Director, Network & Unified Comms

Job Description:
Our customer is looking for a Director of Network & Unified Communications to own the full enterprise network, lead a ground-up rebuild, and drive the modernization of how it’s all architected and run. The network has grown without a unified strategy — outdated hardware, inconsistent standards, and decisions made in isolation over years. Now the budget, executive mandate, and runway are in place to fix it, and this person has the autonomy to build it their way. This is a strategy-first role, but technical credibility is non-negotiable — the hiring VP came up through networking himself and will expect this person to hold their own.

Requirements:
• 10+ years of enterprise networking leadership — ground-up network builds, COLO, cloud connectivity, or large-scale infrastructure transformation.
• Deep expertise in enterprise WAN/LAN/wireless architecture — SD-WAN, routing/switching, wireless design, DNS/DHCP/IPAM, Cisco environment.
• MSP management experience, specifically in early-stage or immature models.
• Experience owning unified communications: VoIP, SIP trunking, soft phones, video/telepresence, conferencing, and contact center capabilities.
• Network as a Service (NaaS) familiarity — enough experience to assess fit, select a partner, and make a go/no-go recommendation within year one.
• Experience with Zero Trust network segmentation, NAC, and STIGs in a defense or regulated environment.
• Bachelor’s degree required, along with relevant certifications (CCNP, CCIE, JNCIP, etc.)

Nice to have:

Responsibilities:
• Lead the ground-up network rebuild — architecture, design, standards, and sequencing. Nothing has been formally started; this person sets the direction.
• Define and own the COLO (colocation data center) connectivity strategy — design, redundancy, vendor selection, and ongoing operations.
• Build a tech debt elimination strategy: hardware refresh sequencing, standards definition, and lifecycle governance.
• Assess and make a formal go/no-go recommendation on Network as a Service (NaaS — outsourcing the lifecycle of network hardware to a managed partner vs. buying and maintaining it internally) for LAN and wireless layers within the first year.
• Mature the MSP engagement model — no established structure or SLAs exist yet, this person builds it.
• Own all network and telecom operations globally — WAN, LAN, wireless, VoIP, SIP trunking, soft phones, mobility, DDoS, and telecom expense management.
• Inherit and restructure the team as needed.
• Provide executive-level reporting on program progress, operational health, and cost outcomes.