Head of Network Operations (Telecom)

Confidential; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading telecom organization in Saudi Arabia is seeking a Head of Network Operations to manage end-to-end telecom network operations. The ideal candidate will ensure high availability and performance across all network domains, including mobile and fixed services. Responsibilities include overseeing the Network Operations Center, incident management, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Candidates should have 1215+ years in telecom operations and strong leadership experience in managing large-scale networks.

Qualifications

• 1215+ years of experience in telecom network operations.
• 5+ years in a senior leadership role (Head / Director / Senior Manager).
• Strong experience in mobile and/or fixed telecom operators.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily network operations for Mobile, Fixed, FTTH, Fiber, IP networks.
• Own network KPIs including availability, latency, packet loss, MTTR.
• Develop and execute network operations strategies and policies.

Skills

Network operations management

Incident management

Performance monitoring

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering or related field

Master's degree or MBA

Job description

Job Summary:

The Head of Network Operations is responsible for leading, managing, and optimizing end-to-end telecom network operations to ensure high availability, performance, reliability, and service quality across all network domains. This role oversees NOC, field operations, incident management, maintenance, and continuous improvement of mobile and fixed networks in alignment with business and regulatory requirements.

About us:

We are a publicly listed organization operating within the between the Telecom & IT sector. Our portfolio includes innovative technology solutions and software platforms designed to serve both Government and Enterprise clients.

Key Responsibilities

Network Operations Management

• Lead and manage daily network operations for Mobile (2G/3G/4G/5G), Fixed, FTTH, Fiber, IP, Core, and Transmission networks.
• Ensure 24/7 network availability, stability, and performance in line with SLAs and KPIs.
• Oversee Network Operations Center (NOC), fault management, performance monitoring, and escalation processes.
• Drive proactive monitoring, preventive maintenance, and rapid incident resolution.

Service Assurance & Performance

• Own network KPIs including availability, latency, packet loss, MTTR, MTBF, and customer impact.
• Lead major incident management (P1/P2), root cause analysis (RCA), and post-incident reviews.
• Implement continuous service improvement initiatives to enhance network quality and customer experience.

Operations Strategy & Governance

• Develop and execute network operations strategies, policies, procedures, and standards.
• Align network operations with business growth, new services, and technology evolution.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and security standards.

Vendor & Partner Management

• Manage relationships with network vendors, managed service providers, and contractors.
• Negotiate SLAs, monitor vendor performance, and ensure contractual compliance.
• Coordinate with OEMs for escalations, upgrades, and critical network issues.

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, coach, and develop a multi-disciplinary operations team (NOC, field ops, support).
• Build succession plans and ensure availability of critical skills.
• Foster a performance-driven, accountable, and safety-focused culture.

Budget & Cost Control

• Manage the network operations budget, OPEX optimization, and cost control initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for automation, efficiency, and operational excellence.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with Planning, Engineering, IT, Cybersecurity, B2B/B2C teams, and Customer Care.
• Provide executive-level reports, dashboards, and insights to senior management.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• Master's degree or MBA is an advantage.

Experience

• 1215+ years of experience in telecom network operations.
• 5+ years in a senior leadership role (Head / Director / Senior Manager).
• Strong experience in mobile and/or fixed telecom operators.
• Proven track record managing large-scale, mission-critical networks.