Associate Director of Network and Data Center Operations

Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

College/Unit/Department website: eits.uga.edu

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS or ORP

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time: Full Time

Additional Schedule Information: 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday. Occasional after-hours as needed.

Advertised Salary: Up to 124,000

Posting Date: 09/02/2026

Open until filled: Yes

Proposed Starting Date: 10/01/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

• Please provide name and contact information for three professional references
• This is a full-time, onsite position
• This position is not eligible for work authorization sponsorship

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Classification Title: University Data Center Manager

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: 1.00

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent plus 10 years of professional experience to include 3 years of supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Progressive leadership experience managing technical operations teams in a complex enterprise environment.
• Experience managing both enterprise network and mission-critical data center operations.
• Experience coordinating data center facilities infrastructure, including electrical power, cooling, fire suppression, environmental monitoring, and physical security.
• Demonstrated experience with infrastructure capacity planning, lifecycle management, budgeting, and modernization.
• Experience leading high-impact incidents and coordinating across IT, facilities, vendors, leadership, and customer organizations.
• Experience managing critical infrastructure in a 24×7 environment.

Position Summary

This position manages the Data Center Operations, Facilities Management, Cellular, and Network Operations teams. This position will also assist in infrastructure projects as needed to complete any related projects and delivery of services.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

Knowledge of project management and ability to effectively manage multiple priorities. People skills or equivalent development skills around leadership.

Physical Demands: Normal office environment. Driving.

Is driving a responsibility of this position?: Yes

Is this a Position of Trust?: Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?: No

Does this position require a P-Card?: No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?: No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?: No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications): Yes

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

I. Manage the Operations, Facilities, Cellular, and Network Operations teams under the direction of the Associate CIO.

• Perform the day-to-day management of staffing and project/service delivery for the unit.
• Establish and administer capacity planning and performance monitoring procedures.
• Support staff development and training.
• Establish and maintain effective customer service requirements for the Boyd Hosting, NOC, BOR, GACRC, and EITS areas of the Boyd Data Center. Establish and maintain effective customer service requirements for the Peabody and HSC data center facilities. Establish and maintain effective customer service requirements for MDF and IDF facilities in campus buildings and delivery of NOC project and services.
• Develop divisional standards, policies, and procedures

Percentage of time: 40

Duties/Responsibilities:

II. Develop and Achieve strategic requirements/objectives and provide information regarding projects and operations.

• Report activities, problems and solutions to the Associate CIO
• Provide direction for Data Center projects, operating standards, systems monitoring, problem identification and resolution and reporting processes.
• Manage inventory processes for network and server/storage resources within the purview of teams managed.
• Manage projects, initiatives, and resources required to support UGA core and network services.
• Provide budget estimates for equipment, maintenance, staff training and other operating costs.
• Develop and evaluate agreements and contracts, develop budgets, and develop and submit projects in EITS systems (e.g. Team Dynamics)
• Establish and evaluate Data Center/NOC modernization and growth strategies.
• Plan and coordinate changes to the Data Center environment including: equipment additions, upgrades or removals, electrical and HVAC services, fire suppression systems and security.

Percentage of time: 40

Duties/Responsibilities:

III. Participates in organizational and committee meetings Participates in committees and work groups to support the objectives of EITS and UGA. Collaborates, partners, and develops relationships with campus units as needed.

Percentage of time: 10

Duties/Responsibilities:

IV. Technology impact analysis- Review new technologies for improvements in the NOC, Cellular, and data center environments. Review new technologies that can improve the current equipment and applications for UGA Faculty, Students, and Staff.

Percentage of time: 5

Other duties as assigned by Associate CIO.

Percentage of time: 5

Contact Details

For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact Name: Steven Duffee

Recruitment Contact Email: sduffee@uga.edu