Telecommunications project managers are currently in high demand as technology and software constantly changes. Projects are, by definition, short-term in nature. Project managers in telecommunications management jobs coordinate the scheduling of engineers, work with key stakeholders, and manage the constraints of time, project scope requirements, and budgets. Projects that telecommunication project managers execute may be internal, such as updating software and systems. Alternatively, the projects may be a deliverable for a major customer. In both cases, the project manager position requires excellent communication and negotiation skills to manage the expectations of stakeholders.
Education and Training Requirements
Telecom management jobs in project management may require a Bachelor in Science degree in electrical engineering or in information technology. Many companies also strongly encourage a certification in project management (Project Management Professional) from the Project Management Institute. To become a project manager in telecommunications requires a thorough understanding of the principles and body of knowledge in project management as well as a thorough understanding of the software, hardware, and products involved with the telecommunications industry.
According to Salary.com, salary averages for telecommunication management jobs in project management average about $98,000 per year, with benefits, bonus, and salary totaling $144,000.
Network Operations Manager
Telecom management jobs also include network operations managers. The network operations manager is responsible for a variety of deployment functions, including setting up the backbone of the network — switches, routers, and lease lines. The network operations manager may also be responsible for setting work execution timelines and ensuring that the network production processing occurs at high level. The network operations manager also may have personnel who report directly to him or her, and may also be required to handle personnel training and management.
Education and Training Requirements
network operations managers, like other telecom manager jobs, often require a bachelor’s degree, usually in computer science, telecommunications or engineering. A bachelor’s in business management with a master’s in telecommunications is a sought-after degree combination. Generally, network operations managers have five or more years of experience in a telecommunications position before moving into a management position. Experience purchasing hardware, software, and managing vendor contracts is also helpful. It is of further benefit to have a working knowledge of server products as well as network monitoring applications. With the nature of security issues, a network operations manager should also have a full understanding of security measures.
According to Salary.com, salaries for telecommunication management jobs in network operations management average about $94,000, with benefits, bonus, and salary totaling $136,000.
Information Technology Manager
The telecom management jobs for information technology management have the responsibility of managing small teams of technical experts. The information technology manger is responsible for administrating and maintaining hardware, LAN and WAN administration, as well as maintaining corporate applications. The IT manager is also responsible for developing and implementing project conversion plans and control system projects. He or she will also need to work with cross-departmental teams to ensure that production meets the needs of the stakeholders.
Education and Training Requirements
Like other telecom manager jobs, this position usually requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a similar field. Most positions require a minimum of 2-4 years either in the field as a technical lead, or in a supervisory role. Many positions require a solid understanding of the hardware and software technology utilized by the organization. A general understanding of network engineering, architecture, and design may be required for most companies. Some organizations like to see certifications in specific software and hardware applications, but that requirement may not be enforced if the person has significant and provable experience in working with the technology. According to Salary.com, salaries for telecommunication management jobs in information technology management average about $101,000, with benefits, bonus and salary totaling $147,000.
The major companies in the telecommunications marketplace include the following, in order of size:
China Mobile Ltd. $196.92B
AT&T Inc. $185.98B
Vodafone Group Plc $129.27B
Telefonica S.A. $113.02B
Verizon Communications $98.90B
America Movil S.A.B de C.V. $80.54B
Other companies to consider are niche companies who offer a unique feature or service. While the aforementioned dominant companies will likely offer greater stability, some of the greatest opportunities for rapid advancement, as well as potentially large stock options and bonuses, may be with smaller companies. As a caution, smaller companies pay the premium in salary, bonus and stock options because of the inherent business risk of starting up a company. If you do your homework on the company in advance, you will reduce the probability of a bad surprise later on.
Most of the companies listed have US subsidiaries as well as offices in multiple states. Career choices are numerous for those seeking telecom manager jobs. For those who want to work outside of the US, opportunities exist, especially if you have foreign language proficiency.
The Job Outlook
Currently, the job outlook in the telecommunications industry is promising. Current studies project the rate of growth for positions in telecom management jobs at 16 percent from 2006 to 2016. While many of the companies are worldwide, most major cities have offices for the wireless service telecoms, as well as backbone services for the net. During a review of open positions online, every major metropolitan city had openings for telecom management jobs. People with bachelor’s degrees in computer science and master’s degrees in telecommunication have the best likelihood to be hired in a telecom management role.
Conclusion
The telecommunication management job market looks very promising for the next ten years. Several factors are coming together around internet, cell phone, and other data transmission demands, resulting in growth opportunities in most telecommunication companies. While the historical business model has changed, the new companies are branching out into a wide variety of services and markets that require telecom managers, including project managers, information technology managers, and network operations managers.
