Page Content
Job profiles
Network manager
Hours
37-40 per week
Starting salary
£24,000 + per year
If you are technically-minded, with good IT skills, and you like solving problems, this could be the job for you.
Network managers are responsible for designing, implementing and administering computer network systems within an organisation or between organisations.
In this job you will need to be good at negotiating. You will need to be able to communicate well and give presentations. You will also need to show leadership skills when managing projects and making decisions.
You would usually need relevant experience to get into this type of work, perhaps in jobs such as network engineer, IT support technician or IT manager. You could also do a higher education course first and then try to get taken on as a trainee.
WorkDesc
The work
As a network manager you could manage a company's in-house network support team, or work in IT consultancy, dealing with a number of different clients.
As a network manager, your key responsibilities would be to make sure that the network capacity can meet the client's business needs and that it is secure.
You would work with four main network systems:
- local area networks (LANs) – connecting computers within a limited area like an office or building
- metropolitan area networks (MANs) – joining LANs together across a city
- wide area networks (WANs) – linking systems across national boundaries
- global area networks (GANs) – combining networks over an unlimited geographical area, often using wireless and satellite technology.
Your typical duties might include:
- assessing a client's network requirements
- designing and testing plans to meet those requirements
- making sure network plans are compatible with other computer systems
- supervising technical staff
- implementing network security measures
- planning preventative maintenance schedules
- monitoring and reporting on network performance and usage
- managing network growth and development.
You would work closely with other IT professionals and business managers to make sure systems work efficiently. See the profiles for network engineer and IT project manager for more information about these roles.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may be expected to work overtime on some jobs to minimise disruption to a client's business.
The job is normally office-based and may be at one site, or could involve travel between various sites.
IncomeDesc
Income
- Starting salaries can be between £24,000 and £35,000 a year
- Experienced managers earn between £35,000 and £55,000
- Senior staff with strategic responsibility can earn up to £70,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
You normally need relevant experience to become a network manager, for example working as a network engineer, an IT support technician or an IT manager. See the profiles for network engineer, IT project manager, and computer service and repair technician for more information about these roles.
You may be able to take up a trainee position as a network manager with a company if you have a BTEC HNC/HND, foundation degree or degree. Relevant subjects include:
- computer networks
- networks and communications systems
- computer science
- digital communications and networks.
Employers may also consider you if you are qualified in a subject other than IT, providing you have relevant experience and skills.
You can search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees, HNCs/HNDs and degrees through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.
For more information about IT careers, see the e-skills, British Computer Society and CompTIA websites.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
In a fast-moving field like IT, you would be expected to continue to update your skills throughout your career. You could do this through on-the-job training and work towards qualifications, including:
- City & Guilds Higher Professional Diploma for IT Practitioners (ICT Systems Support) Level 4
- BTEC HNC/HND in Computing (ICT Systems Support)
- NVQs for IT Professionals at levels 3 and 4.
Some of these cover Linux operating systems as well as Windows.
Cisco and Microsoft certification training may also help to develop your career, although it is recommended that you have a level 3 qualification or extensive experience in the IT industry before starting a programme. The main ones for networking include:
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Network Professional (CCNP) and Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
- Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA).
The National Skills Academy for IT
The National Skills Academy for IT has been created by employers to promote excellence in IT learning and development.
Through the Skills Academy, you can:
- get the best access to high quality IT training and resources
- define and access new training to meet emerging needs
- gain professional recognition and accelerate career progression.
The National Skills Academy for IT has over 1,000 online courses, including courses relating to network management.
e-skills Professional Programme
e-skills, higher education institutions and IT employers have developed the professional programme, which can lead to a post graduate certificate, post graduate diploma or Masters qualification. The aim is to provide new graduates with the IT business skills and knowledge necessary to allow them to contribute more fully and quickly to the IT sector (and their employer's business). For more information visit the e-skills Professional Programme web pages for details.
British Computer Society (BCS)
You could take the BCS professional awards to enhance your career prospects. These include a Certificate, Diploma and Professional Graduate Diploma, which are equivalent to the first, second and third year of a university honours degree. You can choose from options including computer networks and network information systems. Contact BCS for further details and entry requirements.
Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA)
The SFIA framework has been developed by e-skills, industry bodies and employers to help you identify your current skills and plan future career development options. See the SFIA website for more details.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be a network manager you should have:
- excellent IT skills and technical knowledge
- strong problem-solving skills
- good negotiating skills
- excellent communication and presentation skills
- the ability to take responsibility and be decisive
- the ability to work within a team
- effective planning and organisational skills
- project management skills
- the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
- a commitment to keep up-to-date with IT trends and developments
- the ability to work within a budget.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
e-skills UK 
1 Castle Lane
London
SW1E 6DR
0207 963 8920
www.e-skills.com
Microsoft UK
www.microsoft.com/uk
Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA)
www.sfia.org.uk
British Computer Society
Block D
North Star House
North Star Avenue
Swindon
Wiltshire SN2 1FA
www.bcs.org.uk
Cisco Systems (UK and Ireland)
www.cisco.com/cisco/web/UK
Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
www.comptia.org
National Skills Academy for IT
www.itskillsacademy.ac.uk
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
Opportunities exist with any organisation that relies on IT systems. The IT and telecommunications industries are moving closer together, so there may be opportunities within that area for networking professionals.
Other employers include companies that manufacture computers and IT equipment, or those that specialise in the supply, installation and servicing of computer networks. It may also be possible to work abroad.
Your promotion options include project and information management and planning, information security, business analysis, systems architecture and freelance consultancy.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in a new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
Telecoms include people working in this industry, as well as people working with specialist telecoms qualifications in other sectors. The IT industry together with Telecoms is represented by e‐skills UK Sector Skills Council. The Telecoms industry is difficult to separate from the IT sector, since many of the new technologies use broadband data networks carrying high volumes of multimedia traffic. Telecoms is defined here as ‘telecoms manufacturing’ and ‘telecoms services’.
The Telecoms sector is one of the fastest changing in the UK as new technologies are being explored and developed. Migration from voice telephony to broadband data networks carry high volumes of multimedia traffic, which means that boundaries between Telecoms and IT are blurring.
Job roles are diverse, ranging from sales and customer‐facing roles to those that are highly technical. Good communication and problem‐solving skills are required as well as specialised knowledge.
Key facts:
- There is a total IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million of which:
- 890,000 people are in IT and Telecoms products and services
- 600,000 IT and Telecoms professionals are working in organisations outside of the IT and Telecoms industries
- There are around 105,000 businesses in the UK offering IT and Telecoms products and services.
- IT‐intensive sectors represent 55% of the UK's total Gross Value Added.
- Less than 1% of those employed in IT and Telecoms occupations are under 18.
- 22% of companies who are trying to recruit IT and Telecoms professionals report difficulties in attracting applicants with the right skills.
- 51% of Telecoms professionals work outside of the industry.
- The Telecoms workforce accounts for 1% of the UK workforce.
- The workforce is predominately male working on a full‐time basis.
- 58% of the IT and Telecoms workforce has a degree or higher education qualification.
- The Telecoms industry is likely to grow at a rate of 0.3% per year, which is lower than the UK average growth rate of 0.5%.
- There are 8,530 telecoms manufacturing and services establishments in the UK employing 301,000 people, including 235,000 who are not Telecoms professionals.
Jobs in the Telecoms industry include: aerial rigging; equipment wirer and assembler; internal network construction; mobile switching engineer; network management; satellite communications; fibre optic installation and configuration; core access network technician; customer support; radio base station engineer; network planning.
National and regional data
Across the UK, there is an estimated IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million who are predominately located in London and the South East. The IT workforce can be classified in Telecoms manufacturing and Telecoms services. The largest number of companies is located in:
- Telecoms manufacturing
- South East
- London
- South West
- East of England
- Telecoms services
- London
- South East
- East of England
- North West
Key regional facts:
- 39% of IT and Telecoms professionals are located in London and the South East
- the East of England has the third highest number of IT and Telecoms employees
- Northern Ireland, Wales and the North East combined comprise just 6% of the IT and Telecoms professionals
- 44% of all types of IT and Telecoms companies are located in London and the South East
- 38% of Telecoms manufacturing takes place in either London or the South East
- the South West and East account for just 11% each of Telecoms manufacturing
- the highest median gross weekly earnings for IT and Telecoms staff are in London, the South East and the East of England, which are all above the UK median
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey (April‐June), 2009.]
Career paths
Further sources
View full Job market information
Other sectors and industries relevant to this job
News
