Post Title: Network - Manager
Grade: 8
Job Description
2.1. Purpose
The Network - Manager will ensure that all network services deployed on behalf of the
University Group are delivered and operated in accordance with the needs of the Group.
The Network - Manager is accountable for the day to day operation, security and delivery of our
network services. They will ensure network services are efficient, secure, perform optimally and
are aligned to business goals and objectives. The post holder is accountable for the
maintenance of configuration data, capacity planning, service availability and continuity. They
will ensure adherence to service levels and all operational processes (such as incident, problem,
change management processes) pertaining to network services.
The Network - Manager will participate in continuous improvement analysis and design, as well
as the development of network based solutions.
The post will line manage and oversee the day to day working of the Network Team. They will
ensure high team performance alongside developing a culture of learning and empowerment.
2.2. Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Explains the purpose of, and provides advice and guidance on, the application and
operation of technical security controls. Performs security risk, vulnerability assessments,
and business impact analysis for network systems.
2. Maintains an in-depth knowledge of network technology, and provides expert advice
regarding their application. Supervises specialist consultancy.
3. Takes responsibility for the design, procurement, installation, upgrading, operation,
control, maintenance and effective use of IT network components and monitors their
performance. Provides technical management of network operations, ensuring that
agreed service levels are met and all relevant procedures are adhered to. Schedules and
supervises all maintenance and installation work. Ensures that operational problems are
identified and resolved. Provides appropriate status and other reports to specialists, users
and managers. Ensures that operational procedures and working practices are fit for
purpose and current.
4. Actively monitors for, and seeks, opportunities, new methods, trends, capabilities and
products to the advancement of the organisation. Clearly articulates, and formally reports
potential benefits from both structural and incremental change. Encourages and motivates
colleagues to share creative ideas and learn from failures.
5. Maintains awareness of opportunities provided by new technology to address challenges
or to enable new ways of working. Within IT networks, works to further organisational
goals, by the study and use of emerging technologies and products. Contributes to
briefings and presentations about their relevance and potential value to the organisation.
6. Provides input to the service continuity planning process and implements resulting plans.
7. Provides expertise and support on use of methods and tools.
8. Defines systems development projects which support the organisation’s objectives and
plans. Selects, adopts and adapts appropriate systems development methods, tools and
techniques. Chooses appropriately from predictive (plan-driven) approaches or adaptive
(iterative/agile) approaches. Ensures that senior management is both aware of and able to
provide the required resources. Facilitates availability and optimum utilisation of
resources. Monitors and reports on the progress of development projects. Ensures that
projects are carried out in accordance with agreed architectures, standards, methods and
procedures (including secure software development). Develops road maps to
communicate future development activity.
9. Coordinates and manages planning of system and/or acceptance tests, including software
security testing. Takes responsibility for the integrity of testing and acceptance activities
and coordinates the execution of these activities. Provides authoritative advice and
guidance on any aspect of test planning and execution. Manages all test processes,
including test plans, resources, costs, timescales, test deliverables and traceability.
Manages client relationships with respect to testing matters. Identifies process
improvements, and contributes to corporate testing standards and definition of best
practice.
10. Leads a team, providing expert technical knowledge in the systems testing of platform-
specific versions of software products, on varying platforms. Provides specialist guidance
information to support, systems testing and quality assurance functions to assist in
improving procedures.
11. Takes responsibility for installation projects, providing effective team leadership. Develops
and implements quality plans and method statements. Monitors the effectiveness of
installations and ensures that appropriate recommendations for change are made.
12. Provides advice, assistance and leadership associated with the planning, design and
improvement of service and component availability. Includes the investigation of all
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breaches of availability targets and service non-availability, with the instigation of remedial
activities. Plans arrangements for disaster recovery together with supporting processes
and manages the testing of such plans.
13. Performs defined tasks to monitor service delivery against service level agreements and
maintains records of relevant information. Analyses service records against agreed service
levels regularly to identify actions required to maintain or improve levels of service, and
initiates or reports these actions.
14. Maintains secure configuration, applying and maintaining tools, techniques and processes
to identify, track, log and maintain accurate, complete and current information.
15. Develops implementation plans for complex requests for change. Evaluates risks to the
integrity of service environment inherent in proposed implementations). Seeks authority
for those activities, reviews the effectiveness of change implementation, suggests
improvement to organisational procedures governing change management. Leads the
assessment, analysis, development, documentation and implementation of changes based
on requests for change.
16. Leads the assessment, analysis, planning and design of release packages, including
assessment of risk. Liaises with business and IT partners on release scheduling and
communication of progress. Conducts post release reviews. Ensures release processes and
procedures are applied.
17. Evaluates new system software, reviews system software updates and identifies those that
merit action. Ensures that system software is tailored to facilitate the achievement of
service objectives. Plans the installation and testing of new versions of system software.
Investigates and coordinates the resolution of potential and actual service problems.
Ensures that operational documentation for system software is fit for purpose and current.
Advises on the correct and effective use of system software.
18. Drafts and maintains standards and procedures for network capacity management.
Ensures the correct implementation of standards and procedures. Pro-actively reviews
information in conjunction with service level agreements to identify any capacity issues
and specifies any required changes. Works with business users to agree and implement
short and medium term modifications to demand.
19. Drafts and maintains procedures and documentation for network applications support.
Manages network application enhancements to improve business performance. Advises
on network application security, licensing, upgrades, backups, and disaster recovery needs.
Ensures that all requests for support are dealt with according to set standards and
procedures.
20. Provides technical expertise to enable the correct application of operational procedures.
Contributes to the planning and implementation of maintenance and installation work.
Identifies operational problems and contributes to their resolution, checking that they are
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managed in accordance with agreed standards and procedures. Provides reports and
proposals for improvement, to specialists, users and managers.
21. Drafts and maintains procedures and documentation for network support. Makes a
significant contribution to the investigation, diagnosis and resolution of network problems.
Ensures that all requests for support are dealt with according to set standards and
procedures.
22. Ensures that appropriate action is taken to anticipate, investigate and resolve problems in
systems and services. Ensures that such problems are fully documented within the
relevant reporting system(s). Enables development of problem solutions. Coordinates the
implementation of agreed remedies and preventative measures. Analyses patterns and
trends.
23. Ensures that incidents are handled according to agreed procedures. Investigates escalated
incidents to responsible service owners and seeks resolution. Facilitates recovery,
following resolution of incidents. Ensures that resolved incidents are properly documented
and closed. Analyses causes of incidents, and informs service owners in order to minimise
probability of recurrence, and contribute to service improvement. Analyses metrics and
reports on performance of incident management process.
24. Develops and maintains the standards, processes and documentation for comms rooms.
Optimises efficiency in population of comms room space. Ensures adherence to all
relevant policies and processes. Uses comms room management tools to plan, record and
manage the types of infrastructure installed and the associated power, space and cooling
capabilities, usage and actions to meet corporate sustainability targets.
25. Manages individuals and groups. Allocates responsibilities and/or packages of work.
Provides support and guidance as required, in line with individuals' abilities. Delegates
responsibilities as appropriate. Advises individuals on career paths, and encourages pro-
active development of skills and capabilities. Sets performance targets, and monitors
progress against agreed quality and performance criteria. Provides effective feedback,
throughout the performance management cycle, to ensure optimum performance.
Mentors individuals, possibly within other parts of the organisation. Participates, as
appropriate, in formal processes such as disciplinary procedures.
26. Determines the required outcomes for learning or development, from organisational
development needs training strategies, and agreed career pathways. Mentors assigned
practitioners, ensuring alignment with predetermined statements of required
development outcomes. Assists each practitioner with the creation of development plans
based on the outcome statements. Ensures that each practitioner records evidence of
continuing professional development. Validates practitioners' records at the end of each
cycle of planned development, to ensure that achievements and enhanced capabilities are
correctly recorded and referenced to the outcome statements. May contribute to
practitioners' performance appraisals.
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27. Manages suppliers to meet key performance indicators and agreed targets. Manages
implementation of supplier service improvement actions. Use suppliers' expertise to
support and inform development roadmaps. Manages operational relationships between
suppliers. Ensures potential disputes or conflicts are raised at an early stage, with clear
escalation paths for resolving them. Performs bench-marking and makes use of supplier
performance data to ensure that supplier performance is properly monitored and regularly
reviewed. Identifies constraints and opportunities when negotiating or renegotiating
contracts.
28. Manages aspects of the product lifecycle, working with colleagues in other disciplines to
enable effective marketing and customer support. May act as product owner for one or
more lower value products or services.
Deputises for the Head of Core Technology Services as required.
AND such other duties as are within the scope of the spirit of the job purpose, the title of the
post and its grading.
2.3. Supervision Received
Line management is from the Head of Core Technology Services.
2.4. Supervision Given
Network Team.
2.5. Contacts
• IT Services staff, including Executive Team.
• University Group Leadership Team.
• Staff and students in other Schools / Support Areas of the University Group.
• External Suppliers and other education institutions.
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3. Person Specification
ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIAL ADVANTAGEOUS
Education & • A degree relevant to IS/IT. • CCNP.
Qualifications • Or full membership of an IS/IT • ITIL.
professional body. • CISSP.
• Or substantial experience in lieu of
the above which demonstrates a
professional approach to IS/IT
development.
Knowledge & • Understanding global / local business • Understanding of
Experience differentiation. business organisation,
• Knowledge of customer behaviours, politics and culture.
needs and expectations. • Ability to understand
• Digital business literacy. related industries.
• Tracking of emerging trends. • Higher Education
experience.
Interpersonal Skills • Results orientation. • Conceptual thinking.
• Collaboration / teamwork. • Strategic thinking.
• Resolving conflicts and problems. • Leading, inspiring and
• Adaptability. building trust.
• Openness to learning.
• Decisiveness.
• Accountability.
• Communication, listening and
information gathering.
• Creative and innovative thinking.
• Influencing and persuading.
Job-related Skills, • Supplier management. • Public cloud
Abilities & • Integrating solutions. infrastructure.
Competencies • Understanding digital technologies. • Microsoft Azure.
• Understanding existing systems and • Amazon Web Services.
technology.
• Problem solving.
• Voice and data networking.
• LAN/WAN infrastructure.
• Cyber-security within network
technologies.
Other • A flexible approach to working hours
Requirements and location, including a willingness
to travel, locally, nationally or
overseas, as required.
• An appreciation of other cultures; the
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global reach of the University and its
international agenda.
• A mature, professional and self-
motivated approach to tasks.
• Ability to represent IT Services in
formal and informal settings.
• Able to work under pressure.
• Ability to work flexibly and extended
hours by agreement to meet tight,
fixed deadlines or as required by
service imperatives.
• Health & Safety Awareness.
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