Senior Manager, IT Datacenter & Server Operations

SALARY

$130,000 - $160,000

POSITION SUMMARY

Oversees and manages the daily operations of the organization's data centers, including the physical and virtual infrastructure. This role requires leadership and hands-on involvement in vendor management, procurement, and coordination with property management, engineering, and operations personnel. The position also involves the responsibility of ensuring security compliance, disaster recovery planning, and the performance and development of a technical team. Key responsibilities include managing operational efficiencies, staffing, and leading efforts to ensure the continuity and reliability of server and data center systems.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operational Management
• Oversee daily datacenter operations, including vendor and contractor management, coordinating with property management, engineering, and field operations personnel. Ensure that physical and virtual server infrastructures, storage solutions, and cloud services operate efficiently.
• Vendor Management & Procurement
• Manage relationships with third-party vendors and contractors, ensuring compliance with contractual agreements, monitoring vendor performance, and handling procurement processes for datacenter-related products and services.
• Strategy Development
• Collaborate with the Director of Infrastructure to develop and implement strategies that optimize datacenter operations, ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals and technological advancements.
• Backup & Replication
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of backup systems to ensure data integrity and availability during system failures or outages.
• Security Compliance
• Ensure that datacenter operations adhere to security best practices, industry standards, and compliance requirements, with a focus on safeguarding organizational data and systems.
• Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity
• Develop and maintain disaster recovery plans and business continuity strategies for server operations, ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting
• Implement and oversee monitoring systems to assess the performance of infrastructure components, reporting key metrics to management to ensure optimal system functionality.
• Team Leadership
• Lead, hire, retain, and oversee the performance of a high-performing team responsible for datacenter and server operations. This includes mentoring and fostering professional growth among staff, promoting a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position may include the following jobs:

Job Title

• System Administrators
• System Engineers

CHALLENGES

• Managing system downtime scheduling in a 24x7 operational environment while minimizing service disruption.
• Integrating new technologies into existing legacy systems without impacting operational continuity.
• Navigating the complexities of government procurement processes and funding regulations.
• Retaining highly skilled technical staff in a competitive job market.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field with eight (8) years of experience in infrastructure management, with at least three (3) years in a leadership role focused on datacenter and server operations.
• Prior experience in managing cybersecurity protocols and achieving security clearance preferred.
• Experience with vendor management, procurement, and negotiations preferred.
• ITIL knowledge and certifications (e.g., VMware, AWS/Azure) preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• Moderate physical demands, including moving equipment (e.g., servers, air conditioning units, UPS/batteries) and other tasks requiring manual handling and shifting of equipment into racks.
• Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Ability to manage teams responsible for server architecture, installation, and maintenance in large-scale environments.
• Working knowledge of disaster recovery, business continuity planning, and backup system management.
• Detailed knowledge of industry best practices and emerging technologies in IT infrastructure.
• Detailed knowledge of ITIL systems and best practices.
• Detailed knowledge of security practices, compliance standards, and the ability to handle sensitive data.
• Detailed knowledge of server management, virtualization technologies, cloud services, and OT server systems.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office environment.
• May be required to work various extended hours (including nights, weekends, and holidays) in order to meet project deadlines or respond to CTA emergencies.
• Must be available to respond to calls or email inquiries outside of regular work hours.
• Supervise field visits which may include exposure to hazardous environments such as moving trains and other vehicles, electrically energized conductors, construction noise, dust, and weather conditions.
• This position is considered a "C-List" position under the "Revolving Door" prohibition within the State Officials and Employees Act (5 ILCS 430/5-45), which contains a number of post-employment restrictions CTA employees in C-list designated positions must follow. Among other requirements listed in this statute, CTA employees in C-list designated positions are required to follow State notification procedures to the Office of the Executive Inspector General prior to acceptance of any applicable non-State employment or may be fined significant penalties.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

• Standard office equipment.
• Personal computers, smartphones, tablets, IP telephones and various software including
• Microsoft Office and other specialized software.