Training

Network manager

Network managers help design, install and run an organisation's IT, data and telephone systems.

Annual Salary

£25,000 to £70,000

Working hours

37 to 39 a week

You could work: evenings; occasionally

2.4%
Future employment

There will be 2.4% more Network manager jobs in 2027.
In your local area

What's it all about?

Day-to-day tasks

You could:

  • assess a client's computing requirements
  • design and test network plans to meet your client's needs
  • put in place network security measures
  • plan back up and recovery systems
  • monitor and report on network performance and usage
  • identify problems and then fix them
  • manage other staff

Working environment

You could work in an office.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • training with a private provider
University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree before applying for a job as a trainee network manager.

Relevant subjects include:

  • computer networking and security
  • networks and communications systems
  • computer science
  • digital communications and networks

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
For more information
Apprenticeship

You could complete a network engineer higher apprenticeship or a digital technology solutions degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
Work

You could move into network management if you have relevant experience. For example, working as a network engineer, senior IT support technician or IT manager.

Other routes

You may be able to get an industry recognised certificate like Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or CompTIA Network+ through a private training provider.

You normally need to work in IT or have a high level of technical ability to get one of these certificates.

More information

Further information

You can find out more about computing careers and training through The Chartered Institute for IT and Tech Future Careers.

You'll need to keep your skills up to date, for example in mobile and 'cloud' technologies. You can do this through training and industry certifications.

You could move into:project and information management; service planning and delivery; information security; business analysis; freelance consultancy

The Tech Partnership has more information about careers in IT.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

  • knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • knowledge of systems analysis and development
  • customer service skills
  • persistence and determination
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
My top 5 skills from the skills bank
Please sign in to compare your skills to this job. Sign in

To save or view your choices and results you must sign in or register (takes 1 minute).

Sign in Register