Associate Director, Network Operations Hybrid – La Mirada, CA

Join the team that connects California to the world! Our client,
CENIC
, is dedicated to advancing education and research statewide by operating the California Research and Education Network (CalREN). This high-capacity computer network spans over 8,000 miles of optical fiber, serving more than 20 million users across California, including the vast majority of K-20 students, educators, researchers, and individuals at other vital public-serving institutions. If you’re passionate about leveraging world-class computing networks for innovation, collaboration, and economic growth, this is your opportunity to make a significant impact.

CENIC is seeking an Associate Director of Network Operations to oversee the strategic direction, performance, and modernization of its vital Network Operations function. This full-time, permanent position
, based hybrid in La Mirada, California
, offers a competitive salary range of $170K/yr – $200K/yr
. While the shift leads manage the day-to-day operations on their respective shifts, the Associate Director provides the strategic leadership, structure, and oversight necessary to enhance service reliability, performance, and accountability across CENIC’s network operations. This role is ideal for a seasoned leader with a track record of transforming teams, combining technical fluency, operational discipline, and people-first leadership to build high-performing, responsive, and metrics-driven teams within a culture of continuous improvement.

As the Associate Director of Network Operations, you’ll be instrumental in shaping the future of CENIC’s world-class network. Your role is a blend of strategic leadership, operational oversight, and continuous improvement, all focused on enhancing service reliability and performance for millions of users.

• Leadership & Organizational Development: You will lead OKR (Objectives and Key Results) activities
  , offering strategic guidance and enforcing rigor in their implementation across the Network Operations team. You’ll actively promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, and collaboration
  , fostering an environment where team members thrive. Furthermore, you’ll provide robust support for staff development through personalized coaching, targeted training initiatives, and effective performance management practices, all designed to foster continuous learning, skill development, and career growth within the team. You’ll also engage directly with the HR team and senior leadership to address legacy challenges and strengthen overall team dynamics, ensuring a cohesive and high-performing unit.
• Operational Oversight & Strategy: You will oversee all aspects of network operations
  , including the 24/7/365 Network Operations Center (NOC). Your leadership will ensure strict alignment with organizational goals and service expectations
  , guaranteeing that the network delivers on its mission-critical role. You’ll meticulously define, implement, and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), establish robust service level agreements (SLAs), and conduct thorough post-incident reviews (PIRs) to drive accountability and continuous improvement. You’ll also spearhead initiatives to improve incident response, problem management, and root cause analysis
  , identifying areas for greater operational alignment with best practices, such as ITIL and ITSM (IT Service Management) frameworks
  , and implementing processes to enhance this alignment.
• Tools & Automation: You’ll develop a working familiarity with the current toolset used in network operations. Your strategic insight will then guide efforts to assess requirements for enhancing, supplementing, and/or replacing tools in support of more effective monitoring, alerting, and escalation processes. You’ll collaborate closely with the engineering team to enhance observability and telemetry across the entire network infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive data collection for proactive management.
  
  Furthermore, you’ll champion process efficiency
  , including advocating for and implementing appropriate automation solutions to improve operational…