This hands-on leadership role manages the IT network team responsible for Optum Serve's data network, security operations, and data center facility systems. The role oversees data center operations, network switching technologies, Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI), load balancing technologies, internal and external DNS, and firewalls. This position partners closely with the Senior Infrastructure Architect, IT Operations, and other IT leaders to support the execution of business objectives and technology strategy across Optum Serve. The leader in this role is accountable for managing the network infrastructure that supports business operations and serves as the ultimate escalation point for a large, complex environment.

This role oversees more than 500 network devices across six data centers supporting three distinct lines of business, as well as approximately 350 network devices across 150 Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) clinic locations. The position participates in technology war rooms, leads problem management activities, and regularly interfaces with IT leadership, application teams, and business stakeholders.

This leader is responsible for maintaining the secure, balanced, and uninterrupted operation of Optum Serve's core network services within its data centers. The role also serves as the primary point of contact for security and processing audits related to network infrastructure and operations. Responsibilities include oversight of network infrastructure, WAN, LAN, load balancers, firewalls, IPv4/IPv6, BGP, VXLAN, EVPN, and related hardware appliances. In addition, this position provides leadership for patching and hardening, configuration management, monitoring, maintenance, and issue resolution across managed network systems that support core business operations.

Work is driven by direct leadership, assigned projects, operational backlogs, and business requests. This role is accountable for administration of the network layer and supporting technologies, evaluation of modern solutions, delivery of modernization initiatives, operational excellence, and ownership of network automation efforts. The position partners across Optum Serve IT to execute and maintain technologies critical to organizational success. requests. You will be accountable for the administration of the network layer & underlying technologies, research of modern technologies, modernization projects, and maintaining operational excellence and own the network automation efforts. This position partners across Optum Serve IT in the execution and maintenance of technologies key to Optum Serveʼs success.

Managed technologies include, but are not limited to, ISP data circuits, Azure ExpressRoute circuits, Cisco network hardware, Cisco ACI, Cisco firewalls, Palo Alto firewalls and VPN, Cisco and Aruba wireless hardware, NetBox, ForeScout, Ubiquiti network hardware, AlgoSec, NetScaler and F5 load balancers, and Infoblox DNS. Team members in this role may also support network automation and Microsoft Azure management, including infrastructure as code, Terraform, Ansible, Python, Azure DNS, Kubernetes networking, Azure networking, Azure Government cloud, and Azure commercial cloud.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage a highly available data network environment
• Set team direction, resolve issues, and provide guidance and leadership to team members
• Adapt departmental plans and priorities to address business and operational challenges
• Lead the engineering and operations of network technologies, including LAN/WAN, VPN, data center, remote sites, teleworkers, firewalls, and IPS/IDS
• Manage physical installations and cabling for data center infrastructure, including servers, storage, network, and telecom systems
• Oversee data center facilities, including power and cooling systems
• Lead, educate, and grow the team's technical capabilities through current- and future-state technology training
• Provide guidance to IT teams and partners in support of audits, network operations, and data center operations
• Oversee and implement network and data center projects that support business initiatives
• Design and implement scalable solutions that support organizational growth
• Ensure documentation is created, maintained, and kept accurate
• Develop and improve processes and procedures related to maintenance, automation, containerization, system testing, and functional validation
• Assist with technology assessments, evaluations, and product recommendations to support information security and infrastructure goals
• Guide staff in troubleshooting issues and supporting systems and IT services
• Oversee centralized documentation of the network footprint
• Create and update IT standard operating procedures for business services
• Maintain appropriate software and hardware licensing documentation
• Oversee the environment and daily network operations
• Partner with Engineering and Architecture teams on assessments, evaluations, proof of concept work, and recommendations for products and services
• Manage team on-call rotations and serve as an escalation point for after-hours support
• Work off-hours as job responsibilities require
• Perform other duties as assigned

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• 6+ years of experience as a Network Systems Administrator
• 3+ years of IT operations and related dependencies
• 3+ years of experience with end-to-end system dependencies across infrastructure, systems, data, telecom, desktop, and mobile environments
• 3+ years of experience coaching and leading IT professionals across multiple disciplines
• 2+ years of data communications standards and implementations
• Willing or ability to participate in a 24x7 on-call rotation
• Willing or ability to work off-hours as job responsibilities require

Preferred Qualifications

• Current CCNP certification
• Certifications and hands-on experience with Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, EMC, and related technologies
• Scripting experience with Bash, Python, or PowerShell
• Experience managing infrastructure as code using Terraform, CloudFormation, or similar technologies
• Experience with OS and application hardening in compliance-driven environments, including DISA, NIST, VA6500, and HIPAA
• Experience deploying and maintaining business solutions in Microsoft Azure
• Experience with DevOps CI/CD workflows
• Experience with VMware technologies such as vRealize, ESXi, and Workstation Pro
• Experience with Cisco ACI or other SDN technologies supporting the Kubernetes networking model
• ITIL or other ITSM framework certification
• Experience with Cisco UCS and EMC enterprise products
• Experience with automation tools such as SCCM and Orchestrator
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code practices and tools
• DOD, VA, or military experience
• DOD, VA, or military clearances
• National Career Readiness Certificate

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $112,700 to $193,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.