This is an exciting time to join Upland Capital Group!  Come join the team that loves technology and creative solutions!  The AVP, Network and Cloud Architecture's role is to plan, organize and manage staff and overall operations to ensure the stable operation of the organization's IT infrastructure.  This includes developing, maintaining, supporting and optimizing key functional areas, particularly cloud network infrastructure, server infrastructure, container environments, data communications, telecommunications systems and monitoring and control of security patching and compliance.  The AVP, Network and Cloud Architecture will also schedule and direct activities to resolve hardware, software, security and cloud related problems in a timely and accurate fashion.

This position is responsible for leading the implementation and maintenance of our Azure cloud environment, inclusive of Office 365.  The candidate will define the strategy, governance and policy around Azure services and serve as the technical solution architect on implementing multiple Azure services, applications, infrastructure and security.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

STRATEGY & PLANNING 

• Design and implement short and long term strategic plans to ensure infrastructure capacity meets existing and future requirements

• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and associated training plans for infrastructure administration and project management

• Participate in the development of IT strategies in collaboration with the executive team

• Review existing Azure environment architecture and provide recommendations if re-architect or changes are necessary for management review and approval 

• Conduct research and make recommendations on products, services, protocols, policies, and standards in support of all infrastructure procurement and development efforts

• Establish service level agreements with business units

 ACQUISITION & DEPLOYMENT

• Prepare RFPs, bid proposals, contracts, scope of work reports, and other documentation for infrastructure projects and associated efforts

• Negotiate with vendors, outsourcers, and contractors to secure infrastructure-specific products and services

• Assist with the planning and deployment of infrastructure security measures

• Be the SME for our data project that will work with a trusted partner to build our environment out

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

• Manage and set priorities for the design, maintenance, development, and evaluation of all infrastructure systems, including LANs, WANs, Internet, intranet, security, wireless implementations, and cloud configurations

• Conduct feasibility studies for various upgrade projects, improvements, and other conversions

• Define hardware and software standards in conjunction with owners and stakeholders

• Test network performance and provide network performance statistics and reports; develop strategies for maintaining network infrastructure

• Test server performance and provide network performance statistics and reports; develop strategies for maintaining server infrastructure

• Implement technical policies to defend against cyber threats

• Manage datalakes, repositories, clusters for data computing, SQL server, etc.

• Provision and maintain VPNs, SASE models, and SD-WAN 

• Assure IT policies are accurate by providing updates and creating process documentation for compliance

• Manage operational costs; conduct near and long term financial forecasts for expanded functionality/user base, including monitoring of Azure based costs

• Establish and maintain regular written and in-person communications with the organization’s executives, decision-makers, stakeholders, department heads, and end users regarding pertinent infrastructure activities

• Practice IT asset management, including maintenance of component inventory and related documentation

• Direct and administrate a contingent of IT support staff, and where necessary, conduct performance reviews and corrective action

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

FORMAL EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION 

• Four-year university degree or college diploma in the field of computer science and/or 10+ years equivalent work experience in cloud architecture and/or network maintenance

• Preferred Certifications in Azure/Microsoft, CISM, CISSP, CCNA, etc.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE 

• 10+ years of experience managing and delivering infrastructure design and operational excellence

• Exceptional knowledge of service and application delivery, as well as successful service level agreement accomplishments

• 5+ years successful leadership of an infrastructure team

• Hands-on experience in troubleshooting hardware

• Knowledge of current protocols and standards, including Azure cloud fundamentals, network security groups, VLANs, etc.  

• Conversant/knowledgeable of cloud deployments including Kubernetes, docker, containers, pods, etc.  

• Experience in insurance preferred but not required

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES 

• Ability to make sound and logical judgments

• Demonstrated leadership and personnel/project management skills

• Good understanding of the organization’s goals and objectives

• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills

• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment and make sound decisions in emergency situations 

• Ability to present ideas in a user-friendly language

• Highly self-motivated and directed

• Keen attention to detail

• Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities

• Strong customer service orientation

• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment

 WORK CONDITIONS  

• On-call availability

• Sitting for extended periods of time

• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard,  mouse, power tools and to handle other computer components

• Occasional inspection of cables in floors and ceilings

• Lifting and transporting of moderately heavy objects, such as computers and peripherals