What Does a Network Operations
Manager Do?
A network operations manager oversees the performance, availability, and reliability of an organization’s network infrastructure. This leadership role ensures that systems are monitored 24/7, incidents are escalated and resolved quickly, and planned changes follow documented procedures. They supervise network engineers and NOC staff, coordinate cross-functional response efforts, and manage vendors and service providers to uphold SLA commitments.
While not directly involved in day-to-day troubleshooting, the network operations manager must have a strong technical foundation to lead effectively. They develop operational procedures, maintain dashboards and KPIs, and lead post-incident reviews. They also play a central role in capacity planning, network upgrades, and supporting strategic IT projects across the business.
Looking to Hire a Network Operations Manager?
Speak with one of our recruiting experts today.
Network Operations Manager Core Responsibilities
- Lead network operations staff, including NOC analysts and network engineers
- Oversee 24/7 network monitoring, incident response, and escalation workflows
- Ensure uptime, performance, and availability of LAN, WAN, VPN, and wireless infrastructure
- Track key performance indicators (KPIs) and prepare reports for leadership
- Maintain SOPs, incident response protocols, and change management procedures
- Coordinate with vendors, ISPs, and MSPs to resolve issues and enforce SLAs
- Support infrastructure improvement projects and rollout planning
- Conduct root cause analyses and lead continuous improvement efforts
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Strong understanding of network infrastructure and protocols (TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, VLANs, DNS, DHCP)
- Familiarity with network monitoring platforms (e.g., SolarWinds, PRTG, Splunk)
- Proficiency with IT service management tools (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira)
- Knowledge of incident, change, and problem management frameworks
Soft skills
- Operational leadership and team supervision
- Strong communication and stakeholder reporting
- Critical thinking and decision-making under pressure
- Excellent documentation and process development
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer networking, or related field
Certifications
- Cisco CCNP or CompTIA Network+
- ITIL Foundation certification (required or strongly recommended)
- PMP or similar project management credential is also recommended for infrastructure project oversight
Preferred Qualifications
- 5–8 years of experience in network operations or engineering roles
- Prior leadership of NOC teams or enterprise infrastructure environments
- Experience with enterprise SLAs, vendor management, and compliance requirements
- Familiarity with SD-WAN, cloud-based networking, and automation tools
National Average Salary
Network operations manager salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Network Operations Manager is:
$101,252
Sample Job Description Templates for Network Operations Managers
Assistant Network Operations Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking an Assistant Network Operations Manager to support the leadership of our network operations team and assist in maintaining high availability across enterprise systems. This role is designed for experienced engineers or NOC supervisors stepping into a management track. You’ll help oversee monitoring workflows, coordinate with vendors, and assist in day-to-day network oversight.
Responsibilities
- Support the Network Operations Manager in overseeing daily NOC activities
- Coordinate incident response efforts and ensure timely resolution of escalated issues
- Assist in maintaining documentation for change management and operational runbooks
- Monitor key performance indicators and generate operational reports
- Collaborate with IT support, network engineers, and system admins on cross-functional issues
- Provide guidance and coaching to NOC analysts and junior engineers
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of enterprise networking technologies (LAN, WAN, VPN, VLANs)
- Familiarity with network monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Nagios, PRTG)
- Understanding of ticketing systems and change control workflows
Soft skills
- Emerging leadership and team coordination skills
- Strong written documentation and reporting habits
- Ability to multitask and remain calm under pressure
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in IT, networking, or related field
Certifications
- Cisco CCNA or CompTIA Network+ required
- ITIL Foundation recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 3–5 years of experience in a network engineering or NOC support role
- Previous supervisory experience or mentorship responsibilities
Mid-Level Network Operations Manager
Position Overview
We are hiring a Mid-Level Network Operations Manager to lead daily network operations, ensure SLA adherence, and manage performance monitoring across our IT infrastructure. This role requires a balance of technical knowledge and leadership skills to guide a team responsible for ensuring 24/7 uptime and operational continuity.
Responsibilities
- Manage network monitoring, incident response, and problem management across all systems
- Lead a team of network operations staff and ensure coverage across shifts
- Coordinate changes, escalations, and root cause analysis activities
- Maintain and improve operational documentation and response protocols
- Collaborate with network engineers, security teams, and third-party vendors
- Analyze trends and performance metrics to proactively address infrastructure risks
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong knowledge of routing, switching, firewalls, and remote connectivity protocols
- Proficiency with monitoring tools, incident tracking systems, and SLA dashboards
- Experience managing infrastructure in a hybrid (on-prem/cloud) environment
Soft skills
- Leadership and team development
- Analytical mindset with a focus on continuous improvement
- Excellent communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in information technology or related field
Certifications
- CCNP or equivalent required
- ITIL Foundation certification required
- Project management credentials (e.g., PMP) recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in network operations or infrastructure management
- Experience with vendor coordination and service provider escalation procedures
Senior Network Operations Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking a Senior Network Operations Manager to lead the overall health, security, and reliability of our enterprise network. In this role, you’ll manage NOC personnel, direct strategic initiatives, and ensure the uptime and performance of all critical systems. This position plays a key role in executive reporting and long-term infrastructure planning.
Responsibilities
- Oversee enterprise network operations, including 24/7 monitoring, alert management, and incident response
- Lead a cross-functional team of engineers, analysts, and shift leads
- Own the incident, problem, and change management lifecycle
- Develop and enforce SOPs, escalation protocols, and compliance standards
- Monitor KPIs and prepare operational performance reports for leadership
- Support infrastructure lifecycle projects, including upgrades, migrations, and audits
Requirements
Hard skills
- Expert-level knowledge of enterprise networking technologies and protocols
- Experience with multi-site infrastructure, SD-WAN, and cloud integration
- Deep familiarity with monitoring, logging, and automation platforms
Soft skills
- High-level leadership and performance management
- Strategic thinking and operational planning
- Ability to guide incident resolution under high-pressure conditions
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in IT or management is recommended
Certifications
- CCNP required; ITIL Intermediate or higher strongly preferred
- PMP or other project leadership credentials are recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 8+ years in IT operations with at least 3 in a leadership role
- Proven success managing high-availability enterprise environments
Director of Network Operations
Position Overview
We are looking for a Director of Network Operations to lead our infrastructure operations strategy and ensure the performance, scalability, and security of global network systems. This executive role is responsible for strategic direction, budgeting, vendor relationships, and cross-departmental alignment with organizational goals.
Responsibilities
- Define the vision, policies, and standards for network operations across the enterprise
- Lead cross-regional NOC and infrastructure support teams
- Set strategic goals for reliability, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency
- Oversee incident and change management frameworks
- Manage vendor contracts, budgets, and service delivery metrics
- Collaborate with IT leadership on modernization, disaster recovery, and compliance initiatives
Requirements
Hard skills
- In-depth understanding of enterprise networking, SD-WAN, and cloud connectivity
- Experience managing operational risk, compliance, and SLAs
- Familiarity with ITIL, ISO, or NIST-based operations frameworks
Soft skills
- Visionary leadership and ability to influence at the executive level
- Budgeting and resource management
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and vendor negotiation
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred
Certifications
- ITIL Expert or equivalent required
- PMP, CCNP/CCIE, or cloud leadership certifications recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of IT operations experience with 5+ in a director-level role
- Experience overseeing 24/7 global operations teams
VP of Infrastructure & Network Services
Position Overview
We are seeking a Vice President of Infrastructure & Network Services to provide strategic leadership over all infrastructure operations, including data centers, networking, cloud, and connectivity platforms. This executive will set organizational priorities, define modernization strategies, and oversee large-scale transformation initiatives across infrastructure domains.
Responsibilities
- Set the strategic direction for infrastructure operations and network services
- Lead global teams across data center, networking, cloud, and telecom operations
- Partner with the CIO and executive team on digital transformation initiatives
- Drive performance optimization, operational resilience, and scalability
- Own budgetary planning, cost optimization, and resource forecasting
- Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks and enterprise standards
Requirements
Hard skills
- Broad experience across network architecture, cloud operations, and enterprise IT platforms
- Knowledge of risk management, compliance, and operational governance
- Familiarity with cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, hybrid) and SDN
Soft skills
- Executive leadership and organizational influence
- Visionary planning and change management
- Exceptional communication with board-level stakeholders
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or master’s in information systems preferred
Certifications
- Executive-level certifications such as TOGAF, ITIL, or cloud strategy credentials recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 15+ years of IT infrastructure leadership experience
- Experience leading digital transformation or global expansion efforts