IT INFRASTRUCTURE ARCHITECT

Position Summary

The IT Infrastructure Architect (Deputy Director) will function as the Broadband Grant Program Manager. This role will be responsible for ensuring seamless workflow of all pre- and post-award broadband infrastructure grant activities for the Arkansas State Broadband Office. The role will effectively manage broadband grant programs in order to ensure a dependable framework of tracking, reporting, and processing all grants and subgrants for the State.

This position requires on-site employment with no remote or hybrid options available.

Education and Professional Work Experience

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Network Engineering, or a related field is required, plus seven (7) years of experience in IT infrastructure design, management, and implementation, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong organization and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple grant and project portfolios.
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to prepare clear, informative, and concise written materials. Must be able to communicate effectively across multiple stakeholder and partner groups such as federal, state, and local government; philanthropy and nonprofit, and industry sectors.
• An understanding of state government processes and basic broadband deployment and adoption concepts.
• Experience in public administration, information technology, and telecommunications.
• Program and project management experience
• Data and analytics abilities
• Government procurement practices
• Vendor management – extensive experience in managing multiple vendor partners and keeping them successfully engaged in highly complex projects and programs

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure design and implementation, including systems architecture, networking, storage solutions, and cloud services.
• In-depth understanding of both on-premises and cloud-based infrastructure.
• Able to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and work collaboratively with other IT professionals, department heads, and external vendors.
• Excellent analytical and troubleshooting abilities, with a strong capacity to diagnose and resolve complex infrastructure issues.
• Strong understanding of IT security practices and regulations.
• Ability to design infrastructure systems with security as a core consideration, ensuring that all infrastructure components meet compliance standards and are protected from cyber threats.
• Ability to anticipate potential infrastructure problems and proactively implement solutions.
• Experience managing large-scale IT infrastructure projects, from conception to completion.
• Skilled in resource allocation, timeline management, and ensuring that projects are delivered within budget and on schedule.

Job Responsibilities and Expected Results

• Facilitate existing and future broadband grant programs, inclusive of communicating with applicants, program evaluation, reporting, and payment, and other close out activities.
• Collect, analyze, and report on both qualitative and quantitative data related to grant project performance, contributing to agency and other periodic reports as well as future program designs.
• Ensure the efficient, cost-effective administration and financial management of grants and contracts throughout the ASBO in compliance with State and Federal policies and procedures.
• Maintain and update all pertinent records, files and documents, and ensure completeness of all research accounts, files and submissions in accordance with State and Federal policies.
• Compile financial reports that reflect the disbursement status of funding.
• Streamline processes for payments, monitoring, and reporting that reduce administrative burden and accelerate program impact.
• Work with other departments to tie broadband efforts directly to broader state goals in economic development, workforce, healthcare access, and education.
• Coordinating and directing subordinates and teams, as needed.
• Other job duties as required.