Network Operations Manager - Fed Gov

Optus Enterprise; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Optus is seeking a Manager Network Operations, Federal Government, a senior leader responsible for delivery, performance, and continuous improvement of Managed Network Services for government customers. You will lead Tier 2/3 engineers and drive proactive, automation-first operations with strong governance and customer outcomes.

The role requires NV1 security clearance eligibility, 12+ years in large-scale managed services, and a track record of transformation through automation and

Qualifications

• Senior leadership of Tier 2/3 network engineers to deliver operation excellence.
• Proven track record in large-scale managed services and ITIL-aligned environments.
• Demonstrated ability to drive automation-led improvements and observability initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing team of Tier 2/3 Network Engineers for Federal Government networks.
• Own delivery, service assurance, and adherence to SLAs across Managed Network Services.
• Drive automation-led operations, AI-enabled monitoring, and rapid incident resolution.
• Act as senior escalation authority for major incidents and critical events.
• Build compliant, scalable Federal Government operations with strong security and governance.
• Collaborate with Product, Network, Security, Client Delivery, and vendors to improve outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Network engineering

Automation & AI

Observability

Stakeholder management

Security clearance NV1

Tools

ITIL processes

Job description

Optus is an Australian telecommunications company, delivering more than 11 million services to our customers every day across mobile, broadband and digital solutions.

The Manager Network Operations, Federal Government is a senior leadership role responsible for the delivery, performance, and continuous improvement of Managed Network Services for Federal Government customers. Leading a team of Tier 2 and Tier 3 Network Engineers, the role drives the transition to proactive, intelligence-led, and automation-first operations, ensuring high levels of service reliability, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction.

As the senior technical and operational escalation point, the role works closely with customers, internal stakeholders, and technology partners to improve service performance, accelerate issue resolution, and strengthen customer experience. The position is accountable for building operational capability across network engineering, service management, security, and automation while delivering measurable business and customer outcomes.

This role requires you to be an Australian citizen and hold, or be eligible to obtain and maintain, an NV1 security clearance.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of Tier 2 and Tier 3 Network Engineers, driving technical excellence, capability uplift, and a culture of accountability across Federal Government network operations.
• Own the delivery and service assurance of Managed Network Services, ensuring proactive monitoring, rapid incident resolution, strong operational governance, and achievement of customer SLAs and performance targets.
• Drive the transformation to intelligence-led, automation-first operations, leveraging automation, AI, and observability capabilities to improve service reliability, reduce manual effort, and accelerate resolution times.
• Act as the senior technical escalation authority for critical customer incidents, complex network issues, and major service events, providing leadership and clear communication to customers and stakeholders.
• Build and maintain a secure, compliant, and scalable Federal Government operations capability, ensuring engineering standards, security obligations, and service requirements are consistently met.
• Influence strategic roadmaps and stakeholder outcomes by partnering with Product, Network, Security, Client Delivery, and vendor teams to enhance service performance, improve customer experience, and drive continuous innovation.

What You Bring

• NV1/NV2 Federal Government security clearance, or eligibility to obtain and maintain the required security clearance, combined with strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to build high-performing teams, drive capability uplift, and deliver strategic outcomes.
• Minimum 12 years’ technical specialist or engineering experience within large-scale, ITIL aligned managed services or network operations environments, with a strong track record of delivering operational excellence and service outcomes.
• Extensive leadership experience leading large, multi-disciplinary technical teams, including senior engineers and team leaders, within complex enterprise environments.
• Deep technical expertise across network engineering, service assurance, incident management, observability, and operational service delivery.
• Demonstrated success driving operational transformation through automation, AI-led operations, proactive monitoring, and intelligent event management to improve service performance and customer outcomes.
• Experience working within Federal Government or highly regulated environments, with a strong understanding of security, compliance, and governance requirements.

The good stuff….

• Competitive remuneration and employee discounts. Make life easier (and more affordable) with $80 monthly credit and 25% off Optus products and unique shopping discounts with our retail partners.
• Flexible working arrangements with opportunities to work three days in the office, two days remote or home.
• Vibrant and collaborative office campus that includes cafes, convenience store, chill out zones, GP, post office, gym and on-site childcare centre.
• Competitive leave policies, including additional 'Connected’ days to focus on culture, family, health, community, or whatever’s important to you.
• We support growing families with inclusive, carer-neutral paid Parental Leave of up to 16 weeks.
• Direct your own development and build future-ready skills with Optus U’s industry-focused micro-credentials, developed with La Trobe and Macquarie Universities.
• Build meaningful connections through employee-led networks and diversity initiatives including Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network and Express Yourself (LGBTQIA+).
• Put your wellbeing first with free access to counselling and support services, 24/7 — in-person, by phone, SMS, or video.

At Optus, we are strengthened by others and that means valuing diversity and saying ‘yes’ to embracing individual differences. We are committed to ensuring that our application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals from diverse gender, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, individuals with a disability, individuals identifying as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals who may have served in the armed forces or who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also want to do our best to make our recruitment process inclusive. If you require any adjustments or accessibility support to participate fairly and equitably in the recruitment process, please email [e-mail] or call 1800 309 170.

For more information on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Optus, please visit https://www.optus.com.au/about/inclusion-diversity