Director, Server Engineering

The Director, Server Engineering is responsible for providing a high-quality, cost-effective processing environment that contributes to achieving corporate and divisional business goals. Includes directing all Windows/Linux hardware and software functions and coordinating the efforts of the Server Engineering group with other computing groups. The Director provides guidance and specifications for server and infrastructure related purchases and enhancements to current practices, policies, procedures, and/or other actions that result in enhanced workflow, reduced costs, increased productivity, increased employee satisfaction. Ensures servers and infrastructure are in compliance with all UMGC requirements. Ensures the department is staffed by high-caliber professionals who are both technically and personally suited to the challenge and supports end users with timely and effective solutions to system needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Direct the engineering of the cloud platform systems, providing a high-quality cost-effective processing environment that contributes to achieving corporate and divisional business goals, including Windows/Linux systems software
• Work with the Server Engineering team to develop and communicate server standards and deployment methodology
• Provide the strategic/capacity management plan for information processing by specifying the current and future roles of the Linux/Windows platforms; identify hardware/software requirements through constantly interfacing with appropriate management levels, user organizations, and vendor organizations and preparing accurate forecasts
• Direct the system engineering functions via annual goals planning and coordinating the efforts of the System Engineering group with other computing groups; maintain both the functionality and stability of the environment at desired levels, and ensure that disaster recovery measures are in place, including periodic testing
• Be responsible for support, repairs, and upgrade of the Windows/Linux cloud computing platform, including hardware and software
• Monitor and control a high level of performance in the areas of computer response, throughput availability, and Windows/Linux support; research and find necessary tools to identify troublesome trends as soon as they appear, analyzing trends and establishing a plan to resolve problems; maintain high service levels for the user community, and establish a method to easily compare the installation's performance against established performance objectives
• Ensure help desk availability; manage training, software selection, and problem distribution methodologies to provide critical support for quick resolution or dispatch of problems encountered by end users; minimize the time to resolve end users' problems or requests
• Provide reports essential to the operating departments of the company
• Prepare and monitor annual Linux, Windows and storage operating budget
• Ensure the department is staffed by high-caliber professionals who are both technically and personally suited to the challenge; motivate, compensate, and provide ongoing technical/management training and career counseling to retain the necessary professional staff required to support the Unix processing environment
• Manage the schedules, procedures, and training of technical staff
• Establish and document processes and procedures to troubleshoot routine technical service and equipment troubles by analyzing, identifying and diagnosing faults and systems
• Implement practices for monitoring the server infrastructure, along with performance metrics and service levels that meet the business's needs
• Recommend purchase of products or services necessary to support the dev, qat, and production operating environments
• Ensure that staff is kept aware of changes and are properly trained, defines service levels, service agreements, and manages the development of the network operations personnel
• Measure and track metrics to raise the bar for team performance and customer service
• Provide superior customer service by executing methodologies and processes to improve call resolutions, manage expectations, and develop strong and stable internal relationships
• Provide cross training opportunities for staff to ensure proper coverage at all times

Skills:

• Proficiency Level Required with MS Office Products: advanced
• Ability to effectively adapt to and apply rapidly changing technology to business need
• Ability to establish and maintain a high level of user trust and confidence in the group's knowledge of, and concern for, users' business needs and information requirements. Solid understanding of major lines of business and the ability to effectively adapt to and apply rapidly changing technology to business needs
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective interpersonal and communications skills; a strong mentor of teamwork and interdepartmental communications

Education & Experience Requirements:

Experience:

• 10 or more years of technical and managerial experience including 4 years of administrative management experience
• At least 7 years of experience managing technical disciplines preferably Linux systems areas, including programming/development experience in major projects; extensive knowledge of related hardware, software, and network communications
• Budget and project management process experience spanning small to large projects in a cross-functional environment
• Demonstrated experience presenting technology recommendations from a business perspective
• A proven track record of managing diverse technical staff and resources in multiple projects through all life-cycle phases in accordance with established direction and standards
• Proficiency with server operating systems (Windows and/or Linux)
• Strong technical understanding and practical use of virtual and cloud computing concepts and environments

Preferred Experience Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree