How to hire a network operations project manager

How to hire a network operations project manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step network operations project manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a network operations project manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new network operations project manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a network operations project manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A network operations project manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, network operations project managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents network operations project manager salaries for various positions.

   Type of Network Operations Project Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Network Operations Project Manager	Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.	$25-50
   Program Administrator	Program administrators are responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating their organization's program or service. Their duties and responsibilities may vary depending on the industry they work at, such as educational, community, and social services... Show more	$16-35
   System Technician	A system technician is a professional responsible for supporting users with issues related to the computer system. System technicians conduct appropriate diagnostics on computer issues and must be able to explain technical issues to clients or team members... Show more	$12-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Network Operations
   • Project Management
   • Switches
   • Network Infrastructure
   • Compliance Issues
   • VoIP
   • Level Agreements
   • VPN
   • NOC
   • Configuration Management
   • Desktop Support
   • Network Services
   • Executive Management
   • WAN

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and align short- and long-term operational strategy and initiatives in carrier transport and IP applications.
   • Define processes and procedures for the NOC like change management, incidence management and problem management.
   • Develop and implement SAN fabric solution for in-house secondary storage.
   • Provide technical documentation and configuration changes for firewall rules and network schema.
   • Design and implement an upgrade infrastructure topology in order to support a Cisco VoIP deployment.
   • Provide technical consulting in design, development, testing and implementation of initiatives involving or impacting desktop services.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your network operations project manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A network operations project manager can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, network operations project managers' average salary in florida is 46% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level network operations project managers 51% less than senior-level network operations project managers.
   • Certifications. A network operations project manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a network operations project manager's salary.

   Average network operations project manager salary

   $74,746yearly

   $35.94 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level network operations project manager salary

   $52,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 26, 2025

4. Writing a network operations project manager job description

   A network operations project manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a network operations project manager job description:

   Network operations project manager job description example

   **Type of Requisition:** Regular
   
   **Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain:** Top Secret
   
   **Job Family:** Project/Task Management
   
   Skills/Experience Required by the Position:
   
   + While a PMP is not required of the position, the ability to organize and manage tasks through completion is essential.
   
   + Customer service is key to the success of any individual in this position.
   
   + Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
   
   + Position benefits from a working knowledge of network services or general IT. _(As a member of the EITS Network Operations Team support network services delivery requiring a working knowledge of VPN services, wireless networks, local/metropolitan area network services; and, Federal IT initiatives such as IPv6 and Trusted Internet Connections (TIC), other cyber initiatives and requirements in order to recommend or characterize the best approach to support customer requirements.)_
   
   + Given the direction of the OCIO, experience with Agile and/or Kanban methodology would be a strength any candidate would bring to the position.
   
   **Areas of Responsibility:**
   
   + Serve as the (contractor) project lead responsible for the Department of Energy's (DOE) Enterprise Network (Wide Area Network) (DOEnet) and support for all Energy Information Technology Services (EITS) Network Services.
   
   + Serve as a key participant on EITS initiatives to modernize, develop and implement an integrated approach to network services supporting cloud computing, unified communications and collaboration/enhanced communication tools, corporate applications and other services utilizing network infrastructure as transport.
   
   + Lead or support an array of projects in addition to day-to-day operations that includes for example:
   
   + OCIO IT Modernization - Enterprise, DOEnet-over-ESnet, Transport
   
   + NACP Network Delivery
   
   + GSA Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) Contract Transition
   
   + SME in the development of the SOW and responses to vendor questions to the Solicitation, and participant as an SME in the technical source selection evaluations.
   
   + SWPA Facility Relocation
   
   + Operational Initiatives
   
   + Cloud Connectivity (On going service delivery)
   
   + Network Refresh
   
   + Additional Areas of responsibility include:
   
   + coordination of service delivery ensuring contract requirements and timelines are met;
   
   + oversight of network services operations/performance - interacting with service providers, network engineering, network operations 24X7 staff, & Federal program managers & customers;
   
   + participating in financial management and budget development;
   
   + establishing and managing to service level agreements; and,
   
   + serve as the communications focal point for all Enterprise network services and issues with Federal managers & customers across the DOE complex;
   
   + proactively work with network engineers to identify service oversubscription in recommending required service (bandwidth) upgrades.
   
   + Work with the Designated Agency Representative (DAR) as an SME to contract for telecommunications services through the General Services Administration (GSA) Networx, regional contracts and commercial contracts, and the next generation Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) contract on behalf of the OCIO/EITS and all Agency customer requirements.
   
   + Work extensively with customers to document requirements and develop statements of work; and, with technical subject matter experts review service provider proposals to ensure requirements are met.
   
   + Provide customers with alternatives analysis and cost proposals in seeking the best possible solution to meet operational requirements in making source selection recommendations.
   
   + Responsible for developing and/or overseeing development of all program/project documentation to include briefing materials, interconnect security agreements, SOPs and planning documents.
   
   + Participate in the document development, coordination for review, and collection of assessment and authorization (A&A) documentation for network services.
   
   + Interface regularly with network cyber security team members on cyber related issues and application managers on networks services requirements.
   
   + Provide input and guidance on broader EITS organizational activities that include the configuration change process, life-cycle property management, standard operating procedures, and customer-facing communications
   
   + Work with other team project leads on ODC acquisition management and inventory control.
   
   + As a member of the Network Operations leadership team, mentor junior project coordinators/leads and other Team members regarding personal and professional growth and career opportunities; identify staffing and/or support issues to the Network Operations Contract Manager.
   
   + US Citizen
   
   COVID-19 Vaccination: GDIT does not have a vaccination mandate applicable to all employees. To protect the health and safety of its employees and to comply with customer requirements, however, GDIT may require employees in certain positions to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccination requirements will depend on the status of the federal contractor mandate and customer site requirements.
   
   We are GDIT. The people supporting some of the most complex government, defense, and intelligence projects across the country. We deliver. Bringing the expertise needed to understand and advance critical missions. We transform. Shifting the ways clients invest in, integrate, and innovate technology solutions. We ensure today is safe and tomorrow is smarter. We are there. On the ground, beside our clients, in the lab, and everywhere in between. Offering the technology transformations, strategy, and mission services needed to get the job done.
   
   GDIT is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected class.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find network operations project managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your network operations project manager job on Zippia to find and recruit network operations project manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with network operations project manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   While interviews are great, you will only sometimes learn enough from a conversation with a network operations project manager applicant. In those cases, having candidates complete a test project can go a long way in figuring out who's the most likely to succeed in the role. If you aren't a technical person and don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new network operations project manager

   Once you've found the network operations project manager candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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