Lead Telecom Network Operations Manager

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Company-provided mobile and laptop

Leadership role in telecom operations

Employee wellness programs

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban is seeking an experienced Lead Telecom Network Operations Manager to oversee the network operations center, ensuring uptime, performance and security across our extensive telecom infrastructure. You will lead a team of engineers and technicians and drive operational excellence in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of BGP/OSPF, monitoring tools, ITIL practices, and strong leadership to coordinate incidents, maintenance and upgrades for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, electrical engineering or related field.
• At least 8 years in telecom network operations with 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of network protocols (BGP, OSPF), switching, firewalls and transmission systems.
• Experience with network monitoring tools, NMS and OSS systems.
• Familiarity with ITIL-based incident, problem and change management.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day telecom network operations to maximize uptime and service quality.
• Lead and develop the network operations team, including scheduling and performance reviews.
• Oversee incident management, rapid diagnosis, resolution and root-cause analysis.
• Implement proactive maintenance plans, monitoring strategies and capacity management.
• Ensure network security policies; conduct audits and vulnerability assessments.
• Manage vendor relationships for network support and maintenance.
• Maintain operational documentation, procedures, and knowledge base articles.

Skills

Network operations

Leadership & mentoring

Incident management

Communication & stakeholder management

Disaster recovery planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT/Electrical Eng or related

Tools

NMS

OSS systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major telecommunications infrastructure provider, is looking for an experienced and motivated Lead Telecom Network Operations Manager to oversee their critical network operations center in Durban . This leadership role is responsible for ensuring the continuous availability, performance, and security of the company's extensive network infrastructure. You will lead a team of skilled network engineers and technicians, manage incident response, implement proactive maintenance strategies, and drive operational excellence. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in network operations, excellent leadership capabilities, and a deep understanding of telecommunications technologies. This is a fantastic opportunity to manage and optimize network operations for a key player in the South African telecom landscape, ensuring seamless service delivery to a vast customer base.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the telecom network, ensuring maximum uptime and service quality.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing network operations team, including scheduling and performance management.
• Oversee incident management processes, including rapid diagnosis, resolution, and root cause analysis for network outages.
• Develop and implement proactive maintenance plans, performance monitoring strategies, and capacity management initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to network security policies and procedures, including regular audits and vulnerability assessments.
• Manage relationships with third-party vendors and service providers for network support and maintenance.
• Develop and maintain operational documentation, procedures, and knowledge base articles.
• Identify areas for operational improvement and implement efficiency-enhancing solutions.
• Participate in the planning and deployment of new network services and upgrades.
• Manage operational budgets and resource allocation effectively.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in telecommunications network operations, with at least 3 years in a management or team lead role.
• In-depth knowledge of network protocols, routing (BGP, OSPF), switching, firewalls, and telecommunications transmission systems.
• Proven experience with network monitoring tools, NMS, and OSS systems.
• Strong understanding of incident management, problem management, and change management frameworks (ITIL preferred).
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide technical staff.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in disaster recovery and business continuity planning for network infrastructure.
• Familiarity with the South African telecommunications regulatory environment is an advantage.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Leadership opportunity within a major telecommunications company.
• Continuous learning and professional development opportunities.
• Exposure to diverse and advanced network technologies.
• Relocation assistance for qualified candidates.
• Company-provided mobile and laptop.
• A dynamic and supportive team environment.
• Access to employee wellness programs.