Director of Infrastructure Systems & Software, Remote w/travel

Internet2 is a non-profit, member-driven advanced research and higher education technology community. Founded in 1996, Internet2 provides and delivers mission-critical technology services and programs. Internet2's core infrastructure components include the nation's largest and fastest network, cloud and security services that are influenced, customized, and designed to address the unique needs of technology leaders in research and education. Internet2 serves and supports U.S. and international institutions, government agencies, regional and state education networks, leading industry providers, and national research and education network partners across more than 100 countries. Internet2 services and programs support their educational, research and community service mission and enhance how individuals communicate, collaborate, and innovate.

Position Overview:

The Director of Infrastructure Systems & Software provides strategic leadership for Internet2's Network Services division, establishing and executing the infrastructure systems and software strategy while managing the Infrastructure Systems & Software (ISS) team. Working collaboratively with senior leadership, cross-divisional teams, and Internet2's research and education membership community, this role drives the organization's research, evaluation, and adoption of innovative technologies across user experience design and development, network automation and orchestration, performance testing and monitoring, and network telemetry collection and analysis. 

The position requires a combination of strategic leadership capabilities and technical expertise spanning network engineering, cloud architecture, system administration, software development, and user experience design. The Director participates in Tier 5 on-call responsibilities for ISS-managed systems and services, ensuring operational excellence while advancing Internet2's mission to support advanced research and education networking.

This role requires a servant-leadership approach that emphasizes team empowerment, removes organizational barriers, and fosters an environment where team members can develop mastery and find purpose in their work while maintaining healthy professional boundaries.

This fully remote position involves travel and extensive community engagement, reporting directly to the Vice President of Network Services.

Responsibilities:

• Lead systems and software efforts for Network Services; participate in planning and prioritization in collaboration with the other Network Services leads.
• Determine overall strategy, develop roadmaps and initiate projects.
• Manage operational work within the primary domains of user experience design and development; network modeling, automation, and orchestration; network performance testing and monitoring; and network telemetry collection and analysis.
• Represent the systems and software vision, direction, and activities of Internet2 Network Services in organizational, community, regional, national, and international technology forums to build interest, solicit input, and share accomplishments.
• Manage the Infrastructure Systems & Software team within Network Services, including defining team structure and process, leading hiring and development efforts, conducting regular one-on-one check-ins and annual goal setting and performance reviews, and developing annual budget estimations. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related technical field, or equivalent professional experience demonstrating comparable technical competency.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience combining project management, system administration, network engineering, software development, and/or user experience design responsibilities in complex technical environments.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and organizational leadership capabilities, with proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage geographically distributed projects, and coordinate initiatives across multiple organizational levels and stakeholder groups.
• Advanced customer service and relationship management skills, demonstrating effectiveness in communicating complex technical concepts to diverse audiences including both technical specialists and non-technical community members.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and collaborative management approach, with proven ability to foster team autonomy while providing strategic guidance through inquiry-based leadership rather than micromanagement.
• Experience advocating for team members' professional development, career advancement, and work-life balance while effectively managing organizational pressures and cross-functional relationships.
• Proven self-direction and collaborative leadership abilities, with demonstrated success working independently while contributing effectively to distributed, team-based organizational structures.
• Ability to travel as necessary

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA or other graduate level degree. 
• Professional experience within academic, research, or higher education technology environments, with understanding of research and education networking requirements and community dynamics.
• Direct management experience overseeing Python-based software product development, including framework selection, development practices, and production deployment strategies.
• Proven experience leading REST API design, development, and deployment initiatives, including API versioning, documentation, and integration management.

What We Offer

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible to participate in Internet2’s employee benefits program effective on your start date in accordance with the terms and conditions of each plan. The program currently includes medical, dental, life, vision and disability insurances, a health spending account program, sick time, vacation time and a tax deferred retirement plan.

Salary Range / Pay Grade:

$160,800 - $241,200 / IT-7 

Starting pay is typically from the minimum ($160,800) up to the midpoint ($201,000) of the salary range and varies based on experience.

Internet2 is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and equal opportunity employer (EOE).  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.