Senior Director of Global Network Infrastructure

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way.   Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong.  Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.    Senior Director of Global Network Infrastructure Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) Position Overview Jones Lang LaSalle, a leading international commercial real estate firm, is seeking an exceptional Senior Director of Global Network Infrastructure to lead our enterprise-wide network strategy and operations. This executive role encompasses responsibility for global network architecture, cloud and on-premises infrastructure, network security operations, and operational excellence across all JLL locations worldwide. Reporting directly to the Global Head of Infrastructure Operations, this position provides strategic leadership for network infrastructure services that enable JLL's global business operations. Strategic Responsibilities Enterprise Network Strategy & Vision Define and execute the global network infrastructure strategy, aligning technology roadmaps with business objectives and digital transformation initiatives Drive network modernization initiatives, including cloud migration, software-defined networking (SDN), and next-generation infrastructure adoption Establish enterprise-wide network architecture standards, governance frameworks, and reference models Lead strategic planning for network capacity, scalability, and geographic expansion to support business growth Evaluate emerging technologies and innovation opportunities to maintain competitive advantage Executive Leadership & Business Partnership Serve as the executive voice for network infrastructure, presenting to C-suite leadership and board members on strategy, investments, and business impact Partner with business unit leaders to understand requirements and translate them into network infrastructure capabilities Drive cross-functional collaboration with Security, Applications, Cloud Services, and Business Continuity teams Representing IT infrastructure in enterprise risk management discussions and business continuity planning Champion digital workplace initiatives that depend on robust network connectivity Financial & Resource Management Develop and manage annual network infrastructure budgets exceeding $20M, including capital and operational expenditures Drive total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization through strategic vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and service consolidation Build compelling business cases for infrastructure investments, articulating ROI and business value Optimize resource allocation across global network operations, architecture, engineering, and project teams Establish financial controls and KPIs to track budget performance and cost efficiency Operational Leadership Global Network Operations Oversight Direct network operations across 80+ countries, ensuring 99.99% availability for mission-critical business services Oversee incident management, problem resolution, and major incident response for global network infrastructure Establish and monitor SLAs for network services, holding teams accountable for performance commitments Drive continuous improvement in operational efficiency, MTTR reduction, and proactive issue prevention Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and corporate policies globally Infrastructure Architecture & Engineering Lead global network architecture team (Internal and MSP) in designing resilient, scalable solutions for data centers, cloud environments, and office locations Oversee WAN/LAN architecture, SD-WAN strategy, cloud networking (Azure, AWS, GCP), and hybrid connectivity solutions Direct network security architecture including firewalls, segmentation, zero-trust implementation, and threat prevention Guide technology selection and standardization decisions for routing, switching, wireless, and network services platforms Ensure architectural alignment with cybersecurity frameworks and data protection requirements Vendor & Service Provider Management Negotiate and manage strategic relationships with tier-1 carriers, ISPs, and network technology vendors Oversee managed service provider relationships for network operations support and specialized services Drive vendor performance management, ensuring contractual compliance and service level achievement Lead RFP processes for major network infrastructure procurements and service contracts Establish vendor governance frameworks and regular business review cadences Team Leadership & Development Organization Building & Talent Management Lead a global organization of 50+ network professionals across operations, engineering, and project delivery functions Build high-performing teams through strategic hiring, talent development, succession planning, and retention initiatives Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, continuous learning, and customer-centricity Establish clear career progression paths and professional development programs for network professionals Drive diversity and inclusion initiatives within the infrastructure organization Leadership Development Mentor and develop senior leaders including the      Director of Cloud Network Operations and other direct reports Provide coaching, performance feedback, and growth opportunities to build bench strength Delegate strategically while maintaining appropriate oversight and escalation paths Encourage cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing across infrastructure teams Model executive leadership behaviors and JLL cultural values Key Performance Areas Service Excellence Network availability: ≥99.99% uptime for production environments MTTR reduction across incident categories (current network MTTR: 6-20 days depending on complexity) Customer satisfaction scores and Net Promoter Score (NPS) improvement Successful delivery of zero-defect major infrastructure changes Operational Efficiency Network capacity utilization improvement Automation of routine operations and self-healing capabilities Reduction in manual intervention and toil Vendor consolidation and contract optimization savings Strategic Initiatives Cloud network expansion supporting digital transformation Global SD-WAN deployment and legacy WAN retirement Network security modernization and zero-trust architecture implementation Data center network refresh and modernization programs Edge computing and IoT network enablement Required Qualifications Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related field required; Master's degree strongly preferred 15+ years of progressive IT infrastructure experience with at least 10 years in network architecture and operations 8+ years in senior leadership roles managing large global teams and complex network environments 5+ years of executive-level experience with C-suite interaction and board-level presentations Proven track record leading enterprise-wide network transformation initiatives Technical Expertise Deep expertise in enterprise network architecture: routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), switching (802.1Q, VPC, MC-LAG), data center fabrics (Spine-Leaf, VXLAN) Extensive knowledge of cloud networking across AWS (VPC, Transit Gateway, Direct Connect), Azure (VNet, ExpressRoute, Virtual WAN), and GCP Strong understanding of SD-WAN technologies, overlay networks, and application-aware routing Comprehensive knowledge of network security: firewalls, IPS/IDS, network segmentation, zero-trust architecture Experience with network automation and infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, Ansible, Python) Familiarity with observability platforms (Datadog, ThousandEyes, CloudWatch) and ITSM frameworks (ITIL) Leadership Competencies Strategic thinking with ability to translate business needs into technical solutions Exceptional communication skills with ability to influence at all organizational levels Strong financial acumen and budget management experience Proven change management capabilities in complex global organizations Executive presence and credibility with senior stakeholders Cross-cultural awareness and experience leading geographically distributed teams Business Acumen Understanding of commercial real estate industry and business drivers (preferred) Experience managing P&L responsibility and optimizing infrastructure TCO Ability to build compelling business cases linking technology investments to business outcomes Track record of successful vendor negotiations and contract management Risk management perspective balanced with innovation and transformation Why Join JLL? JLL is committed to creating exceptional workplace experiences through innovative technology solutions. This role offers the opportunity to shape network infrastructure strategy for a Fortune 500 global enterprise, lead world-class technical teams, and drive meaningful business impact through technology excellence. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a culture that values innovation, collaboration, and professional growth. JLL is an equal opportunity employer committed to building diverse and inclusive teams. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. Estimated compensation for this position: 162,700.00 – 199,300.00 USD per year This range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations. Location: Remote –Chicago, IL If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements.  We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table! Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth: JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include: 401(k) plan with matching company contributions Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care Paid parental leave at 100% of salary  Paid Time Off and Company Holidays Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing. JLL Privacy Notice Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of processing in connection with JLL’s recruitment process. We endeavour to keep your personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely. For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our Candidate Privacy Statement. For additional details please see our career site pages for each country. For candidates in the United States, please see a full copy of our Equal Employment Opportunity policy here. Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at [email protected]. This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL. Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment. Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest. Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate. California Residents only If you are a California resident as defined in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) please view our Supplemental Privacy Statement which describes your rights and disclosures about your personal information. If you are viewing this on a mobile device you may want to view the CCPA version on a larger device. Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified.