IT Manager Network Operations - Ulta Beauty, Inc.

Live the experience. From professional empowerment to continual learning opportunities. From ongoing investment in new and emerging technologies to a career of self-determination. At Ulta Beauty, our tech team is critical to our scalability—and is recognized that way. We’ve been defined as a “mature start-up.” A place where interdepartmental exposure, open doors, and genuine collaboration is ubiquitous. Where challenges come fast and furious, requiring agility, mental dexterity, and creativity. Where our passion for better solutions drives us and is core to who we are.

We’re engineering for the future of retail, and it’s no-holds-barred. But for those motivated by continual change and ambiguity, by superior leadership, by whip smart colleagues who will press you daily for your very best, you’ll find that virtually nothing’s impossible at Ulta Beauty.

THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE: 

The IT Network Operations Manager will lead a team of Network engineers to deliver critical capabilities for UTLA’s corporate, distribution, and retail store business. The position is responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, maintenance, and optimization of the Ulta Beauty network infrastructure. This includes managing a team of network engineers and administrators, ensuring high availability and performance of network services, and implementing best practices for network security and compliance. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in network architecture, operational excellence, lifecycle management, and team leadership.

YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH ALL THESE GOALS BY:

• Leadership Management: Lead and manage the Network Operations team, including hiring, training, performance management, and professional development. Provide direction, support and guidance, monitor progress against agreed quality and performance criteria. 

• Network Infrastructure Management: Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of a robust and scalable network infrastructure to support business operations. Ensure high availability and performance of network services, including LAN/WAN, wireless, and cloud connectivity. Manage network monitoring tools to proactively identify and resolve issues. Leads the implementation of agreed enterprise changes and maintenance routines.

• Network Lifecycle Management: Develop and execute strategies for network equipment lifecycle management, including planning for upgrades, replacements, and decommissioning.  Maintain a comprehensive inventory of network assets and ensure their proper documentation and tracking. Analyze network usage and performance data to make informed decisions about capacity planning and infrastructure investments.

• Network Deployment Management: Oversee the deployment of network infrastructure for new locations, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems and adherence to company standards. Implement best practices for network configuration management and change control to minimize disruptions and maintain operational integrity. Manages resources, revenue and capital costs against the project budget and manages expectations of all project stakeholders.

• Managed Service Coordination: Work closely with managed services partners to oversee Network Operations Center (NOC) and Operations Support. Establish and monitor service level agreements (SLAs). Collaborate to optimize operations and address escalated issues.
• Security & Compliance: Implement and enforce network security policies and procedures to protect company assets and data. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments. Collaborate effectively with the IT Security & Risk team.

• Incident & Problem Management: Lead incident response efforts to quickly resolve network outages and performance issues.  Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions. Maintain comprehensive documentation of network configurations, procedures, and incident reports.  Leads the assessment, analysis, documentation, and implementation of change requests.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan and manage the IT Network budget for corporate assets including our regional distribution centers and stores. Identify opportunities to improve cost effectiveness of our expense budget.
• Prepare RFPs, contracts, statements of work, and other documentation for network projects.
• Engage proactively with key stakeholders and partners across IT and the business to understand technology direction and align security capabilities accordingly.
• Build and maintain relationships with key vendor partners to facilitate development, enhancements, and upgrades to current environment.
• Ensure compliance with all internal policies with respect to data protection.
• Work closely with Project Management team to define and estimate team contributions, and ensure team completes project work on time and with an excellent level of quality.
• Assist in response to external audits, penetration tests, vulnerability assessments and forensic investigations.
• Contribute to release management, change control, incident and problem management.
• Monitor system performance, provide capacity planning, automate processes, perform refreshes/upgrades, and provide operational and technical support for network and security infrastructure areas.
• Contribute to the development, ongoing maintenance, and execution of an enterprise-wide disaster recovery and business continuity plan.

THE ESSENTIALS FOR SUCCESS: 

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Master’s preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in network operations, with at least 5 years in a managerial role.
• Experience in network lifecycle management and network deployment management.
• Proven track record of balancing multiple priorities simultaneously including large-scale production network and security projects, and operations in a multi-site retail environment with minimal downtime and limited impact on systems and applications.
• Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure fast paced environment with professionalism
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail.
• Advanced knowledge of network monitoring and performance analysis monitoring tools, and a history of using them for performance tuning and troubleshooting.
• Skilled at problem resolutions of complex or intermittent issues in a multi-vendor, integrated enterprise environment by either leading the troubleshooting effort or advising/leading others.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Able to communicate with technical and non-technical audiences at all levels of the organization.
• Able to adapt to the changing needs of the business while meeting deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of network architecture, protocols, and technologies, including TCP/IP, MPLS, VPN, VoIP, SD-WAN, and cloud networking.
• Expert knowledge of Network access methods including T1, DS3, OC3, Ethernet, and Cellular.
• Expert understanding of network protocols and routing/switching.
• Experience with network security technologies, such as firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and encryption.
• Experience designing enterprise network/security and data center solutions.
• Advanced experience with routing, core switching, Cisco Nexus, ASA firewalls, Palo Alto firewalls, VLAN, VPN, WLAN, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, monitoring tools, network topologies, Gigamon, Tipping Point and F5 BigIP load balancing.
• Relevant certifications, such as CCNP, CCDP, CISSP, or equivalent, are highly desirable.
• Experience with Aruba, Cisco and Palo Alto solutions preferred
• Off-Hours support including 24x7 on-call required.
• Travel as required.

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At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring—hair, skin, brow, and make-up services.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.