Senior Manager-IT

Role & responsibilities :

1. IT Infrastructure & System Administration

• Plan, implement and manage university-wide IT infrastructure, including servers, data centres, storage systems and virtualization platforms.
• Administer Active Directory, Windows Server environments, user account provisioning and group policy management.
• Ensure high availability, disaster recovery and business continuity planning for all critical IT systems.
• Manage the complete IT asset lifecycle procurement, deployment, maintenance, upgrades and decommissioning.
• Establish and enforce IT policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and service level agreements (SLAs).

2. Networking & Connectivity

• Design, deploy, and manage campus-wide LAN/WAN/Wi-Fi infrastructure across academic blocks, hostels, libraries, and administrative buildings.
• Manage core and edge switches, routers, structured cabling, and network monitoring/performance tools.
• Ensure robust, high-availability connectivity for smart classrooms, laboratories, ERP systems, and residential facilities.
• Plan network capacity expansion in line with the university's growth and academic strategy.
• Liaise with ISPs and telecom vendors to manage bandwidth, uptime SLAs, and last-mile connectivity.

3. Surveillance & Security Systems

• Oversee the installation, integration and monitoring of CCTV/surveillance systems across the campus for the safety of students, faculty and staff.
• Manage access control, biometric attendance and visitor management systems across academic and residential zones.
• Ensure surveillance data storage, retention and access comply with institutional policy and applicable regulations.
• Coordinate with campus security teams during incident investigation, audits and emergency response drills.

4. Firewall & Cybersecurity

• Implement and manage firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), VPNs and endpoint security solutions.
• Develop and enforce cybersecurity policies, data protection protocols, and compliance with the IT Act 2000, UGC guidelines and applicable data privacy norms.
• Conduct periodic vulnerability assessments, penetration testing and third-party security audits.
• Own incident response, threat monitoring and cyber disaster recovery planning.
• Drive cybersecurity awareness programs for faculty, staff and students.

5. Cloud Platforms & Digital Services

• Manage cloud infrastructure (AWS/Azure/GCP) and the Microsoft 365/Google Workspace ecosystem, including email and collaboration platforms.
• Oversee enterprise applications including SAP, Learning Management System (LMS) and Library Information System .
• Drive digital transformation initiatives process automation, self-service portals and mobile applications for students and faculty.
• Ensure robust data backup, cloud migration strateg, and cloud cost optimization.
• Evaluate and pilot emerging technologies (AI/ML tools, analytics dashboards) to enhance academic and administrative efficiency.

6. IT Operations & Support

• Lead the IT helpdesk/service desk function, ensuring timely resolution of academic and administrative IT issues.
• Define, track, and report on SLAs and KPIs for all IT support services.
• Manage AV/multimedia systems in classrooms, auditoriums, seminar halls, and conference rooms.
• Oversee vendor management, AMC contracts, and third-party service provider performance.
• Ensure uninterrupted technology support during admissions, examinations, convocations and other key university events.

7. Strategic Planning

• Develop and execute the university's IT roadmap and digital transformation strategy aligned with institutional goals.
• Prepare and manage IT budgets, capital expenditure planning and cost optimization initiatives.
• Benchmark the university's IT infrastructure and practices against leading national and international universities.
• Partner with academic and administrative leadership to align technology initiatives with NAAC/NBA/NIRF accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Lead, mentor, and build capability within the IT team; drive succession and career-development planning.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with UGC, AICTE and Ministry of Education guidelines relating to information technology.

Preferred candidate profile :

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Applications or a related field; an MBA or relevant professional certification is an added advantage.
• Minimum 10 to 15 years of progressive experience in IT infrastructure and operations, including at least 3–5 years in a leadership capacity, preferably within higher education institutions, universities, or large organizations.
• Proven expertise in networking, firewall management, surveillance systems, Active Directory, system administration, and cloud platforms.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale, multi-location campus networks and enterprise-grade infrastructure.
• Desirable certifications: ITIL Foundation, PMP, CISSP/CISM, CCNA/CCNP, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, or AWS Certified Solutions Architect.

Required Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft ecosystem, Google Workspace, and leading cloud technologies (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Expertise in network architecture, security and firewall configuration (e.g., Fortinet, Palo Alto, Cisco, Sophos).
• Hands-on experience managing large-scale campus networks, surveillance systems, and access control solutions.
• Sound knowledge of ERP, LMS, and enterprise application integration in an academic environment.
• Working knowledge of ITIL processes, IT governance frameworks and regulatory compliance standards.

Leadership & Behavioural Competencies

• Strong leadership skills with the proven ability to manage, mentor and develop high-performing IT teams.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical and decision-making abilities in a dynamic environment.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with academic leadership, faculty, students and external vendors.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure while maintaining service quality.
• High degree of integrity, ownership, and accountability in managing critical institutional infrastructure.