Director Network Product Owner

SHIFT:

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Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers countless ways to change lives. Our diverse community of more than 20,000 Breakthrough Makers will inspire you to pursue passions, develop expertise, and drive innovation.

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CHOP is committed to building an inclusive culture where employees feel a sense of belonging, connection, and community within their workplace. We are a team dedicated to fostering an environment that allows for all to be their authentic selves. We are focused on attracting, cultivating, and retaining diverse talent who can help us deliver on our mission to be a world leader in the advancement of healthcare for children.

We strongly encourage all candidates of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

A Brief Overview
At the core of CHOP's Digital Transformation strategy lies an imperative to connect people and data in a way that advances our mission of quality care, seamless experiences, and transformative research. As Director Network Product Owner, you will play a vital role in defining CHOP's enterprise network strategy, improving the pathways for how data is transmitted between an increasingly complex digital landscape, while ensuring sufficient protections, resiliency, and operational efficiency. The Director Network Product Owner will report to the Vice President & Chief Technology Officer and will become a member of the Enterprise Technology Platforms & Solutions Leadership Team.

As the Product Owner for Network at CHOP, this role will be considered the preeminent thought leader on the subject, partnering with departmental leaders across Digital Technology Services, Clinical and Research to develop and execute on our enterprise network strategy. As the leader for network, this individual will cater to a diverse and evolving set of data transmission requirements while seeking to modernize foundational capabilities that will enable increased adoption of cloud-based services. This role will lead a cross-functional team of engineers covering a wide range of technologies including LAN/WAN, firewall, wireless, load balancing, and cloud transport who will collectively develop scalable, secure, and cost-efficient network technology solutions that cater to the diverse needs of the enterprise, improving clinical, research and business outcomes across CHOP.

The Director Network Product Owner will seek to shift the operating paradigm at CHOP towards a software-defined-networking (SDN) strategy, with a goal to improve the consistency and speed at which network solutions are deployed and configured. With an ultimate objective of achieving end-to-end infrastructure-as-code, SDN will enable event-based automations, reducing human toil and the risk of misconfiguration while achieving a more robust end-user experience. The leader will clearly articulate this vision, develop a strategic roadmap, and then competitively evaluate SDN technologies ahead of pursuing an enterprise-wide transformation to include the effective up-skilling of CHOP engineering colleagues.

As Product Owner, this leader will be accountable for the financial governance over network technologies (P&L), will partner closely with Supply Chain in the management of our strategic partner relationships, will codify key consumer personae and establish experience-based objectives, and maintain our strategic roadmap for network technologies. The Director Network Product Owner will adopt an Agile based (e.g., scrum) operating model for the development of new capabilities and maintain a prioritized backlog of approved demands. The leader will establish Objectives & Key Results used to define and measure our strategic network imperatives, and Key Performance Indicators to drive optimal outcomes and improve efficiencies.

The Director Network Product Owner will be expected to develop deep relationships with key stakeholders within Digital Technology Services including Information Security, Data & Analytics, and Application Leadership. The lead will also form strong partnerships with key network consumers including teams across research, and those in the biomedical and building management areas. The Director Network Product Owner will provide regular updates to executive leadership on the status of our network programs, updates on security & audit activities, insights into cost efficiencies, and a look-ahead at emerging capabilities to generate excitement and foster innovative thinking.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced network leader to work with senior technologists, researchers, business leaders, and clinicians across CHOP to develop the strategy and vision for data and communication transport. This leader will have the opportunity to redefine the technology landscape at CHOP by introducing novel capabilities that accelerate the achievement of outcomes, deliver improved user experiences, and realize significant cost efficiencies. Network is an enabler of our vision for Digital Transformation at CHOP, and the Director Network Product Owner has an outsized role in aiding us to achieve our desired breakthroughs.

What you will do

• Operational Oversight
• Partner with business, research, and clinical stakeholders to identify opportunities to leverage modern networking technologies to improve experiences, advance breakthroughs, and/or achieve efficiencies.
• Develop a network strategy and roadmap that is in alignment with the digital aspirations of Digital Technology Services and Research functions at CHOP and advances the maturity of technology utilization and value capture.
• Drive end-to-end engineering efforts for networking products inclusive of LAN/WAN, firewall, wireless, IoMT, IP/DNS, and load balancing technologies. Bias towards code-based delivery of all configurations that allow for appropriate testing & staging, and then error-free production implementation.
• Establish the technological perquisites necessary for world-class operational excellence of network solutions at CHOP, inclusive of monitoring, predictive/proactive analytics, automated self-healing, and rapid recovery. Partner with Digital Command Operations to identify, define, develop, and publish KPIs and operational scorecards which monitor network system performance.
• Ensure the effective operational handover for all engineered solutions, inclusive of knowledge transfer, shadowing, hypercare support, and sufficient documentation. Provide a level 3 escalation function for problem resolution that requires depth of engineering expertise.
• Define the architectural standards for networking solutions, inclusive of throughput sizing, pathway design, carrier and path diversity, system resiliency designs, and efficient operational management standards. Develop roadmaps for purpose-built networks including BMS, physical security, smart building.
• Partner closely with Information Security and Engineering teams in the development of the network strategy and definition of standards. Utilize security guidelines to influence firewall technology and network segmentation decision making and ensure engineering teams are properly equipped to accommodate defined standards.
• Continuously evaluate the economic efficiency of CHOP's networking solutions inclusive of hardware solutions, cloud solutions, and acquired data services. Maintain contemporary awareness of market status, and compete CHOP's business for network solutions on a regular basis to ensure maximum capture of value.
• Lead solution design for complex business systems that require the use of networking technologies. Lead technical discussions amongst business and application teams to identify needs, and then establish structured prototyping exercises ultimately resulting in efficient solution designs and cost estimates.
• Own the relationship with and establish appropriate governance over networking solution providers at CHOP. Act as the single point of accountability for assessing all CHOP work with providers to determine appropriateness and priority. Partner closely with Supply Chain in the ongoing evaluation of commercial terms and seek out favorability for CHOP by way of improved economics and/or services provided.
• Utilize deep problem solving and critical thinking skills to develop solutions for difficult challenges that exist across our networking ecosystem, and develop solutions utilizing modern networking modalities.
• Develop patterns for network technology usage and adoption, incorporating CHOP's unique clinical, business, and research needs into a clearly defined, and purpose-built set of standards that accommodate most use cases.
• Establish an operational approach to network literacy both for engineering team members and consumers of networking solutions that ensure the appropriate level of knowledge currency aligned to CHOP's adoption of modern capabilities.
• Resource Management
• Lead a high-performing, agile, network engineering team to deliver fit-for-use and fit-for-purpose technology solutions, aligned with software-defined-networking (SDN) and infrastructure-as-code practices, which have a significant operational return on investment.
• Mentor staff and develop a world-class, high performing, networking product team by establishing and clearly outlining career development goals.
• Manage daily routine activities such as coordination, coaching, mentoring, recruiting, budgeting, planning, delivery, quality, partner relationships, performance metrics, operations, efficiency, service level management, etc.
• Own the profit & loss (P&L) for networking solutions at CHOP inclusive of all expenditures (capital and operating expenses) and profits (charge/show-backs). Develop the annual budgets and contribute to annual 10-year planning to project the long-term run rate of networking solutions.
• Drive a strong culture of client focus within the team ensuring work is of high-quality, on schedule, and exceeds customer expectations.
• Curate a product ownership culture and mindset within the team through clarity of roles, efficient curation and prioritization of product backlogs, establishment of objectives & key results (OKRs)
• Strategic Planning
• Develop CHOP's Software Defined Networking (SDN) strategy, shifting away from human-based intervention to a code-based approach to deployment and configuration. Identify the necessary technologies based on a comprehensive market assessment, develop the business case, and lead strategic adoption.
• Lead CHOP's Carrier Neutral Facility (CNF) and cloud transport strategies, enabling a broad shift of perimeter systems to cloud or cloud-proximate alternatives. Partner with CHOP Cloud Product Ownership to develop resilient, high-performance pathways to cloud-based capabilities as CHOP transitions away from legacy data center capabilities.
• Be a key participant and stakeholder in large-scale digital transformation programs for which data transport is a key factor. Partner with CHOP lines of business and application teams to understand requirements, develop novel solutions, and lead engineering design work to achieve optimal outcomes and user experiences.
• Engage with committees and key organizational decision makers to ensure alignment with organizational, departmental, and division strategy
• Provide thought leadership in network product strategy, accommodate peer reviews, participate in architecture governance forums, and challenge the status quo when it comes to how CHOP thinks about network technology. Be considered the resident expert on networking at CHOP.
• Lead research into emerging networking technologies and trends to determine relevancy and fit for CHOP. Develop position papers and present findings during regular leadership forums.
• Provide expert-level product guidance and insight for Cisco LAN/WAN/WLAN and CheckPoint Firewall technologies. Have broad exposure to the contemporary networking technology marketplace and be in a position to recommend alternative technologies that may provide utility and efficiency at CHOP.
• Partnerships
• Build and maintain partnerships internal and external to the organization
• Support quality improvement activities
• Partner with Cloud Product Teams, Information Security, Application, and Data & Analytics Leadership.
• Support research and facilities/building management teams across the enterprise.

Location

• The department works a remote-hybrid model and will have some on site expectations in our Philadelphia offices.

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree Computer science, computer/software engineering, information technology or similar field of study. Required
• Master's Degree Computer science, informatics, information systems, economics, mathematics, or another quantitative field Preferred

Experience Qualifications

• At least five (5) years experience in a management role leading enterprise network engineering teams Required

Skills and Abilities

• Requires broad knowledge of the field with demonstrated leadership skills and experience in area of supervision. (Required proficiency)
• Requires outstanding verbal, written, presentation and data storytelling skills; the ability make a compelling business case and tell a story using data. (Required proficiency)
• Ability to simplify complex ideas and communicate them effectively to a non-technical audience. (Required proficiency)
• Strong at goal setting, delivery, and execution ensuring clear success metrics are identified and customer service expectations are defined, monitored, and met. (i.e., SLAs and customer service KPIs). (Required proficiency)
• Work across a diverse set of teams and vendors to deliver solutions that align with Business strategy and initiatives. (Required proficiency)
• Ensure that the team has an effective organizational development, training and succession plan that in aligns with our overall workforce and location strategy. (Required proficiency)
• Ability to manage and balance multiple projects, effectively communicate goals, timelines, and challenges and set customer expectations. (Required proficiency)
• Healthcare and/or life sciences experience is preferred. (Preferred proficiency)
• Expert-level understanding, and direct expertise deploying and managing enterprise LAN/WAN networks utilizing Cisco networking technologies in a hub/spoke architecture. (Required proficiency)
• Demonstrated experience in managing enterprise firewall technologies, partnering with Information Security on policy design, using code-based deployment mechanics, and ensuring appropriate perimeter inspection and logging. (Required proficiency)
• Expert level knowledge of network segmentation and micro-segmentation concepts, including demonstrated expertise in deploying capabilities at scale. (Required proficiency)
• Knowledge and experience working in and driving culture change towards working in an agile development environment (Required proficiency)
• Expert-level understanding of Software Defined Networking (SDN) capabilities, and strong familiarity with infrastructure-as-code concepts. Working experience with Terraform, Ansible, Python, and similar technologies desired. (Required proficiency)
• Understanding of IPAM and DNS technologies, including modern cloud-based solutions is required. (Required proficiency)
• Prior expertise in development and/or management of carrier neutral facilities (CNF) is required. (Required proficiency)
• Experience with cloud-based DMZ technologies and perimeter management, and cloud transport (e.g., DirectConnect) is required. (Required proficiency)
• Experience with Cisco wireless technologies (Meraki) is required. (Required proficiency)
• Knowledge of modern network frameworks such as EVPN-VXLAN is a plus. (Preferred proficiency)
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) a plus. (Preferred proficiency)

Licenses and Certifications

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) - Cisco - within 6 months - Required
• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) - Cisco - - Preferred
• Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) - Check Point Software - - Preferred

To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.

Employees may request exemptions for valid religious and medical reasons. Start dates may be delayed until candidates are immunized or exemption requests are reviewed.

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