Description Position at HNI Corporation
POSITION SUMMARIESThe Sr. Manager, Enterprise Network Operations is accountable for the reliability, availability, security, and performance of the enterprise network and telecommunications services that connect global business operations. This includes LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, and wireless networks, cloud and data center network connectivity, and voice and unified communications platforms across corporate offices, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, and remote locations.
This position combines hands-on technical leadership with change discipline, modernizing the organization's network and telecom stack while sustaining day-to-day operational stability. The Director leads the enterprise Networking & Telecommunications team and partners with enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, infrastructure and cloud operations, application development, and business leaders to align network capabilities with business needs and digital transformation initiatives.
WORKSITE DETAILSThis is a full-time direct-hire management position with direct reports. This position will be based out of HNI's IT Headquarters in Muscatine, IA and will require at least 50% onsite presence.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIESStrategy & Execution- Define and execute the long-term operational strategy and project roadmap for enterprise networking and telecommunications, including LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, wireless, cloud connectivity, and voice services.
- Collaborate with architects on network roadmaps that support application modernization, digital workplace initiatives, and hybrid cloud connectivity.
- Ensure network architecture and operations align with enterprise architecture standards, cybersecurity requirements, and regulatory compliance.
- Evaluate emerging network technologies and industry best practices to improve reliability, scalability, and cost efficiency.
Network Infrastructure & Connectivity- Oversee the design, administration, and evolution of enterprise LAN, WAN, and SD-WAN environments supporting corporate offices, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers.
- Ensure enterprise wireless networks deliver reliable, secure coverage and performance across office, plant floor, and warehouse environments.
- Ensure reliable and secure connectivity through routing, switching, firewall, VPN, and network access control technologies.
- Oversee cloud and data center network connectivity, including Microsoft Azure, AWS, and OCI network integration, dedicated cloud circuits, and colocation interconnects.
- Support core network services including DNS, DHCP, IPAM, and load balancing in partnership with infrastructure and security teams.
Telecommunications & Unified Communications- Own enterprise telecommunications services, including VoIP, PBX, SIP trunking, contact center connectivity, and UCaaS communications platforms.
- Manage carrier and circuit portfolios, including wavelength services, MPLS, dedicated internet access, broadband, satellite, and cellular/LTE failover.
- Ensure voice and collaboration services meet enterprise quality, availability, and security standards.
- Partner with facilities and manufacturing teams on structured cabling, plant floor connectivity, IoT/PLC segmentation and new site build-outs.
- Oversee network capacity planning and bandwidth management across sites and cloud connections.
Network Operations & Reliability- Maintain ITIL-aligned service management practices for incident, problem, and change management across network and telecom services.
- Owns service level objectives (SLOs) and ensure network and telecom services meet enterprise availability and performance targets.
- Apply reliability engineering practices - observability, performance engineering, and resilient design - to sustain high availability of critical network paths, circuits, and voice services.
- Establish alerting and incident response practices, including major incident command for network outages.
- Implement network automation and configuration management capabilities using Infrastructure as Code tools.
- Oversee network monitoring, telemetry, and flow and packet analysis platforms such as SolarWinds to maintain performance and service reliability.
Security, Risk & Compliance- Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to implement secure network architectures and enforce network security standards, including segmentation and zero trust access models.
- Ensure network platforms support corporate security policies, secure remote access, and least-privilege access models.
- Participate in enterprise risk management, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning for network and telecommunications services.
Vendor, Carrier & Technology Management- Manage relationships with key network vendors, carriers, service providers, and telecommunications partners.
- Oversee procurement, contract negotiation, evaluation, and lifecycle management of network and telecom technologies.
- Develop vendor and carrier strategies that balance cost efficiency, performance, and operational reliability.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement- Partner with IT leadership, infrastructure and cloud, application development, end user computing, and business stakeholders to translate connectivity needs into technical solutions.
- Communicate network strategy, risks, and performance metrics to senior leadership.
- Lead cross-functional initiatives supporting site openings, cloud migrations, network refreshes, and telecom modernization.
EXPERIENCE- 10+ years of progressive experience in enterprise network engineering, network operations, or telecommunications roles.
- 5+ years of experience leading network or telecommunications engineering teams.
- Experience managing network connectivity across hybrid environments spanning cloud and on-premises platforms.
- Strong background in enterprise network architecture, routing and switching, and network operations at scale.
- Experience supporting large multi-site enterprise environments, including manufacturing or distribution facilities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS- Master's degree in Information Systems, Technology Management, or Business Administration preferred
- Industry certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, or equivalent network or telecom credentials
RELEVANT SKILLS- Strategic network leadership combined with strong hands-on technical depth
- Ability to balance operational stability with long-term network modernization
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- Effective communication with both technical and business stakeholders
- Ability to lead high-performing global network engineering teams in complex technical environments
- Strong carrier, vendor management, and technology evaluation skills
WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU! 
