Network Operations Lead - Tampa, FL (Onsite) - CG

Role: Network Operations Lead

Locations: 202 N Westshore Blvd STE 500, Tampa, FL 33607 (Fully Onsite)

Duration: 12+ Months Contract

Note: Candidate needs to be in the office 5 Days every week. Local or candidates from Nearby states only.

Job Description:

• We are seeking a hands-on Network Operations Lead who will play a dual role serving as the onsite network support engineer while also managing a remote network support team.
• This position requires 40 hours onsite weekly, providing direct support for network infrastructure and ensuring operational excellence across both onsite and remote environments.
• The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise, leadership skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• You will handle all onsite network troubleshooting and support, while also driving performance, training, and accountability within your remote team.

Key Responsibilities:

Onsite Support Responsibilities (40 hours/week):

• Troubleshoot and support all onsite network infrastructure issues.
• Maintain and support Cisco switches, Meraki Wireless Access Points (WAPs), structured data cabling, Webex video conferencing systems, and VoIP telephony systems.
• Serve as the primary onsite point of contact for all network-related support tasks.
• Manage the full lifecycle of network hardware RMAs, including configuring emergency replacements, integrate with vendor support, tracking and documentation.

Remote Team Management:

• Lead a distributed network operations support team.
• Foster a high-performance culture with a strong sense of urgency and ownership.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and training to support team growth and skill development.

General Network Operations Duties:

• Oversee network monitoring, maintenance, and incident response.
• Perform root cause analysis of recurring network problems and implement long-term solutions.
• Ensure network security policies and protocols are consistently enforced.
• Develop and maintain operational procedures and documentation.
• Plan and execute network performance improvements, upgrades, and scalability projects.
• Collaborate with IT, Security, and Support teams to support broader initiatives.
• Prepare and deliver regular reports on network health, incident trends, and team performance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in network operations, with at least 2+ years managing teams.

Strong hands-on experience with:

• Cisco switching and routing
• Meraki networking platforms
• VoIP systems and conferencing tools like Cisco Webex & Microsoft Teams
• Data cabling standards and structured cabling troubleshooting

Skills & Competencies:

• Advanced troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate technical teams.
• Excellent communication skills clear and concise for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational skills for managing RMAs, SLAs, and documentation.
• Working knowledge of network diagnostic tools (e.g., SolarWinds).
• Experience with network protocols (TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, VLANs, BGP, OSPF).
• Experience with SD-WAN and hybrid network environments is a plus.
• Familiarity with network security practices (firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS).

Preferred Certifications:

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or higher.
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
• Other relevant network and infrastructure certifications.