Job Title: Manager - Network Administrator
Job Summary
The Manager - Network Administrator is responsible for overseeing the entire network infrastructure of an organization, ensuring security, efficiency, and scalability. This role involves strategic planning, team management, policy enforcement, and collaboration with executives to align network operations with business objectives. The Manager provides leadership in implementing advanced network solutions and optimizing network performance, ensuring that the organization’s networking capabilities support its overall mission and goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute network infrastructure strategies aligned with business goals.
- Lead and manage a team of network administrators and engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
- Ensure the security, stability, and scalability of network infrastructure through proactive monitoring and maintenance.
- Oversee the design, deployment, and maintenance of enterprise network solutions, ensuring they meet organizational needs.
- Manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and oversee service level agreements (SLAs) to ensure optimal service delivery.
- Implement and enforce security policies, compliance regulations, and industry best practices to safeguard network integrity.
- Perform risk assessments and develop disaster recovery and business continuity plans to mitigate potential disruptions.
- Oversee network performance monitoring, capacity planning, and optimization to ensure efficient resource utilization.
- Budget and resource planning for network-related projects and infrastructure, ensuring cost-effective solutions.
- Ensure timely upgrades, patches, and maintenance for network hardware and software to maintain optimal performance.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, training, and mentorship within the team to enhance skills and knowledge.
- Collaborate with executive leadership to drive digital transformation initiatives that enhance business operations.
- Stay up to date with emerging networking technologies and recommend innovations that could benefit the organization.
Skills and Knowledge Required
- Expert knowledge of networking protocols and architectures (BGP, OSPF, MPLS, SD-WAN, QoS).
- Strong understanding of cybersecurity, risk management, and compliance frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR).
- Proficiency in network automation and orchestration tools (Ansible, Terraform, Python).
- Extensive experience with enterprise network hardware and security solutions (Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, Fortinet).
- Strong project management skills, including Agile and ITIL methodologies.
- Ability to manage cross-functional teams and drive strategic initiatives effectively.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Educational Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Advanced certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, CISSP, PMP, or equivalent.
Key Focus Areas
- Enterprise network architecture and strategic planning.
- Security enforcement, compliance, and risk management.
- Performance optimization, scalability, and business continuity.
- Team leadership, training, and professional development.
- Budget management and cost-effective network solutions.
Experience
- 8+ years of experience in network administration, with at least 3-5 years in a managerial or leadership role.
- Proven experience in leading large-scale network deployments and security initiatives.
Tools and Equipment
- Enterprise-level networking and security solutions (Cisco ACI, Fortinet, Palo Alto, Check Point).
- Network monitoring and performance tools (SolarWinds, Splunk, Nagios, PRTG).
- Cloud networking platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
- Automation and scripting tools (Python, PowerShell, Ansible, Terraform).
- IT service management platforms (ServiceNow, Jira, ITIL frameworks).
Other Requirements
- Strong ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.
- Ability to work under pressure and handle critical network incidents effectively.
- Excellent analytical skills and strategic decision-making capabilities.
- Strong presentation and reporting skills for executive stakeholders.