AV Solutions Manager

AV Solutions Manager
Chicago, IL - hybrid WFH: 3 days onsite in the loop + 2 days work from home
*Travel will be required for projects where you could be gone for 2-3 weeks at a time, but travel comes in waves and is not a consistent every month thing*

Summary
This is a full-time, direct hire role with a global professional services firm, that has been around for 150+ years, and offers stability + growth opportunities.
The AV Solutions Manager will be managing the overall AV solutions for our conference room set up across the U.S., and globally, in addition informal collaboration spaces, and offsite meetings in third party facilities. But to be clear, you will not have a team a direct reports, although will be leading a team.
You will be leading an AV Architect + AV Engineer + a team of AV technicians. You will report to the Sr Network Services Manager, and work closely with a team of 8 Network Engineers/Architects, Unified Communication Engineers/Architects, AV Engineers
You will collaborate with key business stakeholders to understand business goals for the conference room set up, and lead the technical solution design that meets these goals. You will also oversee the technical implementation of the solutions that you design, and oversee the team doing the engineering, testing and support.

What you'll be doing

• Lead the entire solution set, and team delivering AV solutions globally
• Define AV strategy, design and implementation across all offices.
• Establish solutions across managed conference centers which host client meetings, scheduled multi-purpose rooms, informal collaboration spaces, moot court and user training facilities, and offsite meetings in third party facilities.
• Solution design will leverage premium AV solutions from top industry partners to create a globally consistent standard of quality, while incorporating office needs as appropriate.
• Integrate AV and UC solutions to create a seamless user experience.
• Engage with key stakeholders to define and meet business requirements, deliver a premium user experience and validate consistent service delivery exists across all offices.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key AV systems integrators who can implement and support office needs locally, regionally or globally, as appropriate.
• Directly lead a team of AV solution architects and engineers, and maintain appropriate staffing levels ongoing.
• Collaborate with IT colleagues for room scheduling applications, AV bridge operations and AV support roles across our offices.
• Collaborate with our IT Operations Center for ongoing solutions monitoring of global and local technical solutions to ensure continuous operations.
• Develop and track key performance metrics to validate quality of service.
• Appropriately plan, establish and manage budget to cover required investments, including global / site specific equipment and solutions refreshes.
• Set and support global standards for AV systems including AV hardware, network interfacing naming conventions, and usage of best practices.
• Manage AV design and implementation projects from initiation to closure, including gathering requirements with key stakeholders, establishing budgets, coordinating purchasing, system design, project management, implementation coordination across staffed and contracted resources, system testing, user testing and system documentation.
• Review with the AV Architect the implementation project scope of work (SOW) and accompanying bill of materials (BOM) to ensure alignment with set requirements, completeness of design and adherence to standards.
• Work with the AV Collaboration Manager to oversee enterprise operations of conference rooms globally; collaborating with colleagues across AV infrastructure engineers, video admins, VIP / white glove AV techs and general support services.
• Lead the design of systems with a wide array of AV equipment and services, including video teleconferencing, audio systems, projection systems and flat panel displays, video walls, wired and wireless microphone systems, control systems and collaborative technology, such as SMART boards and touch screen interfaces.
• Lead testing, evaluation and implementation of new technologies, including collaboration technologies and wireless presentation and video conferencing equipment to increase service levels and reduce costs.
• Responsible for AV system installations, including on-site vendor coordination, system testing , quality control and issues/punch list remediation.
• Manage equipment lifecycle and maintain accurate inventory, which includes videoconferencing units, sound equipment, projectors and recording equipment.
• Create and maintain appropriate AV content on the intranet and support knowledge base.
• Maintain high level of current awareness of new technologies and technology trends associated with audio visual and presentation technology.
• Coordinate regular health checks and preventive maintenance of the room presentation and conference center technology; track and remediate all issues.
• Flexible to travel and work additional hours, as needed.

Skills we're seeking

• 10+ years of experience with AV Engineering or Architecture
• 5+ years of experience doing AV Design/Architecture
• Must have experience leading or managing AV teams and projects
• Must have experience with Crestron, ideally Crestron Fusion
• Must have experience with Cisco products
• Must have experience with MS Teams
• Must have experience overseeing project delivery for AV solutions
• Must have a High School Diploma or GED, but a higher level degree is desired

Nice to haves

• Experience with Cisco TAC
• Experience with Cisco Call Manager
• Experience with Zoom
• Experience with Polycom
• Experience with Audio/Video IP (data network) appliances
• Networking experience (more the better)
• Programming skills (C, C++, Python, Scripting)
• Experience with EMS scheduling software
• Relevant AV, Cisco and/or Networking Certifications
• Bachelor's Degree in a technical field