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Director Network Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Guild

Director, Network Operations

$120K - $180K/yr

Position Summary The Director, Network Operations plays an important role in the organization by performing a number of activities related to the company's Information Technology functions. The role ...

DTCC

Director Network Operations Engineering

Tampa, FL · On-site

The Impact You Will Have in This Role As Director, Network Operations Engineering , you will lead the strategy, architecture, and operational excellence of enterprise network services that support ...

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$34K

$107.7K

$179.5K

How much do director network operations jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for director network operations in the United States is $107,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $135,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the main challenges a Director of Network Operations faces when managing large-scale network infrastructures?

One of the primary challenges for a Director of Network Operations is ensuring high network availability and reliability across multiple sites while responding quickly to outages or performance issues. Managing a diverse team of engineers, prioritizing projects, and keeping up with evolving technologies also present ongoing difficulties. Additionally, balancing security requirements with operational efficiency and coordinating with other IT and business units to align network strategies with organizational goals are key aspects of the role. Successful directors proactively implement robust monitoring, clear escalation paths, and continuous process improvements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Network Operations, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Network Operations, you need expertise in network architecture, management, and security, supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with network monitoring tools, enterprise routing and switching platforms, and certifications such as CCNP or CCIE are typically required. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities set exceptional candidates apart in this role. These skills are crucial for ensuring network reliability, driving continuous improvement, and leading teams to support organizational goals.

What does a Director of Network Operations do?

A Director of Network Operations oversees the management, maintenance, and optimization of an organization's computer networks. They are responsible for ensuring network reliability, security, and performance while leading a team of network engineers and technicians. The role often involves strategic planning, budget management, setting operational policies, and collaborating with other IT leaders to align network infrastructure with business goals. Directors of Network Operations also handle vendor relationships and may be involved in disaster recovery planning and implementation.

What is the difference between Director Network Operations vs Network Manager?

AspectDirector Network OperationsNetwork Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire network strategy, large teams, and high-level planningManages daily network operations, troubleshooting, and team supervision
CredentialsTypically requires advanced certifications (e.g., CCNP, CISSP) and extensive experienceOften requires Cisco or CompTIA certifications and relevant experience
Work EnvironmentStrategic, executive-level, cross-departmentalOperational, technical, team-focused
Industry UsageCommon in large enterprises and corporationsFound in organizations of various sizes, more hands-on

The main difference between a Director Network Operations and a Network Manager lies in scope and strategic focus. The Director oversees overall network strategy and large teams, while the Network Manager handles daily operations and technical issues. Both roles require relevant certifications and experience, but the Director's role is more strategic and leadership-oriented.

More about Director Network Operations jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Network Operations jobs? Cities with the most Director Network Operations job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Network Operations jobs? The most popular types of Network Operations jobs are:
What states have the most Director Network Operations jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Network Operations jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Director Network Operations jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Director Network Operations jobs are:
Director Network Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Network Operations job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 60% In-person, 20% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,680 per year, or $51.8 per hour.

Director, Network Operations

AST SpaceMobile

Lanham, MD • On-site

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today's five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.
Position Overview
We are seeking a Director, Network Operations to lead the monitoring, management, and operational performance of a complex communications and network infrastructure environment. This role is responsible for overseeing 24/7 network operations, ensuring service availability, operational excellence, incident response, and continuous improvement across critical network systems.
The Director, Network Operations will provide strategic leadership to a team of network operations engineers and technicians while partnering with cross-functional teams to support operational readiness, infrastructure growth, and technology innovation. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with proven leadership, program management, and operational excellence capabilities in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead and manage Network Operations Center (NOC) teams responsible for 24/7 monitoring, incident response, and service restoration activities.
  • Oversee network operations strategy, implementation, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure high service availability and operational performance.
  • Establish and monitor key operational metrics, service-level agreements (SLAs), and key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Implement and maintain best practices for incident management, problem management, monitoring, escalation management, and operational reporting.
  • Ensure timely identification, escalation, mitigation, and resolution of network outages and service-impacting events.
  • Lead root cause analysis and post-incident review activities to drive operational improvements and prevent recurring issues.
  • Develop and maintain processes, procedures, and operational standards to improve network monitoring and response effectiveness.
  • Manage technical and operational support activities across communications, network, and infrastructure environments.
  • Build, develop, mentor, and lead high-performing onsite and remote operations teams.
  • Provide executive-level communications and status updates regarding network health, operational risks, and major incidents.
  • Coordinate cross-functional efforts with engineering, logistics, procurement, program management, and other stakeholders.
  • Support operational readiness for new technologies, systems, and infrastructure deployments.
  • Utilize operational reporting and analytics to assess network performance, identify trends, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Support budget planning, resource forecasting, and operational cost management activities.
  • Identify opportunities for process optimization, automation, and operational efficiencies.
  • Ensure operational policies, procedures, and documentation remain current and aligned with organizational objectives.

Qualifications
Education
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, information technology, telecommunications, computer science, or a related technical discipline.
  • Relevant industry certifications are a plus (ITIL, PMP, Network Certifications, or equivalent).

Experience
  • A minimum of 8 years of experience in network operations, telecommunications, infrastructure operations, or a related technical field.
  • Minimum of 2 years of people leadership or management experience overseeing technical operations teams.
  • Experience leading teams in a 24/7 operational support environment.
  • Experience managing incident response, service restoration, and operational performance programs.
  • Experience supporting complex communications, networking, telecommunications, or mission-critical infrastructure environments.
  • Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with satellite communications, telecommunications, wireless, cellular, or large-scale network environments.
  • Experience supporting network operations centers (NOC) and service operations organizations.
  • Knowledge of network infrastructure, transport systems, and communications technologies.
  • Experience supporting operational infrastructure in highly available environments.
  • Familiarity with ITIL-based service management processes and operational best practices.
  • Experience implementing operational automation and monitoring solutions.
  • Experience managing geographically dispersed or global technical teams.
  • Experience supporting infrastructure deployment and operational readiness initiatives.
  • Program or project management experience within technical organizations.

Soft Skills
  • Strong leadership and team-development skills with the ability to motivate and mentor technical professionals.
  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level presentations and stakeholder communications.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across technical and non-technical organizations.
  • Meticulous attention to detail to ensure operational accuracy and quality of deliverables.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to issue resolution.
  • Exceptional organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Ability to make sound decisions in high-pressure and time-sensitive situations.
  • Adaptability and flexibility in fast-paced, evolving environments.
  • Strong customer-service mindset with a focus on operational excellence.

Technology Stack
  • Network monitoring and management platforms.
  • Incident management and ticketing systems.
  • Network performance monitoring and reporting tools.
  • Telecommunications and communications infrastructure technologies.
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project).
  • Service management platforms and workflow tools.
  • Network analytics, reporting, and dashboard tools.
  • Process automation and operational support tools.
  • Enterprise collaboration and communication platforms.

Physical Requirements
  • Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods.
  • Ability to review operational reports, technical documentation, network diagrams, and infrastructure data.
  • Ability to participate in meetings, presentations, and operational review sessions.
  • Ability to respond to urgent operational situations and provide leadership during service-impacting events.
  • Ability to travel occasionally as required for business, operational, training, or customer support activities.
  • May occasionally work in operational, laboratory, data center, or infrastructure support environments.
  • Ability to support a 24/7 operational organization, including participation in escalation and on-call activities as needed.

Additional Requirements
  • Active Top Secret/SCI (TS/SCI) security clearance required.
  • US citizenship required due to government contract requirements.

This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.
AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

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