Job Description

Network Operations Center (NOC) Manager Position Overview: We are seeking an experienced Network Operations Center (NOC) Manager to oversee and ensure the seamless operation of our large-scale IT infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have at least 12 years of experience managing IT NOCs that encompass multi-vendor network devices at various levels, possess a CCNP/CCIE certification, and demonstrate strong expertise in branch network operations management. This role is critical to maintaining network reliability, efficiency, and security, while also driving operational excellence across branches operating on SD-WAN technology. Key Responsibilities:1. Leadership and Team Management: Lead, mentor, and manage a team of NOC engineers, analysts, and support staff. Establish performance metrics, conduct evaluations, and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Manage a large-scale Managed Services contract and ensure proper SLA & KPI achievement and calculations. 2. Operations Management: Oversee the 24/7 operations of the NOC to ensure maximum uptime, performance, and efficiency of IT systems and networks. Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs), escalation workflows, and incident management protocols. Monitor and optimize network performance using advanced monitoring tools and analytics. Manage Quality of Service (QoS) at the NOC, ensuring industry best practices for NOC operations. Manage audits for network functions. Experience with Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), SASE, and network segmentation. 3. Network Infrastructure Management: Design, deploy, and manage large-scale enterprise and data center networks to ensure optimal performance and reliability. Oversee and enhance end-to-end network services for large-scale managed environments, ensuring SLAs and KPIs are met. Implement and maintain network security policies, firewalls, VPNs, and IDS/IPS solutions to safeguard against threats and vulnerabilities. Utilize advanced monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Wireshark) to proactively identify and resolve network issues. Collaborate with ISPs, OEMs, and third-party vendors to ensure seamless service delivery. Lead and mentor a team of network engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning. Maintain redundancy and failover strategies to minimize downtime in critical business operations. Maintain comprehensive network documentation, reports, and incident logs to support IT governance and compliance. 4. Technical Oversight: Provide hands-on expertise in diagnosing and resolving complex network issues, specifically on Cisco products like ACI and Spine and Leaf architecture. Ensure the integration and smooth operation of multi-vendor networking environments. Utilize CCNP/CCIE-level skills to guide troubleshooting and recommend architecture improvements. 5. Branch Operations Management: Collaborate with branch leadership to align IT strategies with operational goals. Standardize IT processes across branches and ensure compliance with organizational policies. 6. Vendor and Stakeholder Management: Coordinate with third-party vendors, service providers, and internal stakeholders to maintain SLAs and ensure timely issue resolution. Evaluate and recommend tools, technologies, and services to enhance operational capabilities. 7. Strategic Planning: Develop and execute NOC strategies to support the organization's growth and scalability. Proactively identify opportunities to improve system reliability, reduce downtime, and streamline processes. Prepare detailed reports and analytics for senior management to provide insights into NOC performance. 8. Oversee NOC Operations: Lead and manage a team of network engineers, technicians, and analysts. Monitor and maintain network performance, including bandwidth utilization, latency, and packet loss. Proactively identify and resolve network issues before they impact business operations. Implement and maintain network monitoring and alerting systems. Develop and implement network troubleshooting procedures and escalation paths. Ensure the availability and performance of critical network services. 9. Network Infrastructure Management: Design, implement, and maintain network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers. Plan and execute network upgrades and expansions. Ensure network security and compliance with industry best practices and regulatory requirements. Qualifications and Skills: 1. Education and Certification: Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. CCNP/CCIE certification is mandatory. Additional certifications (e.g., ITIL, PMP) are a plus. 2. Experience: Minimum 14 years of experience in managing large-scale IT NOCs with a focus on complex, multi-location environments. Proven track record in managing branch operations and ensuring IT alignment with business objectives. 3. Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of Cisco products like ACI along with networking protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF, MPLS, VLAN, VPN). Proficiency in using NOC tools such as SolarWinds, Splunk, or similar. Strong understanding of network security, firewalls, IPS, and disaster recovery practices. 4. Leadership and Communication: Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment. Mandatory Certifications and Expertise: CCNP / CCIE (Active) Expertise in: Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, Fortinet, and other leading network vendors. Strong knowledge of: Routing (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP), Switching (VLANs, STP, EtherChannel), SD-WAN, MPLS, and cloud networking (AWS/Azure/GCP). Experience in: Managing large-scale managed services with 24x7 NOC/SOC operations. Proficiency in automation: Scripting, network orchestration, and monitoring tools.