Network operations managers plan, direct, maintain, and coordinate network installation, maintenance, and operations. They oversee the operation data centers for their companies through recruiting, leading, and mentoring teams of network engineers. These managers use strategic planning to ensure their team members stay on schedule. Network operations managers are also responsible for ensuring compliance with company policies and guidelines.
Sample job description
Network Operations Managers use their understanding of network equipment and protocols alongside their management skills to maintain, direct, and coordinate the network needs of their business. They install, maintain, upgrade, and monitor all network strategies while training and leading teams of network engineers while maintaining company policy and guidelines. Are you a great planner? Are you a network master with a thorough understanding of the hardware and software needed to keep your company’s employees talking to each other and the world? If so, you might love being a network operations manager for our company! Please apply.
Typical duties and responsibilities
- Plan, direct, maintain, and coordinate network installation, maintenance, and operations
- Recruit, manage and mentor a team of network engineers
- Create troubleshooting and maintenance protocols
- Select hardware, software, and vendors according to organizational needs and budgets
- Ensure compliance with company policies and guidelines
- Configure, monitor and troubleshoot network problems
Education and experience
This position requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Some employers prefer that job candidates have a master’s degree for certain jobs and career advancement.
Required skills and qualifications
- Proficient in recruiting, leading and mentoring employees
- Thorough understanding of wireless networking and general IT functions
- Policy development and enforcement skills
- Expertise in written and verbal communication
- Excellent troubleshooting, problem-solving and collaborative skills
- Keen attention to detail
Preferred qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- 6 or more years of experience with providers and analytics
- Strong Excel skills
- Strong network operations acumen with proficiency in process, project management, and auditing
Average salary and compensation
The average salary for a network operations manager is $93,250 in the United States. Position salary will vary based on experience, education, company size, industry, and market.
| Location | Salary Low | Salary High |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, Arizona | $92,750 | $125,450 |
| Los Angeles, California | $104,650 | $141,550 |
| Denver, Colorado | $87,200 | $117,950 |
| Washington, DC | $106,200 | $143,700 |
| Miami, Florida | $86,800 | $117,450 |
| Orlando, Florida | $80,050 | $108,300 |
| Tampa, Florida | $80,850 | $109,400 |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $84,800 | $114,750 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $97,500 | $131,900 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $105,400 | $142,650 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota | $84,000 | $113,650 |
| New York City, New York | $110,950 | $150,150 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $90,350 | $122,250 |
| Dallas, Texas | $88,000 | $119,050 |
| Houston, Texas | $87,200 | $117,950 |
| Seattle, Washington | $101,450 | $137,250 |
| National Average | $79,250 | $107,250 |
Typical work environment
The network operations manager will spend a significant amount of time in an office environment. Most of this time will be seated at a computer and any business locations that require networks to be installed. This may mean travel and visitation of sites, and long hours standing, squatting, or walking may be necessary to complete tasks.
Typical hours
The typical work hours for a network operations manager are from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Available certifications
As network operations managers work in a variety of industries, there are many institutions that offer certifications, including:
- Network5. This EC-Council beginner-level course provides the holder with basic networking concepts and best practices. You’ll be introduced to the world of networking, and learn the vital processes of how businesses interact internally, and with their clients and customers. This is an excellent introductory course to begin your journey to a senior-level position within the field.
- Project Manager Professional. After obtaining this designation, you’ll demonstrate a solid foundational knowledge of competent project management. You’ll be thoroughly tested in the domains of initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing a project. This globally recognized certification will take you far in demonstrating your leadership ability.
- Security5. This certification offered by EC-Council provides the holder with the invaluable knowledge of setting up a secure network for a company. You’ll learn basic network literacy and foundational security concepts needed in the entire IT world. By obtaining this certification, you’ll demonstrate your commitment to keeping your company’s data and business operations safe.
- CCNP Service Provider Operations. This Cisco certification offers knowledge and skills required by high-level engineers to troubleshoot and resolve complex network issues. With this on hand, you demonstrate your ability to isolate performance problems within a network, design and implement proactive measures to prevent interruptions, and learn management processes, frameworks, and network management systems.
Career path
This position requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, although a master’s degree is generally preferred. A network operations manager will typically advance to more executive positions such as director of information systems, chief information officer (CIO), or VP of technology after years of experience.
US, Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook
SOC Code: 11-3021
| 2020 Employment | 482,000 |
| Projected Employment in 2030 | 534,600 |
| Projected 2020-2030 Percentage Shift | 11% increase |
| Projected 2020-2030 Numeric Shift | 52,700 increase |
Position trends
According to the website Network World, one trend that will affect networking sectors is the expanded use of wireless technology. Innovation in smart devices means accessing networks will need to improve. Another growing trend is the switch to systems that favor SD-WAN technology. With the growth of multi-cloud networking and the need for secure access to cloud applications, more businesses are willing to re-tool their networks to ensure security.
Sample interview questions
- What would you consider your management style to be?
- How do you think handling a team of engineers is different then a team of other experts?
- Can you describe some of the networking software tools you’re most familiar with?
- How would you go about troubleshooting high CPU utilization in a router?
- What would you do in a situation in which a router’s WAN link went down?
- Is it normal to get CRC errors on MPLS WAN?
- What would happen if one port out of an 8-port EtherChannel goes down?
