What Does a Network Operations
Manager Do?
A network operations manager oversees an organization’s IT network infrastructure, ensuring systems operate efficiently, reliably, and securely. They manage technical teams responsible for monitoring networks, troubleshooting performance issues, and coordinating timely outage responses. Network operations managers implement and enforce standards for network security, including firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems. They analyze network performance metrics, recommend enhancements, and maintain relationships with technology vendors to ensure optimal service delivery.
Additionally they collaborate with internal stakeholders across departments to identify IT needs, develop strategic plans, and execute upgrades or network expansions. Through proactive leadership and hands-on technical oversight, they minimize downtime, safeguard organizational data, and support business continuity, ultimately enabling employees and systems to operate at peak productivity.
Looking to Hire a Network Operations Manager?
Speak with one of our recruiting experts today.
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
Network Operations Manager Job Requirements
A network operations manager should possess strong experience managing complex IT networks and leading technical teams. Expertise in network security, performance optimization, and incident response is essential.
Experience
- 5+ years managing IT network operations teams
- Proven record of maintaining and troubleshooting complex networks
- Experience developing network security strategies and policies
Hard skills
- Network infrastructure management (LAN/WAN)
- Network monitoring and diagnostic tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Nagios)
- Firewall, VPN, and intrusion detection systems configuration
- Cloud networking expertise (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
Soft skills
- Exceptional leadership and team-building capabilities
- Clear and effective communication
- Strategic analysis and proactive problem-solving
- Strong prioritization and organizational abilities
Education and certifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related discipline preferred
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or similar certification preferred
- ITIL certification beneficial
Network Operations Manager
Job Descriptions
It’s important to include the right content in your job description when hiring a network operations manager. The following examples can serve as templates for attracting the best available talent for your team.
Example 1
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
Example 2
Purpose
The Network Operations Manager will lead the team that supports and maintains OT network infrastructure systems in order to meet company goals and provide a reliable and effective infrastructure for ABC Company’s manufacturing controls systems.
Responsibilities
- Monitor, manage, and mentor OT network operations/support tech team
- Ensure the primary infrastructure systems within the OT network (network devices, servers, workstations, VDI systems, camera systems) are effectively maintained, and administered to ensure smooth reliable operations
- Ensure effective monitoring, maintenance, and administration of automated network, server, power, and security alerting systems
- Ensure effective monitoring, maintenance, and administration of automated backup systems to ensure data continuity and integrity for all OT systems
- Oversee coordination and communication with the various manufacturing plants to provide effective support during maintenance downtimes. Ensure OT systems are as updated and current as possible
- Oversee OT incidents, requests, and change management within ServiceNow. Ensure SLAs are correctly defined and met
- Ensure maintenance of effective 24-7 plant operations with rotating on-call schedule, escalation paths, and emergency response plans
- Oversee maintenance of OT infrastructure inventory and ensure maintenance of critical spares at all facilities
- Ensure effective coordination and cooperation with the IT ServiceDesk to smoothly facilitate the resolution of cross domain incidents/requests
- Oversee, maintain, administer, and develop automated OT infrastructure systems, workflows, and scripts
- Oversee, maintain, and build documentation for both end users and OT staff
- Coordinate and collaborate with the rest of OT, IT, Engineering and the business at large to identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement
- Model Company core values
Required qualifications
- Bachelors of Science in Technology/Engineering fields with 5 years of experience in IT infrastructure/management role, masters degree in a related field, or 10 years of IT management/engineering experience
- Strong demonstrable fundamental technical knowledge of networks, systems, and general IT systems (email, phones, word processors etc)
- Experience with several of the following technical areas: Server hardware, enterprise storage hardware/software, VMWare (ESXi, vcenter, and Horizon), network switches/routers/firewalls (Cisco preferred), enterprise backup software, enterprise monitoring software, Microsoft Windows (server and desktop), Linux, Microsoft SQL, Python, PowerShell, VBScript, and/or Ansible
- Thorough knowledge of ITSM best practices and supporting systems (SNOW preferred)
- Management/supervisory experience
- Excellent logical troubleshooting skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with direct reports, senior management, and other departments
- Excellent verbal, listening, and written communication skills
- Ability to work in and maintain a highly functional team environment
Preferred qualifications
- Masters and five years of IT infrastructure management experience
- Industry certifications relevant to the role (CCNP or higher, VMWare related certifications, CISSP/CISA, ITIL/ITSM related certifications)
- Experience with ITOps/AIOps and the automation of systems
- Experience and familiarity with manufacturing control system components like PLCs, SCADA systems, HMIs etc
- Experience supporting highly reliable/highly critical systems found in areas like healthcare, manufacturing, or government
Example 3
Key responsibilities
Lead and manage on-site shows and facility installations and set-up in daily operations. Capable of multitasked crew leadership or may supervise Operation Supervisor(s) at larger facilities. Clearly communicate and assign priorities to crews on site. Cognizant of all aspects of facility and company interfaces. Serve as General Manager during his/her absence. Responsible for leading, directing, and delegating work, motivating, managing performance and employee relation issues, attendance issues, and providing career guidance to direct reports.
Essential functions
1. Manage crews or Operations Supervisor(s), equipment, and company assets at assigned facility. Day-to-day responsibilities for planning and set up of shows. Request and order all needed materials for shows. Manage and assign work to Operations Supervisor(s) or senior technicians and assures completion within established time frames to meet customer expectations. Assess need and resolve issues during installations. Develop annual written evaluations of staff and provide verbal coaching.
2. Read and understand plans and schematics for development of permanent facility services for copper wire and fiber infrastructure. Contribute to design and presents options to facility management for operational maintenance and show facilitation.
3. Lead crews at assigned sites in installation of company services, permanent tenant maintenance and provide connectivity to switches and/or routers during set up.
4. Regular and consistent attendance, particularly as a role model leader.
Qualifications
- Education: High School or GED with some college preferred
- Experience: 5–7 years in convention/show experience and data/ telecommunications industry. 3–5 years supervisory experience
- Specific Skills: Good listener and clearly communicates in English
- Specialized Knowledge, Licenses, etc. Thorough knowledge in telephone connectivity and router switch utilization and function
- Supervisory Responsibility, if any: Manage and lead crews of 2–25.
- Working Conditions: Work in high places pulling cable and in small dusty areas installing cabling
Example 4
The Network Operations Manager role will offer you the flexibility to make each day your own, while working alongside people who care so that you can deliver on the following responsibilities:
- Manage the development of solutions for application design and IT infrastructure components
- Mentor team members to enhance their understanding of the end-to-end performance of IT platforms
- Ensure compliance with policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures
- Ensure regular and effective monitoring of performance and capacity metrics for technology solutions
Minimum required experiences
- 6 years of relevant professional work experience
Desired experiences
- Bachelor degree or equivalent
- Familiarity with enterprise technologies including but not limited to Cisco Meraki, Wireless, routing/switching, SD WAN, ISE, DNS, Zscaler, F5 load balancers, or CheckPoint firewalls
- Strong focus on ensuring a high level of support for end users and services that leverage our network to deliver business value
- Build strong partnerships with internal teams as well as other key partners to ensure life cycle management services are provided effectively