Senior Network Lead / Network Director

Blackstone Talent Group, an award-winning technology consulting and talent agency, is seeking a Senior Network Lead/Network Director to join our Client's team.

Overview

The Senior Network Lead serves as the enterprise owner of all network architecture, operations, and strategy across approximately 15 corporate, manufacturing, and distribution sites. This role functions at a hybrid Architect/Director level—driving long-term network design, managing daily operations, leading a team of five internal engineers/technicians, and overseeing multiple MSPs delivering network services. The Senior Network Lead ensures the company’s network is secure, resilient, scalable, and aligned with business growth and modernization efforts.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Architecture

• Define and execute the enterprise network roadmap (LAN/WAN/WLAN/SD-WAN, cloud networking, segmentation, resiliency, zero trust).
• Architect modernized network solutions across sites—including manufacturing, warehouses, and HQ—covering routing, switching, wireless, firewalls, and connectivity.
• Lead network modernization initiatives (hardware refresh cycles, cloud integrations, SD-WAN rollout, redundancy design, ISP diversification, etc.).
• Build and enforce network standards, naming conventions, diagrams, configuration baselines, and documentation practices.

Team Management & Leadership

• Lead and mentor a team of 5 network engineers/technicians across multiple regions.
• Establish clear KPIs/SLA expectations within the team and MSP partners.
• Create development plans, training tracks (Cisco, Aruba, Fortinet), and cross-functional readiness with End-User Services, Infrastructure, and Security.
• Provide escalation leadership for high-severity incidents and root-cause analysis.

MSP Oversight & Vendor Management

• Manage MSP relationships covering firewall management, SD-WAN, wireless deployments, routing/switching, and monitoring & response.
• Review and approve MSP performance metrics, SOWs, change requests, network design proposals, and monthly/quarterly business reviews.
• Hold MSPs accountable to SLAs and ensure clear separation of responsibilities between internal and external teams.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and contract negotiations for network hardware, licensing, and managed services.

Network Operations & Reliability

• Own uptime, capacity, and performance across all LAN/WAN/WLAN environments.
• Oversee deployment, configuration, and maintenance of switches, APs, firewalls, VPN, site connectivity, and ISP redundancy.
• Ensure robust monitoring, alerting, and incident response with tools such as SolarWinds, Aruba Central, FortiManager, PRTG, or similar.
• Drive proactive lifecycle management for network hardware, firmware, and security.

Security & Compliance

• Partner with Security to implement Zero Trust principles, segmentation, NAC, MFA-based access, and audit-ready configurations.
• Ensure compliance with policies, standards, change management, and regulatory needs.
• Oversee firewall policies, VPN security, traffic monitoring, and vulnerability mitigation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Operations, Manufacturing, Facilities, IT Infrastructure, and Business Leaders to support new site builds, expansions, and network-dependent projects.
• Support cloud initiatives (Azure, SaaS, SD-WAN cloud on-ramps, ExpressRoute/vWAN as needed).
• Participate in major incident bridges, change approval boards, and leadership updates.

Required Experience & Skills

• 8–15+ years in enterprise networking (LAN/WAN/WLAN, routing, switching, firewalls).
• 3+ years leading teams or managing MSPs at scale.
• Deep experience with Cisco, Aruba, and/or Fortinet network ecosystems.
• Strong network design experience, including redundancy, segmentation, QoS, and large-site wireless.
• Practical experience with SD-WAN architectures (Fortinet SD-WAN, Cisco Meraki/SD-WAN, Aruba EdgeConnect, etc.).
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting L2/L3 networks, VPN, BGP/OSPF, STP, DHCP/DNS, and wireless performance.
• Strong understanding of network security, Zero Trust concepts, NAC (ClearPass, FortiNAC), and firewall management.
• Excellent communication and executive-facing leadership skills.

Preferred Certifications

• CCNP / CCIE (or working toward)
• Aruba ACMP/ACMX
• Fortinet NSE Level 4–7+
• ITIL Foundation
• SD-WAN vendor certifications (Fortinet, Aruba, or Cisco)

Blackstone Talent Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of Blackstone Technology Group, a global IT services and software firm that implements technological solutions across commercial industry verticals and the US Federal Government. Blackstone's global talent augmentation practice was founded in 1998. Blackstone Talent Group has offices in San Francisco, Denver, Houston, Colorado Springs, and Washington, DC. We specialize in providing clients the best talent across a variety of industries and sectors.

EOE of Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabilities