Deputy Manager Core Network & Operations

Purpose

The Deputy Manager – Core Networks and Operations is responsible for ensuring the availability, security, performance, and resilience of the organization's core IT network infrastructure. The role supports critical business applications and services by managing enterprise network operations, implementing security controls, monitoring network health, and delivering infrastructure modernization initiatives. Working closely with internal stakeholders, vendors, and service providers, the incumbent plays a key role in maintaining a secure, reliable, and future-ready network environment.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Telecommunications, or a related field.

Technical Skills & Knowledge

Strong expertise in Enterprise LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, and Data Center Network architectures, including high availability, redundancy, segmentation, and performance optimization.
Hands-on experience with Next-Generation Firewalls (Cisco Firepower, Palo Alto, FortiGate), IPS, SSL inspection, application control, and security policy management.Experience with Network Access Control (NAC) and Zero Trust solutions, including Cisco ISE, dynamic segmentation, posture assessment, profiling, and policy enforcement.
Advanced knowledge of routing and switching technologies, including BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VLANs, VRFs, STP/RSTP/MSTP, LACP, QoS, MPLS VPNs, DHCP, DNS, and IPv6.
Strong troubleshooting and operational skills using packet analysis, NetFlow, SNMP, Syslog, telemetry, and network monitoring platforms.
Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and standards, including ISO 27001, NIST, CIS Benchmarks, and PCI-DSS.
Experience supporting business continuity, disaster recovery testing, network resiliency, and security compliance initiatives.

Experience

Minimum 8+ years of overall IT experience.
Minimum 6+ years of hands-on experience in enterprise core network operations, including routing, switching, and firewall management.
Minimum 4+ years of experience in network security technologies, including Firewalls, VPNs, SASE, UTM, Zero Trust Architecture, and secure network design.
Minimum 4+ years of experience delivering network modernization, transformation, and infrastructure upgrade projects. 

Certifications

Cisco CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE
Palo Alto PCNSEFortinet NSE 7 / FCSS Network Security
Equivalent industry-recognized networking or network security certifications

Area of Responsibilities

Manage and maintain enterprise network infrastructure, including LAN, WAN, Data Center networks, Firewalls, VPNs, NAC, and Zero Trust platforms.
Monitor network availability, performance, capacity, and security posture, ensuring proactive identification and resolution of operational issues.Execute network changes, upgrades, troubleshooting, failover testing, disaster recovery exercises, and business continuity validations in accordance with change management processes.
Implement and support network security controls, including firewall policies, access controls, network segmentation, VPN connectivity, and security hardening standards.
Support cybersecurity compliance and risk management activities through vulnerability remediation, audit support, and adherence to ISO 27001, NIST, CIS, and internal security standards.
Monitor and respond to network and security events using SIEM, NMS, NetFlow, SNMP, Syslog, and telemetry platforms, ensuring timely incident resolution and service restoration.
Contribute to network modernization and transformation initiatives, including infrastructure refreshes, cloud connectivity, SASE/Zero Trust deployments, and technology upgrades.
Collaborate with business teams, vendors, OEMs, ISPs, and project stakeholders to support operational excellence and successful project delivery.
Maintain network documentation, configurations, inventories, diagrams, SOPs, and operational records to ensure governance and compliance requirements are met.
Prepare operational reports, performance metrics, risk assessments, and technical recommendations to drive continuous improvement and service reliability.