Project Manager / Deployment Manager — Network Infrastructure in FT Lauderdale, Florida at Five Rivers IT, Inc.

Overview
We are seeking an experienced Project Manager/Deployment Manager to lead a full network refresh initiative, including server upgrades, firewall replacements/upgrades, and related network infrastructure modernization. This role requires strong technical fluency, hands-on program management experience, and the ability to coordinate and lead multiple pods (work streams/teams) driving different components of the refresh simultaneously. The ideal candidate has managed large-scale infrastructure projects end-to-end and is comfortable working closely with network engineers, security teams, and vendors.
Key Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end project plan for a full network refresh, covering server hardware/OS upgrades, firewall replacement or reconfiguration, switching, routing, and related network infrastructure.
• Organize and manage multiple project pods/work streams (e.g., data center, firewall/security, network core, site rollouts), ensuring alignment on scope, timeline, and dependencies across teams.
• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules, resource plans, RAID logs (risks, actions, issues, decisions), and budgets.
• Coordinate cutover/migration windows, maintenance schedules, and downtime planning with minimal business disruption.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between technical pods, stakeholders, and leadership; provide regular status reporting and escalate risks proactively.
• Manage vendor and contractor relationships, including hardware/software procurement timelines, SOWs, and delivery schedules.
• Ensure change management, documentation, and compliance requirements are met throughout the refresh (e.g., change control boards, security sign-offs).
• Drive risk mitigation planning for firewall cutovers, server migrations, and network downtime scenarios.
• Facilitate cross-pod standups, sprint/phase reviews, and post-implementation reviews.
• Track and report on budget, timeline, and milestone delivery to senior leadership.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of project management experience, with at least 2–3 years managing IT infrastructure, network, or data center projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-team/multi-pod projects with interdependent workstreams.
• Solid working knowledge of networking concepts (firewalls, routers, switches, VLANs, VPNs) and server infrastructure (physical/virtual, OS upgrades, data center operations).
• Experience planning and executing cutover events, migrations, or infrastructure refresh cycles with minimal downtime.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills — able to translate technical detail for both engineers and executives.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, Asana) and reporting/dashboarding.
• Experience with change management and IT governance processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP, PRINCE2, or similar project management certification.
• Experience with specific firewall platforms (e.g., Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco ASA/Firepower) or network vendors.
• Familiarity with ITIL practices.
• Experience managing budgets in the six-to-seven-figure range for infrastructure programs.
• Background in leading cross-functional or matrixed teams without direct authority.

Key Attributes

• Highly organized with strong attention to detail across parallel work streams.
• Comfortable operating in high-stakes environments where downtime and security are critical concerns.
• Proactive communicator who can manage up, down, and across the organization.
• Calm under pressure during live cutover/migration events.

Location & Travel
This role is based in the Fort Lauderdale Office and will require some travel to the Juno Beach Head Quarters and Miami offices should be expected to support site rollouts, pod coordination, and stakeholder alignment across locations — cadence will vary depending on refresh phase and cutover schedules. Candidates should be based within a commutable distance of the Palm Beach / Broward / Miami-Dade corridor.