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Technology strategist vs director, network operations

The differences between technology strategists and directors, network operations can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a technology strategist, becoming a director, network operations takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a director, network operations has an average salary of $140,236, which is higher than the $138,362 average annual salary of a technology strategist.

The top three skills for a technology strategist include digital transformation, azure and architecture. The most important skills for a director, network operations are network management, network development, and SAN.

Technology strategist vs director, network operations overview

Technology StrategistDirector, Network Operations
Yearly salary$138,362$140,236
Hourly rate$66.52$67.42
Growth rate16%28%
Number of jobs67,147103,623
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4747
Years of experience86

What does a technology strategist do?

A technology strategist spearheads the development of a company's technological structures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around conducting research and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a company's information technology systems, designing and implementing strategies to optimize operations, coordinating with different departments to identify their needs, and assessing existing structures to recommend enhancement for optimal quality. Furthermore, a technology strategist may provide technical support and mentor staff, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations when it comes to information technology.

What does a director, network operations do?

As a network operations director, you will be responsible for overseeing the availability and overall performance of a company's network. You will perform varied tasks that include analyzing the network and recommending changes or upgrades, ensuring compliance to best practices, promoting continuous information operations, and overseeing other technical resources. A network operations director is expected to provide expertise in networking and operating system and project management. You are responsible for managing all vendor-related support contracts for software, hardware, and connectivity.

Technology strategist vs director, network operations salary

Technology strategists and directors, network operations have different pay scales, as shown below.

Technology StrategistDirector, Network Operations
Average salary$138,362$140,236
Salary rangeBetween $95,000 And $200,000Between $102,000 And $191,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryInsuranceHospitality

Differences between technology strategist and director, network operations education

There are a few differences between a technology strategist and a director, network operations in terms of educational background:

Technology StrategistDirector, Network Operations
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Technology strategist vs director, network operations demographics

Here are the differences between technology strategists' and directors, network operations' demographics:

Technology StrategistDirector, Network Operations
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 82.9% Female, 17.1%Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 14.0% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 7.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage11%12%

Differences between technology strategist and director, network operations duties and responsibilities

Technology strategist example responsibilities.

  • Lead software vendor evaluations, RFP process, selections and negotiations.
  • Switch data network from frame relay to manage internet with VPN.
  • Manage a team of programmers in administering human resources and payroll processes for 6000 employees.
  • Lead a series of enterprise OS upgrades and applications enhancements to replace lease terminal device services.
  • Maintain all departmental training documents and manage escalated tickets queues to ensure timely resolutions while exceeding SLA's.
  • Manage service and maintenance subcontractors for diesel generators, fire alarms, building automation, security and HVAC systems.
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Director, network operations example responsibilities.

  • Manage conversion from dumb terminals to PC's.
  • Manage meetings and reports for subscription and transitional projects for DoD accounts.
  • Help ensure PCI, HIPAA, and HITECH compliance are achieved and maintain.
  • Manage the network operation group as well as provide Sr. level UNIX administration.
  • Lead transition from VMS to Unix base systems and databases from legacy VMS base platforms.
  • Lead the implementation of a LAN-to-LAN VPN network connecting all company sites through secure Internet gateways.
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Technology strategist vs director, network operations skills

Common technology strategist skills
  • Digital Transformation, 25%
  • Azure, 11%
  • Architecture, 10%
  • Healthcare, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Business Value, 4%
Common director, network operations skills
  • Network Management, 8%
  • Network Development, 8%
  • SAN, 7%
  • Direct Reports, 7%
  • IPA, 7%
  • Gap Analysis, 5%

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