What does a network operations manager do?
Network operations managers are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for managing the operation and stability of an organization's network. These managers usually work with local area networks (LAN) or sometimes with wide area networks (WAN), where information can be shared in a building or between different locations. They serve as the middlemen between the IT department and the company's management team to provide an understanding of their IT needs. Network operations managers must also assist the human resource team in recruiting new employees and providing training related to the field of information technology.
Network operations manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real network operations manager resumes:
- Manage replacement of outdate phone system with state of the art PBX system, implement voicemail and ACD functionality.
- Manage all voice and data contracts as well as configuration, maintenance, and support of VPN connectivity to remote sites.
- Generate RFP s, accept bids, negotiate contracts, manage contractors, and scrutinize invoices with the authority to approve.
- Develop windows batch scripts to automate system administration tasks.
- Lead vendor negotiations for worldwide computer network, and telecommunication contracts.
- Manage large-scale SharePoint installation which manage SOX audit documentation for global organization.
- Modify switches, routers, and hub configurations ensuring optimum network performance for classify and unclassify data infrastructure.
- Create both internal and external firewalls using Linux.
- Direct surveillance, OAMP of broadband & voice networks.
- Support architecture for RFP validation and proof of concept testing.
- Determine proper KPI data for reporting productivity and trending issues.
- Implement Citrix, allowing remote offices to work on large system maps using limit bandwidth.
- Identify all overage gaps in staffing across the network and provide appropriate recommendations to remedy.
- Monitor and upgrade resources such as bandwidth, QoS, and port availability base on performance monitoring reports.
- Work on IP/BGP, Multicast, MPLS and Layer2 switching technologies for various network installs, migrations and testing.
Network operations manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Network Operations Managers are proficient in Network Operations, Project Management, and Network Infrastructure. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Multitasking skills.
We break down the percentage of Network Operations Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Network Operations, 17%
Coordinate Network Operations activities in Kentucky with President of Kentucky Division as the personal representative of General Manager - Network Operations.
- Project Management, 6%
Coordinate with DISA NS2 leadership to develop operational strategies, project management coordination, customer support matrix and reporting portfolios.
- Network Infrastructure, 5%
Evaluated and monitored the reporting of Navy network infrastructure performance through trend analysis using various applications directly supporting fleet operations worldwide.
- Customer Service, 5%
Maintained superior customer service in all buildings, which included installation and removal of telecommunication equipment on a daily basis.
- Switches, 4%
Modified switches, routers, and hub configurations ensuring optimum network performance for classified and unclassified data infrastructure.
- NOC, 4%
Developed the NOC Interdepartmental weekly meeting agendas to facilitate the interaction with others departments and vendors.
"network operations," "project management," and "network infrastructure" are among the most common skills that network operations managers use at work. You can find even more network operations manager responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a network operations manager to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Network operations managers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "govern service provider performance against service level agreements through resource unit analysis and incident, break/fix metrics. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling network operations manager duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." According to a network operations manager resume, here's how network operations managers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "negotiated communications provisioning from local carrier to support dod missions. "
Multitasking skills. This is an important skill for network operations managers to perform their duties. For an example of how network operations manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "administrators may have to work on many problems and tasks at the same time." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a network operations manager: "used multitasking and knowledge in unix and aol proprietary systems while working individually in an overnight setting. ".
Problem-solving skills. network operations manager responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This resume example shows what network operations managers do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "maintain ownership for data center / call center, managed escalated issues until successful resolution. "
The three companies that hire the most network operations managers are:
- Meta56 network operations managers jobs
- Amazon2 network operations managers jobs
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.2 network operations managers jobs
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Compare different network operations managers
Network operations manager vs. Network security engineer
A network security engineer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of all the organization's network systems, conducting regular configuration and maintenance to avoid unauthorized access and suspicious activities that may pose risks for the company's integrity. Network security engineers manage security threats and strategize resolutions to mitigate the reoccurrence of security issues. They also develop security enhancement recommendations, update network infrastructure, and monitor system activities. A network security engineer should have excellent communication and technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between network operations managers and network security engineer. For instance, network operations manager responsibilities require skills such as "network operations," "project management," "customer service," and "noc." Whereas a network security engineer is skilled in "windows," "troubleshoot," "routers," and "servers." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Network security engineers earn the highest salaries when working in the retail industry, with an average yearly salary of $95,160. On the other hand, network operations managers are paid more in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $109,619.The education levels that network security engineers earn slightly differ from network operations managers. In particular, network security engineers are 2.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a network operations manager. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Network operations manager vs. Senior network engineer
A senior network engineer is responsible for managing the organization's network infrastructure, handling advanced network issues, upgrading the system's design for optimization, configuring network features, and ensuring the network's highest security measures to avoid unauthorized access and suspicious activities. Senior network engineers work with network architects to implement network designs, run diagnostic tests, and create network solution reports for review and recovery reference. A senior network engineer must have excellent communication and organization skills and broad knowledge of the technology industry, programming languages, and system codes.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real network operations manager resumes. While network operations manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "network operations," "project management," "customer service," and "noc," senior network engineers use skills like "troubleshoot," "eigrp," "nexus," and "load balancers."
Senior network engineers may earn a higher salary than network operations managers, but senior network engineers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $112,997. On the other hand, network operations managers receive higher pay in the hospitality industry, where they earn an average salary of $109,619.In general, senior network engineers achieve similar levels of education than network operations managers. They're 1.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for network operations managers in the next 3-5 years?
R. Scott Hengen
Technical Theatre Faculty/Production Coordinator, Montgomery College
Network operations manager vs. Manager
Managers are responsible for a specific department, function, or employee group. They oversee their assigned departments and all the employees under the department. Managers are responsible that the department they are handling is functioning well. They set the department goals and the steps they must take to achieve the goals. They are also in charge of assessing the performance of their departments and their employees. Additionally, managers are responsible for interviewing prospective candidates for department vacancies and assessing their fit to the needs of the department. Managers also set the general working environment in the department, and they are expected to ensure that their employees remain motivated.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from network operations manager resumes include skills like "network operations," "project management," "network infrastructure," and "switches," whereas a manager is more likely to list skills in "payroll," "food safety," "financial statements," and "management. "
Managers earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $71,781. Comparatively, network operations managers have the highest earning potential in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $109,619.Most managers achieve a lower degree level compared to network operations managers. For example, they're 5.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Network operations manager vs. Network engineer
A network engineer is responsible for managing a network system, monitoring its performance, and upgrading its features to optimize performance and boost efficiency. Network engineers also create new systems, designing them based on clients' specifications and business needs. They also check network defects, perform troubleshooting, improve data security systems, and install security updates. A network engineer must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a broad understanding of system codes, programming languages, and network configurations.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between network operations managers and network engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a network operations manager might have more use for skills like "network operations," "project management," "customer service," and "itil." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of network engineers require skills like "troubleshoot," "firewall," "eigrp," and "network design. "
The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for network engineers, with average annual pay of $90,927. Comparatively, the highest network operations manager annual salary comes from the hospitality industry.In general, network engineers hold similar degree levels compared to network operations managers. Network engineers are 2.6% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of network operations manager
Updated January 8, 2025
