Job Details

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Job Posting Title:
Executive Director of LONI

Position Type:
Professional / Unclassified

Department:
LSUAM FA - ITS - Research and Educational Tech Services (Ric J Simmons (00010356))

Work Location:
0201 Fred C. Frey Computing Services Building

Pay Grade:

Job Description:

Organizational Overview:

The Louisiana Optical Network Infrastructure, or LONI, is a state-of-the-art, fiber optic network that runs throughout Louisiana, and connects Louisiana research universities to one another as well as Internet2, the national research and education network, and other regional research and education networks across the country. LONI connects Louisiana's major research university systems including the Louisiana State University (LSU) system, the Southern University system, the University of Louisiana system, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, and members of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and other research and education entities. LONI enables greater collaboration on research activities, which produce results faster and with greater accuracy. LONI provides Louisiana researchers with one of the most advanced optical networks in the country and powerful supercomputer resources available to the academic community, with over 4 Petaflops of computational capacity.

Position Overview:

The LONI Executive Director, reporting directly to the Louisiana State University Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) located in Baton Rouge, LA, provides executive management and oversight of all aspects of LONI operations, and serves as the public face of LONI. LONI is owned by the Louisiana Board of Regents and operated with the assistance of the LONI staff at LSU through a management agreement between the Board of Regents and LSU. Under this agreement LSU acts as the fiduciary and agent responsible for LONI's daily operations. This position collaborates with LONI members statewide, the LONI Management Council, and regional and national network operators to enhance the LONI portfolio. The Executive Director works closely with the Louisiana Board of Regents on budgets, project proposals, business cases, and all operational facets of the LONI organization.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership: Provide executive oversight and management of the following: network equipment and fiber infrastructure, resources and services; the LONI Security Operations Center (SOC); vision, strategy, and overall leadership in collaboration with the LONI Management Council, the Board of Regents, and the larger community of LONI stakeholders; financial management; personnel management; business and technical operations oversight; public and customer relations; legal obligations including public policies and rules; vendor relations, including equipment and service providers.

Advise the LONI Management Council on matters related to LONI, providing vision, strategy, and overall leadership for LONI, in collaboration with the LONI Management Council, the Board of Regents, and the larger community of LONI stakeholders.

Partner with LONI's Chief Scientist, Chief Economic Development Advisor, Chief Cybersecurity Advisor, and Chief Technical Advisor to ensure successful development, cooperation among partners, and planning and implementation of new infrastructure while keeping the LSU Office of ITS apprised of all efforts in this regard.

Work closely with LONI members and organizations as well as national and international networking groups to identify and leverage opportunities for collaboration; represent LONI in national and regional networking communities and organizations and events associated with high-speed networking and high-performance computing, such as Internet2, The Quilt and the annual Supercomputing Conference.

Ensure clear, concise, and effective communication with all LONI stakeholders. System issues, upgrades, maintenance, and community calls are some examples of required communication. (50%)

Operations: Oversee the day-to-day operations of the network services and ensure the network is fully and reliably functional. Work closely with LONI members and organizations as well as national and international networking groups.

Establish and maintain technical, security, and operational policies for the LONI Network that are consistent and aligned with LONI goals, missions, and objectives; monitor all contract compliance, meeting and documenting compliance with all governmental requirements; provide overall leadership, coordination and management of the LONI staff including work/job/task/project management and professional development.

Report to the LSU Office of ITS and the Management Council on LONI activities and projects, as appropriate; prepare and submit written and oral progress reports to the LSU Office of ITS and Management Council, as requested.

Provide technical expertise and direction in the maintenance and improvement of the health and functionality of the network, including development of network specifications and identification of applications, protocols, processes and required tools and methodologies. (40%)

Perform other responsibilities as assigned to support the goals and objectives of LONI. (10%)

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university

Minimum 10 years of IT-related experience with progressive responsibility in IT Infrastructure and financial management

Skills and Abilities:

• Proven leadership in leading and managing cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of fiber optic networks, high-speed networking, and high-performance computing.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to provide exemplary customer service to all stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, projects, and business proposals.
• Ability to work onsite at LSU in Baton Rouge, LA.

LSU values skills, experience, and expertise. Candidates who have relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encouraged to apply- a degree is not required as long as the candidate meets the required years of experience specified in the job description.

Preferred Qualifications:

Advanced degree in technical, business, or related field.

Familiarity with Regional Research and Education Network management.

Success leading a technical operations team.

Higher education IT management experience

Additional Information:

This position is essential and may be required to report to campus in times of emergency and/or closure per PS-18.

Additional Job Description:

Special Instructions:
A copy of your transcript(s) may be attached to your application (if available). However, original transcripts are required prior to hire.

Please provide three professional references including name, title, phone number and e-mail address.
An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

For questions or concerns regarding the status of your application or salary ranges, please contact Mary Bordelon at ...@lsu.edu.

Posting Date:
March 21, 2025

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

Additional Position Information:

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University's partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

Essential Position (Y/N):

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

HCM Contact Information:

For questions or concerns related to updating your application with attachments (e.g., resumes, RS:17 documents), date of birth, or reactivating applications, please contact the LSU Human Resources Management Office at 225-###-#### or email ...@lsu.edu. For questions or concerns regarding the status of your application or salary ranges, please contact the department using the information provided in the Special Instructions section of this job posting.