?: Yes Posting Close Date:
EEO Statement: Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement. Click here to learn more about working at FSU and KCAD.
54000 - Information Technology Services
Advertised Salary: $110,000 to $120,000, Salary commensurate with education, experiences and other requirements. Benefits:Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.
Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans
FLSA: Exempt Temporary/Continuing: Continuing Part-Time/Full-Time: Full-Time Union Group: N/A Term of Position: 12 Month At Will/Just Cause: At Will Summary of Position: The Director - IT Infrastructure and Security is a key leadership role within the university’s Information Technology department. This position oversees the Network Services team, Systems Administration/Architecture team, and Information Security office, providing strategic and operational leadership to ensure the stability, security, and performance of the institution’s core technology infrastructure.The successful candidate will bring a strong technical background, particularly in network architecture, engineering, and server administration, along with a good understanding of Information Security. Experience in managing technical teams and advancing institutional needs through the use of technology.
This is an on-site, in-person position at Ferris University in Big Rapids, Michigan. Position Type: Staff Required Education: Bachelor’s degree. Required Work Experience: • 8–10 years of progressive IT experience, with at least 4 years leading a network engineering team.
• Strong background as a senior network engineer.
• Experience supervising technical teams and managing complex IT operations.
• Knowledge of networking, routing, DNS, DHCP, RADIUS, Wi-Fi, NAC, SAN, virtualization, server support, Office 365, Check Point firewalls, and cybersecurity.
• Experience with budgeting, procurement, RFP/RFQ processes, and vendor management.
• Strong leadership, communication, multitasking, and decision‑making skills.
Required Licenses and Certifications: Physical Demands:
- Office Environment
- Moving
- Reaching
- Sitting
- Twisting
- Repetitive movement
- Standing
• Professional certifications (CCNP, CISSP, CISM, VMware, etc.).
• Experience in higher education IT.
• Experience managing security programs or modernization initiatives. Essential Duties/Responsibilities: Leadership & Management
• Provide leadership, direction, and supervision for network engineering, systems administration, and information security teams.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused culture emphasizing communication, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Develop staff through mentoring, performance management, and professional development.
• Partner with IT leadership to develop long-term technology strategies.
Strategic Planning & Governance
• Oversee and implement a multi-year technology roadmap to modernize systems, workflows, and data practices, and improve data-driven decision making.
• Lead planning and implementation of infrastructure modernization and security initiatives.
• Participate in IT governance processes to ensure alignment with institutional priorities.
• Oversees audits of the company’s existing policies and standards; proactively identifies gaps, presents solutions, and actively manages the company’s risk register while working across teams to reduce risk.
• Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.
• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.
Technical Oversight
• Oversee the university’s network infrastructure, including routing, switching, DNS, DHCP, RADIUS, Wi-Fi, and NAC.
• Oversee the Microsoft 365 platform, driving strategy, security, and continuous improvement to align with organizational goals and user needs.
• Oversee the server virtualization, SAN storage, Microsoft 365, directory services, and enterprise hosting.
• Direct information security operations, including risk assessments and incident response.
• Serve as a senior technical advisor for complex infrastructure challenges.
Budgeting, Procurement & Vendor Management
• Develop and manage IT budgets ensuring responsible use of resources and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Oversee procurement including quotes, RFPs, and RFQs.
• Negotiate contracts, manage licensing, and evaluate vendor performance.
Operational Responsibilities
• Ensure documentation, monitoring, patching, and capacity processes are followed.
• Coordinate disaster recovery and business continuity efforts and planning.
• Maintain compliance with regulations related to information security.
• Support campus operational needs through effective service delivery.
• May provide project management to IT projects as well as institutional projects.
• Prioritize and oversee major technology initiatives with clear ownership and measurable outcomes. Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: Student Employee hiring process, training, and evaluations.
University-wide committees and advisory groups.
Support of the Help desk, Desktop support, and Hardware support groups. Skills and Abilities: Leadership & Strategy: Proven ability to lead IT teams, foster innovation, and align technical strategies with business goals.
IT Infrastructure & Security: In-depth knowledge of system administration, network architecture, cloud services (AWS, Azure), and, most importantly, cybersecurity frameworks for data protection.
Risk & Incident Management: Ability to identify security risks, develop contingency plans, and manage incident responses.
Project & Vendor Management: Expertise in managing complex, long-term technical projects and negotiating with vendors to ensure Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are met.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to communicate complex security threats and technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders or board members. Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences. Required Documents:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Unofficial Transcript 1
Transcripts must include the institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalists will be required to submit an official transcript. Initial Application Review Date:
March 30, 2026 Open Until Position is Filled?: Yes Posting Close Date:
EEO Statement: Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement. Click here to learn more about working at FSU and KCAD.