Associate Director, Network Engineering

Job Description

Description

Overview

The Associate Director, Network Engineering leads NYPL's network infrastructure strategy, operations, and team to ensure secure, reliable connectivity across all library locations. This is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for the architecture, deployment, performance, and security of NYPL's wired, wireless, cloud-based, and telecommunications networks.

Supporting over 92 locations the role collaborates with IT, Capital Planning, and external partners to drive technology modernization while managing risk and maintaining operational excellence. The role also supports the architectural design and network strategy of community-based internet service projects that extend NYPL's reach beyond its physical branches.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:

Own:

Strategic direction and daily operation of NYPL's enterprise network infrastructure

Fortinet ecosystem including FortiGate firewalls, FortiAnalyzer, and FortiManager

Cisco Networks switching and routing environment

AWS networking infrastructure including routing and site-to-site VPN connectivity

Telecommunications architecture and vendor relationships

Network Engineering team performance, resource planning, and career development

Development, reporting, and execution of KPIs, SLAs, and performance metrics

Network security architecture and controls at Internet, datacenter, cloud, and access layers

Management of E-Rate and data/telecommunications agreements.

Teach:

Mentor and develop engineering staff, fostering technical growth and leadership readiness

Build organizational understanding of network services and infrastructure dependencies

Drive collaborative awareness of network impact across capital projects and IT initiatives

Learn:

NYPL's unique operational and public service challenges across distributed sites

Evolving best practices for hybrid network design in public and nonprofit sectors

Tools and processes to improve security, monitoring, automation, and accountability

Improve:

Infrastructure resilience, uptime, and performance monitoring

Cross-team collaboration, planning alignment, and incident response maturity

Network team communication practices, leadership depth, and technical documentation

Some expectations for this role are that within:

1 month, this person will:

Build strong relationships with IT, Cybersecurity, and Capital Planning teams

Begin assessing NYPL's network health, architecture, and documentation

Familiarize with existing performance metrics, tools, and team capabilities

Conduct hands-on validation of network and firewall configurations, VPN tunnels, and WAN circuit health

3 months, this person will:

Develop a roadmap for future network upgrades, tooling improvements, and staffing

Ensure core monitoring, ticketing, and configuration tools are optimized and operational

Begin tracking and reporting service delivery metrics aligned to team goals

Lead expert-level troubleshooting and resolution of high-complexity technical issues across network, cloud, and security systems

6 months and beyond, this person will:

Demonstrate leadership in cross-functional planning and project execution

Deliver measurable improvements in uptime, incident response, and team performance

Lead and support strategic initiatives expanding NYPL’s digital and physical network presence

Lead detailed documentation refresh across network diagrams, runbooks, and failover procedures

Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

Lead and participate in architecture, deployment, and administration of NYPL's enterprise network (Cisco routers/switches, Fortinet firewalls, Aerohive WiFi, AWS networking components)

Manage connectivity across 94+ locations using dark fiber, MPLS, high-speed circuits, secure cloud connections, and telecom infrastructure

Maintain network security through segmentation, firewall policies, VPNs, and NAC integration

Own the Fortinet stack including FortiAnalyzer reporting and FortiManager configuration workflows

Administer AWS networking, including VPC design, Direct Connect, security groups, route tables, and VPN management

Lead technical planning and implementation for capital projects and new site builds

Guide incident response efforts and serve as Tier-3 escalation point for network issues

Define and report on network KPIs including uptime, latency, incident resolution time, and SLA adherence

Lead vendor assessments, equipment evaluations, and procurement processes

Provide network architecture and support for community-based internet service programs extending Library access beyond brick-and-mortar locations

Track and manage all network circuits and connectivity services, including E-rate bidding, contract renewals, and spend management

Collaboration & Communication

Partner with Capital Planning on infrastructure design and timing alignment

Coordinate with Cybersecurity, IT, and Service Delivery teams to ensure end-to-end service health

Clearly communicate risks, project status, and metrics to IT and Library leadership

Lead cross-functional working groups on network-related change initiatives

Work closely with Finance and IT Strategy to track circuit expenditures.

Optimize utilization of Jira and Product Management principles to track and report on work.

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent professional experience

CCNP or equivalent certification in routing, switching, or security

Valid Drivers License

Required Experience

Minimum 8 years of experience administering enterprise-scale network infrastructure across distributed environments

Minimum 5 years of direct team management experience in complex organizational settings

Experience with public sector, nonprofit, or mission-aligned organizations

Proven experience managing telecom and ISP vendor relationships and infrastructure contracts

Required Skills

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences

Strong leadership and people management skills; demonstrated ability to build and motivate high-performing teams

Advanced troubleshooting skills and capacity to operate under pressure during critical incidents

Hands-on expertise with firewalls and platforms (FortiGate, Cisco, etc.)

Hands-on expertise of Cisco IOS, switching/routing protocols (BGP, EIGRP), VPN, ACLs, and LAN security

Hands-on expertise managing enterprise WiFi solutions (Meraki, Extreme, etc.).

Experience with cloud networking (AWS, Azure, GCP) and hybrid environments

Familiarity with network performance and security monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Cacti, WhatsUp)

Strong knowledge of telecom infrastructure and connectivity strategies for distributed sites

Proven ability to define and measure performance metrics, KPIs, and service outcomes

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct management of a team with focus on developing both technical and soft skills. This position reports to the Senior Director, ITIO & Cybersecurity and coordinates executive communications through established IT leadership and communication channels.

More...

Core Values

All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues

Be Resourceful in solving problems

Be Curious in all aspects of your work

Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

Primarily office-based; requires occasional site visits across NYPL locations

On-call availability for network incidents, including evenings and weekends

Physical Duties

Occasional lifting/moving of network equipment

Installation of such equipment in IT closets

Pre-Placement Physical Required?

No

Union/Non Union

Non-Union

FLSA Status

Exempt

Schedule

Hybrid schedule, 3 days on-site

Standard business hours

Occasional weekend and after-hours as required

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.

The New York Public Library Salary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).

Full-time

Hybrid remote