IT Manager- Network and Telecom

Job Description: Overview Deriva Energy is a leading Independent Power Producer in the US renewables market, with over 6.5GW of operating or under construction wind, solar and storage projects across the country. Formerly the division of Duke Energy, Deriva is now backed by Brookfield Renewable and is poised for dynamic growth across its wind, solar, and storage portfolios. Join a dynamic team committed to excellence and innovation who envision a future of energy independence using resilient, carbon-free generation. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to make a significant impact on the rapidly evolving renewable energy industry. Deriva empowers customers with innovative clean energy solutions that strengthen communities and serve future generations. Summary We are seeking a skilled and forward-thinking IT Manager, Network and Telecom to lead the design, implementation, and management of Deriva Energy's enterprise network and communications infrastructure. This role oversees a team of network and firewall engineers and is responsible for ensuring the stability, scalability, and security of all voice and data systems supporting our operational sites, offices, and data centers. The IT Manager provides architectural oversight, drives standardization across the enterprise network landscape, and collaborates closely with cybersecurity, infrastructure, and operations teams to ensure reliable connectivity and compliance with NERC-CIP and other regulatory standards. This position also manages third-party partners, including the Network Operations Center (NOC), to deliver resilient and high-performing telecom services aligned with business needs. Key Responsibilities Lead and develop a team of network and telecom professionals, providing technical direction, performance management, and career development Provide architectural oversight and challenge technical designs to ensure scalability, redundancy, and security across enterprise network and communication systems Oversee enterprise LAN/WAN, SD-WAN, firewall, and telecommunication environments, ensuring optimal uptime, performance, and compliance Partner with the outsourced NOC provider to manage 24/7 network operations, incident response, and service-level performance Collaborate with IT, cybersecurity, operations, and compliance teams to maintain network integrity and meet NERC-CIP, SOx, and corporate security standards Define and maintain network design standards, configuration baselines, and documentation frameworks Drive vendor and technology evaluations, procurement, and lifecycle management for enterprise network and telecom platforms Analyze network performance metrics and implement proactive strategies to optimize load balancing, reduce latency, and enhance resilience Support project delivery in partnership with the PMO, serving as a key stakeholder in the planning, review, and validation of all infrastructure initiatives Manage project budgets, forecasts, and contract renewals related to network and telecom services Foster a collaborative, learning-oriented team culture that values innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement Stay current with emerging technologies, standards, and industry trends in networking, cloud connectivity, and telecom infrastructure Basic Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience) Six (6) years or more of progressive experience in network or telecom engineering, including at least 2 years or more of direct reports/leadership Desired Qualifications Master's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience) Strong understanding of core networking technologies (LAN/WAN/SD-WAN, firewalls, VPNs, VoIP, and wireless) Experience managing or working with outsourced service providers and network operations centers Familiarity with compliance frameworks such as NERC-CIP, SOx, or similar Proven ability to balance hands-on technical insight with team leadership and vendor coordination Excellent communication and problem-solving skills with the ability to work across teams and departments Relevant certifications (e.g., CCNA, CompTIA Network+, or equivalent) Working Conditions This position is located in Charlotte, NC Relocation assistance may be available for well-qualified candidates to support a smooth transition to the area This is an onsite position with option to work remotely one day per week Benefits Health Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance 401(k) with matching Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Additional Information: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. Deriva welcomes veterans of the United States Armed Forces to apply for this position. Deriva includes veterans of all branches and a diverse set of occupational specialties. We value the independent thinking, problem solving, leadership, and teamwork that our veterans have developed through their service. We welcome applications from any service and any military occupational specialty. Deriva Energy is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, protected veteran or military status, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law.