Senior Telecom Network Operations Manager

Placements24; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Training & professional development

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria is seeking a Senior Telecom Network Operations Manager to oversee critical network infrastructure. The role combines leadership of a skilled team with hands-on management of uptime, security, and performance.

You will drive operational excellence, implement best practices, and maintain high service levels while coordinating with network engineering and vendors in a hybrid work setup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in telecom network operations; 3+ in management.
• Experience with IP networks, BGP/OSPF, switching and firewalls.
• Familiar with SolarWinds, Nagios, Zabbix and ticketing systems.
• ITIL, CCNA or CCNP are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day telecom network operations ensuring high availability.
• Mentor and develop network operations engineers and technicians.
• Develop, implement and enforce operational policies, procedures and standards.
• Oversee monitoring, incident management, change control processes.
• Plan and execute maintenance, upgrades and capacity expansions.
• Manage vendor SLAs and relationships for equipment and services.
• Conduct root cause analysis for outages and implement corrective actions.
• Prepare operational reports and performance metrics for senior management.
• Ensure compliance with security policies and regulatory requirements.
• Foster continuous improvement and operational excellence within the team.

Skills

Leadership

Network operations management

Strategic planning

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelors in Telecommunications Engineering

Tools

SolarWinds

Nagios

Zabbix

Ticketing systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading telecommunications provider, is actively recruiting for a Senior Telecom Network Operations Manager to oversee their critical network infrastructure operations in **Pretoria, Gauteng**. This role is responsible for ensuring the continuous availability, performance, and security of the network. You will lead a team of skilled network engineers and technicians, driving operational excellence and implementing best practices to maintain high service levels. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in network operations management, a deep understanding of telecommunications technologies, and exceptional leadership qualities. This hybrid position requires regular presence in our **Pretoria** office for strategic planning and team collaboration, complemented by remote work flexibility. Join a company committed to innovation and customer satisfaction in the dynamic South African telecom market.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and lead the day-to-day operations of the telecommunications network, ensuring high availability and performance.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of network operations engineers and technicians.
• Develop, implement, and enforce operational policies, procedures, and standards.
• Oversee network monitoring, incident management, problem resolution, and change control processes.
• Plan and execute network maintenance, upgrades, and capacity expansions in collaboration with network engineering teams.
• Manage vendor relationships and service level agreements (SLAs) for network equipment and services.
• Conduct root cause analysis for network outages and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Prepare regular operational reports and performance metrics for senior management.
• Ensure compliance with security policies and industry regulations.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence within the network operations team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in telecommunications network operations, with at least 3 years in a management or supervisory role.
• Proven experience managing complex IP networks, including routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), switching, and firewalls.
• Solid understanding of mobile (2G/3G/4G/5G) and fixed-line network technologies.
• Experience with network monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Nagios, Zabbix) and ticketing systems.
• Strong leadership, team management, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision‑making abilities.
• Proficiency in developing and implementing operational procedures and SLAs.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Relevant certifications such as ITIL, CCNA, CCNP are advantageous.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, performance incentives, comprehensive medical aid, and retirement fund contributions.
• This hybrid role provides the benefit of flexible working arrangements in **Pretoria**.
• Employees have access to ongoing training, professional development programs, and career advancement opportunities within a leading telecommunications company.
• Enjoy a collaborative work environment focused on innovation and operational excellence.