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.
Department
Information Technology
Employment Type
Full Time
Location
Crystal Building 40 W20th St
Workplace type
Hybrid
Compensation
$145,000 - $175,000 / year
Reporting To
Jay Haque
This role's hiring manager:
Jay Haque
View Jay's Profile
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).
About The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org.
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