Network Architect

Network Architect (Consultant) – Financial Services Transformation

Location: London (hybrid)

Engagement Type: Consulting assignment

Role Overview

Albany Beck are scaling out the Security practice and we're seeking an experienced Network Architect to join Albany Beck as a consultant supporting a major financial services client.

In this role, you will shape and deliver robust, scalable, and secure network architectures across enterprise, data centre, and cloud environments. You’ll bridge business requirements with technical solutions, ensuring high performance and resilience across LAN, WAN, and hybrid infrastructures.

This is a hands-on architecture role with strong stakeholder engagement, where you’ll guide design decisions, influence strategy, and oversee implementation across complex environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Produce high-level designs, solution overviews, and conceptual architectures aligned to business needs
• Translate functional and non-functional requirements into scalable, secure network solutions
• Define architecture standards, blueprints, and best practices
• Lead network architecture workstreams across project lifecycles
• Provide technical direction across integration, implementation, and operational readiness
• Support the evolution of network strategy and long-term technology roadmaps
• Collaborate with enterprise, infrastructure, security, engineering, and operations teams
• Evaluate and recommend tools, platforms, and third-party services
• Drive continuous improvement in architectural practices and delivery efficiency
• Mentor team members and contribute to knowledge sharing initiatives

Required Experience & Skills

• Strong background in enterprise, data centre, and cloud networking with a proven delivery track record
• Experience designing hybrid solutions spanning on-premise and cloud platforms
• Solid understanding of AWS and Azure networking (e.g. VPCs, hybrid connectivity models)
• Familiarity with modern security approaches including SASE and Zero Trust
• Experience with monitoring and observability tools such as SolarWinds and Dynatrace
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to operate effectively in complex, fast-paced environments
• Knowledge of risk-aware design and secure architecture principles

Technical Expertise

• Enterprise Networking: Routing & switching, MPLS, SD-WAN, VPNs, QoS, ACLs, STP, L2/L3 technologies
• Data Centre: Spine-leaf architecture, VxLAN, Cisco NX-OS, load balancing and authentication technologies
• Cloud Connectivity: Direct Connect, Transit Gateway, VPN, NAT, and cloud-native security controls
• Security: Multi-vendor firewalls, segmentation strategies, IPSec/MACsec encryption, NAC solutions
• Wi-Fi: Centralised and cloud-managed WLAN (e.g. Meraki)
• Monitoring: Network performance and observability tooling

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, IT, or equivalent experience
• Relevant certifications such as Cisco (CCNA/CCNP/CCIE), AWS Advanced Networking, TOGAF, or equivalent