Position Overview

The Network Operations Manager plays a critical role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of an organization’s network infrastructure, ensuring high availability, performance, and security. This position requires a strategic thinker and hands-on leader who is skilled at managing teams, maintaining network health, troubleshooting complex issues, and planning for future growth and scalability.

The ideal candidate will possess strong technical expertise in network systems, excellent leadership abilities, and a proactive approach to meeting business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Management:

• Monitor, maintain, and enhance the performance and reliability of network systems, including LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi, and cloud-based networks.
• Establish, document, and enforce operational standards, procedures, and best practices for network operations.
• Oversee incident response and ensure timely resolution of network outages, degradation, or cyber incidents.

Team Leadership:

• Manage and mentor a team of network engineers, analysts, and technicians to optimize performance and foster skills development.
• Prioritize and delegate tasks, ensuring projects and issue resolutions align with business timelines.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including IT, cybersecurity, and business units, to accomplish organizational goals.

Network Performance and Reliability:

• Conduct regular audits of network infrastructure, identify risks, and implement improvements.
• Analyze traffic data and performance metrics to recommend enhancements.
• Plan and execute network upgrades, integrating new technologies while minimizing disruption to business services.

Strategic Planning and Scalability:

• Develop and maintain a roadmap for long-term network growth and capacity planning aligned with business objectives.
• Manage network budgets, vendor relationships, and procurement of hardware, software, and services.
• Research and evaluate emerging technologies to determine potential benefits for the organization.

Compliance and Security:

• Ensure network operations align with industry regulations and company cybersecurity policies.
• Develop and implement disaster recovery strategies and business continuity plans related to network operations.
• Work with security teams to monitor and mitigate vulnerabilities and threats.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (Master’s degree a plus).
• 5+ years of experience in network operations, with at least 2 years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Advanced knowledge of networking concepts, such as routing, switching, VLANs, VPNs, firewalls, and network security.
• Hands-on experience with network monitoring tools, configuration management, and troubleshooting methods.
• Familiarity with cloud-based network services (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and hybrid network environments.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Preferred Certifications:

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or higher (e.g., CCIE).
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
• ITIL Foundation or equivalent in IT service management.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for cross-department collaboration and vendor negotiations.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• Innovative mindset and a willingness to drive continuous improvement initiatives.