Director of Network Operations

Dakota Central; Carrington (ND); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Dakota Central seeks a Network Operations Director to lead network infrastructure and operations across voice, video, broadband, transport, and data services. You will ensure today’s reliability while forecasting future capabilities and investments.

You will mentor and train the operations team, build cross-department collaboration, and develop documentation to strengthen the organization. This role is based in the Jamestown/Carrington area of North Dakota.

Qualifications

• Experience in telecommunications and networking leadership.
• Proven ability to mentor, train, and build high-performing teams.
• Strong strategic thinking with focus on reliability and future readiness.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, operation, maintenance, security, and evolution of the network.
• Drive design, deployment, automation, processes, and service improvements.
• Guide future investments and evaluate emerging technologies.

Skills

Leadership

Networking expertise

Mentoring/Training

Collaboration across departments

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree welcomed

Technical training/certifications

Tools

Fiber/FTTP

Carrier-grade IP networking

Routing and Switching

Ethernet and Transport

Network Security

Job description

Dakota Central | Jamestown & Carrington, North Dakota

Lead the Network. Develop the Team. Help Build What’s Next.

Dakota Central is looking for an innovative, creative, collaborative leader who understands modern broadband networks and is excited to shape what comes next.

As Network Operations Director, you’ll lead network infrastructure and operations across voice, video, broadband, transport, and data services. You’ll help ensure reliability today while identifying technologies, processes, and opportunities that prepare Dakota Central for the future.

You’ll also develop people through mentoring, hands-on technical training, cross-training, and knowledge sharing—building a team where expertise is shared and employees grow.

What You’ll Do

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Lead the planning, operation, maintenance, security, and evolution of Dakota Central’s network.
• Bring new ideas and creative thinking to network design, technology deployment, automation, processes, and service improvement.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and guide future investments.
• Lead network projects, upgrades, migrations, installations, and cutovers from planning through completion.
• Strengthen reliability, cybersecurity, resiliency, disaster recovery, and capacity planning.
• Partner with the CEO/General Manager and leadership team on technology strategy and long-term investment.
• Develop the operations team through hands-on training, mentoring, cross-training, and knowledge sharing.
• Build documentation and processes that strengthen the organization.
• Collaborate across departments to support excellent customer experiences.

Who We’re Looking For

The right candidate will bring strong telecommunications and networking expertise along with the ability to lead, teach, and collaborate.

You may be a great fit if you are:

Innovative and creative. You look for better ways to design networks, solve problems, improve processes, and use technology.

Collaborative. You work effectively across departments and value ideas from every level of the organization.

A teacher and leader. You develop people, establish clear expectations, communicate openly, create accountability, and build trust.

Technically credible. You understand modern carrier-grade networks and are willing to roll up your sleeves when needed.

Forward-looking. You can maintain today’s network while planning for future capacity, security, technology, customer needs, and investment.

Experience We Value

We’re interested in candidates with significant experience in telecommunications, broadband, IP networking, network operations, engineering, or related fields.

Valuable experience includes fiber/FTTP, carrier-grade IP networking, routing and switching, Ethernet and transport, voice, network security, cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and network modernization.

Prior leadership, supervisory, project management, or team-development experience is important. A bachelor’s or associate degree is welcomed, but relevant technical training, certifications, and substantial industry experience will also be considered.

Build Your Career-and Your Life in North Dakota

This opportunity is based in the Jamestown/Carrington area of North Dakota, offering meaningful career opportunities alongside a high quality of life.

Jamestown provides regional amenities with the accessibility and connection of a smaller city. Carrington offers a close-knit community surrounded by North Dakota’s open spaces and outdoor lifestyle.

For those who value community, shorter commutes, room to breathe, outdoor recreation, and visible impact, this is a place where both a career and a life can grow.

Why Dakota Central?

This isn’t a position where you’ll simply maintain someone else’s network plan. You’ll have the opportunity to help create what’s next.

You’ll serve communities where connectivity truly matters, contribute to technology and investment decisions, develop the next generation of technical talent, and help deliver the reliable, innovative communications services customers depend on.