Head of IT Infrastructure

Head of IT Infrastructure — Daskalos (Multi-Campus, India)Role SummaryDaskalos is launching and operating multiple higher-education campuses across India in collaboration with international partner institutions. We’re seeking a Head of IT Infrastructure to architect, build, and operate a world-class, scalable campus technology foundation—end-to-end. The ideal leader has stood up greenfield college campuses (or equivalent large, multi-site environments), makes strong solutioning decisions, and drives disciplined execution across vendors and stakeholders.ResponsibilitiesStrategy & Architecture- Define the multi-campus IT infrastructure blueprint (LAN/WAN/SD-WAN, Wi-Fi 6/6E, data center/edge, cloud, identity/SSO, endpoint management, collaboration, AV/classroom tech, security & surveillance integrations). - Create a multi-year roadmap for scalability, resilience, and cost optimization (capex/opex, lifecycle, refresh cycles). - Establish reference architectures and standards (network segmentation, zero-trust principles, cabling, power/UPS, redundancy).Campus Build-Outs & Solutioning- Lead site surveys, BoQs, and high-level/low-level designs; own RFPs, vendor tech evaluations, and final solution selections. - Oversee installation and commissioning of network, servers/edge, Wi-Fi, classroom AV, access control/CCTV, and service rooms. - Integrate academic systems (LMS, SIS/ERP, library systems) with identity, networking, and security controls.Operations & Service Management- Stand up an ITIL-aligned run model (incident, change, problem, asset/CMDB, capacity, DR/BCP). - Define and track SLAs, uptime, MTTR, and performance metrics; run NOC/SOC collaboration as needed. - Implement observability (NMS, log mgmt, SIEM) and backup/DR for on-prem and cloud workloads.Security, Compliance & Quality- Drive security by design (network segmentation, MFA, MDM, endpoint hardening). - Ensure compliance with applicable data protection and education regulations (e.g., DPDP Act, GDPR where relevant) and standards (e.g., ISO 27001 practices). - Run quality governance: design reviews, acceptance tests, audits, and continuous improvement.Vendor & Partner Management- Source and manage OEMs, system integrators, ISPs/telcos, AV partners, and managed service providers. - Own contracts, RFP/RFQ, commercials, SOWs, SLAs, and quarterly business reviews; enforce penalties/earn-backs where applicable. - Coordinate with international partner universities and domestic stakeholders to align requirements and approvals.Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration- Build and lead a high-performing infra & operations team (central + campus IT). - Collaborate with Academics, Student Services, Facilities, and Finance for integrated delivery (e.g., power/UPS, racks, cooling, access control). - Communicate clearly with executive leadership; convert business needs into deliverable technical plans.Key Outcomes (12–18 months)- Launch-ready campuses: Complete IT build-outs for several campuses on time and within budget; day-one readiness validated by cutover tests. - Always-on operations: ≥99.9% uptime for critical services (network, identity, LMS/SIS integrations, AV in classrooms, security systems). - Coverage & performance: 100% classroom and common-area Wi-Fi coverage with defined throughput targets; - Governance & quality: SLAs/OLAs in place; monthly service reviews; audit readiness for security, privacy, and compliance. - Stakeholder satisfaction: Faculty/Student IT CSAT ≥4.5/5; partner university IT sign-offs completed per MoU.Required Experience & Qualifications- 12–18+ years in IT infrastructure with 5+ years leading multi-site or campus build-outs; demonstrable greenfield campus experience is a must. - Proven delivery of at least two end-to-end campus (or large corporate campus) setups in India (from design to go-live and steady state). - Deep hands-on and architectural knowledge across: - Networking: routing/switching, SD-WAN, Wi-Fi design, network security, QoS. - Identity & Access: Microsoft Entra ID/Azure AD (or equivalent), SSO/SAML/OIDC, RBAC. - Endpoints & Collaboration: MDM/UEM (e.g., Intune), Office 365/Google Workspace, meeting/classroom AV. - Compute/Storage/Cloud: virtualization, edge compute, backups/DR, hybrid cloud. - Security & Observability: firewalls, NAC, SIEM, NMS, logging/monitoring. - Strong vendor management and procurement chops: RFPs, BoQs, commercials, SLAs, acceptance testing. - Process orientation (ITIL), project/program management (PMP/Prince2 or equivalent mindset), and governance rigor. - Excellent communication, stakeholder management (international & domestic), and cross-cultural collaboration skills. - Bachelor’s in Engineering/CS or equivalent; Master’s preferred. Relevant certifications (ITIL, CCNP/Enterprise, Azure/AWS, PMP) are a plus.Competencies- Solutioning & Decision Quality: balances standards with pragmatic delivery; documented trade-offs. - Execution Excellence: plans → builds → tests → operates with discipline; hits dates and budgets. - Forward Thinking: designs for scale, reuse, and lifecycle; proactive risk management. - Negotiation & Influence: gets the best from partners; escalates and resolves fast. - People Leadership: hires, coaches, and retains strong talent; fosters accountability.Practical Details- Location: India (with frequent travel across campuses; ~40–60% travel). - Employment Type: Full-time.Reports To: COO / Head of Operations (or CTO), with dotted line to Academic Partnerships.