Position Summary
The IT Infrastructure Architect will function as the Deputy Director for the Arkansas State Broadband Office (ARConnect). The Broadband office is seeking a candidate who is highly motivated and a results-oriented professional. This position offers a unique opportunity to help lead one of the nation's most ambitious broadband infrastructure initiatives, supporting Arkansas' efforts to expand reliable, high-speed internet access and strengthen economic opportunity across the state.
Reporting directly to the State Broadband Director, the Deputy Director will play a central role in the strategic and operational management of the office, with a particular emphasis on broadband infrastructure deployment, federal grant administration, project management, and organizational execution.
The ideal candidate will bring a combination of private-sector telecommunications experience, strong project management capabilities, and familiarity with federally funded infrastructure programs. This individual must be comfortable navigating complex projects, managing competing priorities, building relationships with industry and government stakeholders, and translating strategic objectives into measurable results.
Above all, the successful candidate will be a proactive problem-solver who takes ownership of responsibilities, exercises sound judgment, and thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
This position requires on-site employment with no remote or hybrid options available.
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional experience within the telecommunications or broadband industry, with demonstrated knowledge of network deployment, construction, operations, or project delivery.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex infrastructure projects, including project planning, scheduling, budgeting, contractor coordination, risk management, and performance monitoring.
- Experience administering, managing, or overseeing federal or state grant programs, preferably involving broadband, telecommunications, infrastructure, or economic development.
- Familiarity with federal grant requirements, including financial management, reporting, procurement, monitoring, compliance, and applicable federal regulations.
- Knowledge of broadband infrastructure technologies, including fiber-optic networks, fixed wireless, and other technologies used to deliver high-speed internet service.
- Experience working with broadband funding programs, including the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), or other federally funded infrastructure initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, establish organizational priorities, delegate responsibilities, and hold individuals and partners accountable for results.
- Strong analytical, financial, and organizational skills, including the ability to evaluate project budgets, performance metrics, reimbursement requests, and operational risks.
- Experience coordinating with private-sector companies, government agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders to resolve challenges and advance complex initiatives.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical, financial, and regulatory matters to diverse audiences.
- An advanced degree or relevant professional certification, such as Project Management Professional (PMP), is preferred.
Job Responsibilities and Expected Results
- Broadband Infrastructure Deployment and Project Oversight
Provide leadership and operational oversight of broadband infrastructure projects supported by state and federal funding programs. Work closely with internet service providers, contractors, and internal staff to monitor project schedules, budgets, construction progress, and contractual obligations.
Expected Results: Broadband projects advance according to established milestones, emerging challenges are identified and addressed proactively, and public investments produce measurable improvements in connectivity across Arkansas.
- Federal Grant Management and Compliance
Support the administration of federal and state broadband funding programs, including the BEAD Program and existing broadband infrastructure grant initiatives. Oversee processes related to grant agreements, reimbursement requests, reporting, monitoring, and compliance with applicable state and federal requirements.
Expected Results: Grant programs are administered accurately, efficiently, and transparently, with timely reporting, appropriate financial controls, complete documentation, and strong compliance with funding requirements.
- Organizational Leadership and Daily Operations
Assist the State Broadband Director in managing the day-to-day operations of the Arkansas State Broadband Office. Coordinate staff responsibilities, establish operational priorities, improve internal processes, and ensure that critical functions are executed consistently and effectively.
Expected Results: The office operates with clearly defined responsibilities, effective communication, documented procedures, and a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Strategic Planning and Program Execution
Translate the office's strategic priorities into actionable work plans, measurable objectives, and operational deliverables. Coordinate across programs and functional areas to ensure that activities remain aligned with statewide broadband goals and available resources.
Expected Results: Strategic initiatives are supported by practical implementation plans, clear ownership, realistic timelines, and measurable performance indicators.
- Financial and Contract Management
Support oversight of program budgets, grant expenditures, contractor performance, and financial reporting. Coordinate with Department of Commerce financial, procurement, and legal personnel to facilitate responsible stewardship of public resources.
Expected Results: Financial and contractual obligations are managed responsibly, reimbursement and payment processes are timely and accurate, and potential financial or performance risks are identified and addressed.
- Stakeholder and Industry Engagement
Develop and maintain productive working relationships with internet service providers, broadband industry representatives, federal and state agencies, local governments, and other partners. Serve as a key point of contact for resolving operational challenges and coordinating broadband deployment activities.
Expected Results: Stakeholders receive timely, accurate information; project-related challenges are resolved efficiently; and strong working relationships support successful broadband deployment statewide.
- Performance Management and Continuous Improvement
Establish and maintain systems for tracking project progress, organizational performance, compliance obligations, and operational risks. Prepare regular updates and recommendations for the State Broadband Director, identify opportunities to streamline processes, and implement improvements that strengthen the office's effectiveness.
Expected Results: Office leadership has reliable, timely information to support decision-making, risks are addressed before they become significant problems, and organizational performance improves over time.
- Executive Leadership and Representation
Represent the Arkansas State Broadband Office in meetings, conferences, and discussions with government officials, industry representatives, and other stakeholders as directed. Assist the State Broadband Director with policy implementation, executive briefings, and other responsibilities necessary to advance the office's mission.
Expected Results: The office maintains a professional, credible, and responsive presence among stakeholders, and the Director receives effective operational and strategic support in advancing Arkansas's broadband priorities.
Position Information
Job Series: Infrastructure Support Classification: IT Infrastructure Architect – Competitive Class Code: IIS05C Pay Grade: IST11 Salary Range: $107,031 - $174,628
Job Summary
The IT Infrastructure Architect is a senior-level position, responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing the state's IT infrastructure. This includes managing the design and integration of hardware, software, networks, and data systems that support the state's technology initiatives. The role requires expertise in systems architecture, networking, cloud technologies, and enterprise-level infrastructure solutions. The IT Infrastructure Architect will work closely with other IT leaders, departments, and stakeholders to ensure that the infrastructure aligns with state goals, enhances operational efficiency, and meets security, compliance, and performance standards.
Primary Responsibilities
Design, plan, and implement scalable, secure, and efficient IT infrastructure systems for the state of Arkansas, including hardware, software, cloud solutions, networks, and storage systems. Ensure that the infrastructure is robust, resilient, and able to support state operations and data security requirements. Collaborate with various state agencies and departments to integrate new technologies and systems into existing infrastructure. Ensure seamless interoperability and compatibility across multiple platforms and systems, both on-premises and in the cloud. Continuously assess and optimize the performance of state IT infrastructure. Identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to enhance system reliability, speed, and efficiency while minimizing downtime. Ensure that the state’s infrastructure adheres to IT security best practices and complies with all relevant state, federal, and industry regulations (e.g., HIPAA, FISMA, PCI-DSS). Design infrastructure solutions with built-in security features, and monitor for potential vulnerabilities and security risks. Lead the strategy, design, and implementation of cloud infrastructure solutions, ensuring that cloud resources are effectively managed and aligned with the state’s broader IT goals. Manage the migration of on-premise infrastructure to cloud environments, optimizing costs and scalability. Design and implement disaster recovery and business continuity plans to ensure the state’s infrastructure can recover quickly from unexpected events. Regularly test and update plans to minimize downtime and data loss. Serve as a key advisor to senior leadership, government officials, and other stakeholders on infrastructure-related matters. Communicate complex technical information in a clear, concise manner to ensure alignment between infrastructure initiatives and state priorities. Lead the planning, execution, and management of infrastructure-related projects, including overseeing the installation, configuration, and maintenance of systems. Ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and on budget.
Knowledge and Skills
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.
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.
Licensure/Certifications
N/A OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.