What’s it all about then?

As the company IT network manager you’ll oversee the design, installation and maintenance of your company’s IT systems.

You’ll need to have plans in place to repair systems and recover programmes in double quick time, so that business disruption is minimised.

You’ll be part of a larger IT team and work with various project managers, technicians.

If you are someone who is technically-minded, has good IT skills, and likes solving problems, then this could well be the career for you.

What might I be doing?

Whilst the exact job functions will depend upon the systems that your employer has in place, these will include many of the following:

• Leading and managing a team of IT technicians
• Suggesting system improvements
• Managing company data
• Implementing and updating  IT network security measures
• Planning preventative maintenance schedules
• Monitoring and reporting on IT network performance and usage
• Managing IT network growth and development.
• Solving complex problems
• Working with colleagues from different departments to make sure that all systems work correctly.

What will be expected of me?

You’ll likely be an experienced IT professional with good management and leadership skills. Specifically you’ll be expected to have the following:

• In-depth knowledge of IT networks, especially those used by your company
• Interpersonal skills and experience of presenting information to groups
• Problem solving and project management experience
• Negotiation and team working expertise
• Financial and budget experience  
• Ability to work under deadline pressure

What can I expect?

You’ll be based in the company’s IT office and will work a typical 40 hour week although this might vary if your company works shifts or over the weekend.

Similarly when you’ve just installed a new system then the hours could be longer.

What about the pay?

The starting salary for this job could be anywhere from £23,000 rising to £27,000 depending on your experience and the levels of expertise that you’re able to demonstrate.

This could then rise with further experience and, if you reach a senior strategic role you could expect to earn in excess of £50,000.

What qualifications do I need to get in?

To become a network manager you'll need to have a proven track record and relevant experience, for instance in a role as a network engineer or IT technician (see the IT technician job profile for further details).

Management or supervisory experience would also be useful.

Your company might be looking for graduate trainees for the IT network manager role and relevant subjects here include BSc degrees in Computer Science, information technologies, Computer Engineering or Business Information Technology.

You could also consider a combined computing with business degree.

Some food manufacturing companies may also consider you if you are qualified in a subject other than IT, providing you have relevant experience and skills in this area.

What about further training?

This is dependent to some extent on your entry level qualifications.

You are strongly advised to take some on board however because the industry moves very quickly and you’ll get left behind if you don’t keep up with the latest advances.

Another suggestion is to consider taking membership of a professional body such as the Chartered Institute of IT who not only offer recognised programmes, but who are also in a position to help you develop your career in a structured manner.

Anything else I might need to know?

Yes, if you end up working with one of the large food manufacturing companies you’ll likely have more than one network to manage and you could get involved in designing and developing new systems – this will be particularly true if your company acquires competitors and you have to ensure that systems are compatible.

There are loads of jobs out there for those with the right skills and aptitudes – this is a great potential career for anyone interested in computing work!