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Network manager

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Computing and ICT
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Career outlook for network manager

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£30,000

Experienced

£70,000

Currently employed in Scotland

22,700

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would design, set up and run computer systems to help connect people and companies.

You could work for one company as part of their IT team, or become a consultant, helping many different clients.

You would work with four main types of network:

  • Local area networks (LANs) – connecting computers within a small area like an office or building
  • Metropolitan area networks (MANs) – joining LANs together across a city
  • Wide area networks (WANs) – linking systems across countries
  • Global area networks (GANs) – joining networks across the whole world, often using wireless and satellite technology

You would:

  • Find out what your client or company needs
  • Design and test network plans to meet those needs
  • Make sure network plans work with different computer systems
  • Manage technical staff
  • Make sure networks are safe and secure
  • Check networks to make sure they are running properly
  • Report on how well networks work and how much they are used
  • Manage network changes or growth

You would work closely with other IT staff and business managers.

It would be important for you to be able to manage a project and negotiate.

Working conditions

Hours

You would work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may be expected to work overtime on some jobs to minimise disruption to a client's business.

Environment

The job is normally office-based.

Travel

You may be based at one site, or travel between various sites.

UK employment status

Full-time

86%

Part-time

7%

Self employed

8%

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  • Building relationships
  • Verbal communication
  • Working with technology
  • Problem solving
  • Working with numbers
  • Developing a plan
  • Delegating
  • Making decisions
  • Taking responsibility
  • Analysing

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

Most applicants have either a degree (SCQF level 9/10), a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) qualification in an IT subject such as:

  • Computer systems
  • Network technologies
  • Software engineering
  • Electronic engineering
  • Business information systems 

To enter a relevant IT course at Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma level (SCQF level 8) requires National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers (SCQF level 6). 

To enter a degree course requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of three Highers at BBB. 

A postgraduate degree (SCQF level 11) in advanced networking or network security would be helpful.

Useful subjects

English and maths are required by most courses. Other required subjects depend on the course but may include:

  • Physics
  • Technologies subjects such as Computing science and Engineering

You will also need

You usually need to have relevant work experience as a network engineer, systems analyst, IT manager or network administrator to enter this job.

You would need a driving licence for some jobs.