UK

United Kingdom · Technology and data · Director/VP (16-20 years)

Director of Network Operations

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

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  • Experience bandDirector/VP (16-20 years)
  • Direct reports25-100+ reports
  • Reports toVP of Infrastructure
  • UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as VP, Network Services · Head of Network Infrastructure · Network Operations Director

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in qualifications employers recognise

Two short quizzes about you

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

ATHE Level 7 Extended Diploma in Computing Technologies (Networking) ATHE Ltd · Level 7 · covers 1 of 10 standards
ATHE Level 7 Extended Diploma in Computing ATHE Ltd · Level 7 · covers 1 of 10 standards
ATHE Level 7 Extended Diploma in Computing Technologies (General Route) ATHE Ltd · Level 7 · covers 1 of 10 standards
Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in IT-Networking Qualifi Ltd · Level 5 · covers 3 of 10 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Networking and Infrastructure Development ATHE Level 7 Extended Diploma in Computing Technologies (Networking)
Managing and Improving Operations NOCN Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Leadership of Performance and Productivity
Network Design and Administration Qualifi Level 5 Extended Diploma in IT-Networking

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner
Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
Automation Fluency building AI into how work runs
Systems Fluency seeing the whole picture
Trust Fluency keeping the digital world safe
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Your Plan Illustration

Built for Director of Network Operations

3 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Networking and Infrastructure Development ATHE Ltd · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 7
  2. Managing and Improving Operations NOCN · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 7
  3. Network Design and Administration Qualifi Ltd · covers 3 of 10 standards Level 5
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a Director of Network Operations?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

  • AI/ML for Network Operations (AIOps)
  • Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) & Zero Trust Architecture
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your Director of Network Operations plan as you set up, starting with a Future Fluency module on using AI in your job. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

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3What this role really is

A Director of Network Operations is accountable for keeping an organisation's entire network running, from customer-facing applications to internal systems.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

SolarWinds NPM / Nagios / Zabbix (Strategic Evaluation & Integration) Strategic/Architect

Evaluating and selecting enterprise-grade network monitoring platforms, designing the overall monitoring strategy, ensuring integration with ITSM and AIOps platforms, and reviewing high-level performance dashboards for strategic insights.

ServiceNow / Jira Service Management (ITSM Platform Ownership) Strategic/Architect

Owning the overall ITSM strategy for Network Operations, designing workflows for Incident, Problem, and Change Management, managing service level agreements (SLAs) with business units, and driving continuous improvement of service delivery processes.

PuTTY / SecureCRT / Windows Terminal (Automation Policy & Governance) Strategic/Architect

Defining policies for secure remote access, architecting CLI automation strategies for network provisioning and configuration management, and ensuring compliance with security best practices for all access methods.

Confluence / NetBox (Documentation & IPAM Governance) Strategic/Architect

Establishing enterprise-wide documentation standards and policies, selecting and implementing documentation/IPAM platforms, and ensuring that all network documentation supports compliance audits and operational efficiency.

Splunk / Graylog (Log Management Architecture & Forensics) Strategic/Architect

Designing the overall log collection and analysis architecture for the network, setting log retention policies, and directing the use of log data for security forensics, capacity planning, and proactive anomaly detection.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Network Architecture & Strategy Escalate to Senior Network Support Analyst Propose solutions to Lead Network Engineer Designs and recommends solutions to Director
Budget Allocation & Vendor Contracts No authority, inform supervisor Suggest tools/vendors, no spend authority Recommend vendors for specific projects (up to £5K)
Team Hiring & Organisational Structure No involvement beyond interviews Provides feedback on candidates Interviews junior candidates, provides hiring recommendations
Major Incident Management & Communication Follows runbook, updates ticket Leads troubleshooting, drafts internal updates Leads incident bridge, coordinates technical teams, drafts initial executive comms

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Network Availability (Uptime)
Ensuring our core network services are accessible and operational.
Target · 99.999% for critical services, 99.99% for non-critical.

Achieving 5 nines (99.999%) uptime for our customer-facing applications means less than 5 minutes of downtime per year. We'll track this against our SLAs with business units.

Operational & Capital Expenditure (Opex/Capex) Adherence
Managing the network budget effectively, staying within allocated spend for both running costs and new investments.
Target · Within ±5% of the approved annual budget.

If the annual network budget is £5M, you'll need to keep actual spend between £4.75M and £5.25M. This includes vendor contracts, hardware, and team costs.

Mean Time To Recovery (MTTR) for P1/P2 Incidents
Reducing the average time it takes to restore service after a major incident.
Target · Reduce MTTR for P1/P2 incidents by 20% year-on-year.

If our average P1 incident took 60 minutes to resolve last year, you'll aim to get that down to 48 minutes this year by improving processes, automation, and team readiness.

Strategic Project Delivery Rate
Successfully delivering key network transformation projects (e.g., cloud migration, SASE implementation) on time and within budget.
Target · 90% of strategic network projects delivered on time and within budget.

Completing 9 out of 10 planned network infrastructure upgrades or new office network build-outs within the agreed timelines and cost parameters for the year.

Network Strategy Alignment with Business Goals
How well the network strategy supports and enables the company's broader business objectives.
  • Network strategy document is formally reviewed and approved by the C-Suite. Your team's projects are clearly linked to company OKRs. Business unit leaders proactively consult you on new initiatives, seeing the network as a partner, not just a cost centre.
Vendor Relationship Management
Building and maintaining strong, mutually beneficial relationships with key network vendors and service providers.
  • You'll have regular, proactive meetings with key vendor account managers and executives. We'll see evidence of favourable contract terms, early access to new technologies, and quick resolution of vendor-related issues. They should see us as a valued partner, not just another customer.
Team Leadership and Development
Fostering a high-performing, engaged, and continuously developing Network Operations team.
  • High employee retention rates within your department (above 85%). Clear career progression paths for your team members. Regular, constructive feedback and development plans in place. Your managers feel supported and empowered to lead their own teams effectively. We'll see a healthy pipeline of internal talent ready for promotion.
Risk Management & Security Posture
Proactively identifying and mitigating network-related risks, ensuring a strong security posture.
  • Minimal critical security vulnerabilities identified in network audits. A clear, documented network risk register that's regularly reviewed. Zero major network-related security incidents. Proactive implementation of security best practices, like Zero Trust principles, across the network.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Building and Owning a Critical Service

You'll feel a deep sense of responsibility and pride in knowing that the network you oversee is the backbone of the entire company. The daily challenge of keeping it running and evolving will be a constant source of engagement.

Seeing a new global office come online, knowing your team designed and deployed its network infrastructure, and watching people connect and work seamlessly.

Leading and Developing High-Performing Teams

You'll get a real kick out of mentoring your managers, empowering your engineers, and seeing individuals grow into future leaders. Building a strong, cohesive team that delivers exceptional results will be a core satisfaction.

One of your managers gets promoted to Director in another department, and you know you played a key role in their development.

Strategic Impact and Business Transformation

You're driven by the opportunity to shape the company's future by providing a network that enables new products, markets, and operational efficiencies. Your decisions will have a direct, visible impact on the business's trajectory.

Successfully implementing a new SD-WAN solution that reduces operational costs by 15% and improves application performance for remote users, directly contributing to the company's hybrid work strategy.

What frustrates people
  • Constant pressure to do 'more with less' without sufficient budget or headcount.
  • Dealing with other departments who don't follow change management processes, leading to unexpected outages.
  • The perception that the network is always the problem, even when it's clearly an application issue.
  • The sheer volume of administrative tasks, reporting, and meetings that take away from strategic thinking time.
  • Recruiting and retaining top network talent in a competitive market.
What this role does not give you
  • Daily hands-on configuration of network devices (you'll be directing, not doing).
  • A quiet, predictable work environment with minimal interruptions.
  • The ability to make unilateral technical decisions without broader business alignment.
  • A role where you can avoid budget discussions or vendor negotiations.

8Who you work with

This role directly impacts business continuity, operational efficiency, and our ability to innovate. A well-run network means our applications are fast, our data is secure, and our global teams can collaborate seamlessly. Get it wrong, and you're looking at significant financial losses, reputational damage, and a complete halt to business operations. You're essentially the guardian of the company's digital arteries.

Inside the business
  • C-Suite (CEO, CFO, CTO)
  • VP of Infrastructure and other Technology Directors (e.g., Security, Applications, Cloud)
  • Head of Finance (for budgeting and cost control)
  • Legal and Compliance Teams
  • Business Unit Leaders (Sales, Product, Operations)
Outside the business
  • Major Network Hardware and Software Vendors (Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, etc.)
  • Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Telecommunication Carriers
  • Cloud Providers (AWS, Azure, GCP) networking teams
  • Industry Regulators and Auditors
  • Managed Service Providers (MSPs) for specific network functions

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • Extensive experience (10+ years) in a senior network engineering or architecture role, with a proven track record of designing and implementing complex network solutions.
  • Demonstrable experience leading and managing large technical teams (15+ people), including managers, with a focus on talent development and performance.
  • Significant experience managing multi-million-pound budgets, including CapEx and OpEx planning, forecasting, and cost optimisation.
  • Proven ability to define and execute a strategic technology roadmap, translating business requirements into technical solutions.
  • Strong executive presence and communication skills, with experience presenting to C-level executives and external stakeholders.
  • Deep understanding of modern networking technologies, including cloud networking, SDN, SASE, and network automation principles.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Network as Code & Automation Orchestration

Manual network configuration is slow, error-prone, and doesn't scale. Network as Code (NaC) and automation are critical for agility, consistency, and reducing operational costs. You'll need to lead the cultural and technical shift towards a fully automated network.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for Network · CI/CD Pipelines for Network Changes · Orchestration Platforms · Network Observability

  • Next 3 months: Champion the adoption of Network as Code principles within your teams, allocating dedicated time for training and tool adoption.
  • Next 6 months: Identify key areas for automation (e.g., VLAN provisioning, firewall rule changes) and initiate pilot projects.
  • Next 9 months: Establish a 'Network Automation Centre of Excellence' within your department to drive best practices and knowledge sharing.
  • Next 12 months: Oversee the integration of network automation into broader IT CI/CD pipelines, demonstrating tangible efficiency gains.

Quick win: Start by automating simple, repetitive tasks like collecting device configurations or generating compliance reports using Python scripts. This builds momentum and demonstrates value.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Regularly attending industry conferences (e.g., Cisco Live, Juniper NXTWORK, Gartner IT Symposium) to stay abreast of emerging technologies and trends.
  • Participating in executive leadership development programmes, focusing on strategic thinking, financial management, and organisational change.
  • Engaging with industry peer groups and forums to share best practices and benchmark our network operations against leading companies.
  • Mentoring junior talent within the organisation and actively contributing to knowledge sharing initiatives.
  • Pursuing further education, such as an MBA, to enhance business acumen and strategic leadership capabilities.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

AI/ML for Network Operations (AIOps)

AIOps isn't just a buzzword; it's becoming essential for managing the complexity and scale of modern networks. Manual monitoring and troubleshooting simply won't cut it anymore. Competitors are already using it to predict outages and automate responses, giving them a significant advantage in uptime and operational cost.

  • Predictive Analytics
  • Anomaly Detection
  • Root Cause Analysis Automation
  • Intent-Based Networking (IBN)

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) & Zero Trust Architecture

The traditional network perimeter is gone. With remote work, cloud applications, and mobile devices, we need a fundamentally different approach to network security. SASE and Zero Trust are the future, consolidating security and networking functions into a cloud-native model. If we don't adopt this, we'll be left with a fragmented, insecure, and inefficient network.

  • Identity-Centric Security
  • Cloud-Native Security Services
  • Micro-segmentation
  • Context-Aware Access

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Enterprise Network Architecture & Design
  • Network Security Strategy & Implementation
  • Cloud Networking & Hybrid Architectures
  • Vendor Management & Contract Negotiation

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    Lead Network Engineer / Staff Network Engineer (L4)

    5-8 years

    Skills to master

    • Deep technical expertise in multiple network domains, ability to lead complex projects, informal mentorship of junior engineers, strong problem-solving for novel issues.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully led multiple large-scale network projects from design to implementation.
    • Recognised as a technical authority and go-to person for complex network challenges.
    • Demonstrated ability to influence technical direction and mentor less experienced team members.
  2. 2

    Network Engineering Manager (L5)

    3-5 years

    Skills to master

    • People management, team leadership, budget management for a specific team, vendor relationship management, project portfolio oversight, strategic planning for a team's domain.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Proven ability to manage and develop a team of 5-10 network engineers.
    • Successfully managed a significant operational budget and delivered projects on time and within scope.
    • Demonstrated strong communication and conflict resolution skills within a team context.
  3. 3

    Principal Network Architect (L5)

    3-5 years

    Skills to master

    • Enterprise-level network architecture design, technology evaluation and selection, strategic technical roadmapping, cross-functional technical leadership, deep expertise in emerging network technologies.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Designed and implemented major architectural components of an enterprise network.
    • Recognised as an industry expert in specific network domains (e.g., cloud networking, security).
    • Ability to influence technical strategy at a departmental or organisational level without direct reports.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This role can lead to positions such as Chief Technology Officer or Chief Information Officer, or a seat on a board as a non-executive director.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how Director of Network Operations is actually changing.

Where it leads

Roles this leads to

The record names a next step, but the catalogue has no page for it yet:

  • VP of Infrastructure / Chief Network Officer (L7)

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Networking and Infrastructure Development, worked against Director of Network Operations.

Networking and Infrastructure Development Level 7

Applied to your work in Director of Network Operations

This unit aims to provide learners with an understanding of different network infrastructures and the importance of network security. Learners will describe the characteristics and applications of wireless networks, and explain how to support and maintain a network infrastructure, including troubleshooting.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

Start my Director of Network Operations plan, free
See Your Progress Grow Illustration
Director of Network Operations
  • Enterprise Network Architecture & Design
  • Network Security Strategy & Implementation
  • Cloud Networking & Hybrid Architectures
  • Vendor Management & Contract Negotiation
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

Director of Network Operations is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. VP of Infrastructure / Chief Network Officer (L7)

    3-5 years

    1 Level

    • Data Centre Strategy (beyond network).
    • Cloud Strategy (overall enterprise cloud adoption).
    • Cyber Security Strategy (broader than just network security).
    • Vendor Management across all infrastructure domains.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

As a Director of Network Operations, your time is precious. It's about strategic vision, leadership, and high-level problem-solving, not sifting through endless reports or drafting repetitive communications. This is where AI comes in – not to replace your critical judgment, but to amplify your impact by automating the mundane and accelerating insights.

Imagine having a co-pilot that helps you cut through the noise, allowing you to focus on the big decisions that truly move the needle for our network. Our AI Productivity Hub is designed to do just that, giving you the tools to transform how you lead and strategise.

Strategic AIOps Implementation

Direct the implementation of advanced AIOps platforms to proactively detect and predict network anomalies across the entire enterprise. Instead of reactive firefighting, you'll be setting up systems that anticipate issues, reducing P1 incidents and improving overall network stability. This means less time in crisis mode and more time on strategic growth.

Automated Performance & Budget Reporting

Use AI-powered tools to automatically generate comprehensive network performance dashboards and budget adherence reports. Feed in data from monitoring systems, financial tools, and project trackers, and let AI summarise key trends, highlight variances, and even draft initial executive summaries. This frees you from tedious data aggregation, giving you more time for analysis and strategic decision-making.

Executive Communication & Policy Drafting

Leverage AI to draft initial versions of complex documents like network policy updates, strategic proposals, or post-incident executive summaries. Provide key facts and an outline, and the AI can generate a structured, professional draft, allowing you to focus on refining the message and ensuring strategic alignment. It's like having a dedicated comms assistant.

Vendor & Technology Scouting

Employ AI research tools to quickly analyse market trends, evaluate new network technologies (e.g., SASE, 5G private networks), and compare vendor offerings based on specific criteria. This helps you make more informed strategic investment decisions faster, ensuring our network remains cutting-edge and cost-effective without spending weeks on manual research.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a Director of Network Operations?

Common routes in include Lead Network Engineer / Staff Network Engineer (5-8 years), Network Engineering Manager (3-5 years) and Principal Network Architect (3-5 years). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Director of Network Operations progress to?

This role can lead on to VP of Infrastructure / Chief Network Officer (3-5 years), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Director of Network Operations?

Increasingly, AI/ML for Network Operations (AIOps) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) & Zero Trust Architecture. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

Free tools

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Three free tools, no account needed. Each one ends with a role, a level and a way in.

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17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 7

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

 More jobs in technology and data

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.
If you leave this industry

Skills in strategic infrastructure leadership, large-scale operations and complex problem-solving carry across industries. Similar director or VP roles exist in finance, healthcare, manufacturing and retail, and in technology consulting at a senior level.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my Director of Network Operations plan, free What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.