Network Transformation & Operations Transition Lead

Role: Network Transformation & Operations Transition Lead

Location: Leeds (Hybrid working available)

Fixed-term (18 months)

Salary £63,000 DOE

I'm delighted to be partnered with an innovative and ambitious organisation who are seeking a highly experienced Network Transformation & Operations Transition Lead to drive a critical period of change within their network services landscape.

They are a large, complex organisation with a diverse global community staff, committed to delivering world-class digital and technology services that enable excellence in teaching, research, and operations.

The Role:

This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of a major transformation programme, transitioning from an on-premises network support model to a blended operating model delivered in partnership with a Managed Service Provider (MSP).

You will provide authoritative leadership during mobilisation, transition, and early life support, ensuring operational stability, strong governance, and successful adoption of new ways of working.

This role spans two core areas:

Network Operations Transition & MSP Integration

Lead the transition to a blended in-house / MSP Network Operations Centre (NOC) model

Define clear roles, responsibilities, escalation paths, and governance structures

Lead mobilisation activity with the MSP, including scope validation, tooling, and monitoring coverage

Oversee knowledge transfer, cutover planning, and go-live readiness

Establish and govern SLAs, KPIs, service acceptance criteria, and reporting frameworks

Act as the senior operational escalation point throughout transition and early life support

Drive performance management, continuous improvement, and issue resolution with the MSP

Ensure a smooth transition into stable, sustainable BAU operations

Network Transformation Assurance

Provide operational assurance across network transformation programmes

Ensure new and upgraded infrastructure (switching, wireless, firewalls, core and edge systems) is fully supportable and operationally ready

Collaborate with architects and engineering teams to embed supportability into design

Define operational readiness requirements including monitoring, tooling, documentation, and processes

Ensure resilience, standardisation, and alignment with target architecture

Support delivery of complex network change in live environments

Leadership & Governance

Establish strong governance frameworks, RACI models, and service catalogues

Chair or contribute to operational governance forums and service reviews

Provide clear, evidence-based reporting to senior stakeholders

Manage risk, escalate effectively, and ensure accountability across all parties

Coach and support internal teams through change

Build confidence and capability in new operating models

Essential Experience

Proven track record leading teams through major technical and organisational change

Experience delivering or managing large-scale network refresh or modernisation programmes

Demonstrable experience transitioning services into MSP or outsourced models

Strong understanding of NOC operations and monitoring environments

Experience designing blended or shared service operating models

Strong governance, escalation, and stakeholder management capability

Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels

Ability to manage competing priorities in complex technical environments

Desirable

Experience in SIAM or multi-supplier environments

Background in telecoms or enterprise-scale networking

ITIL v4, PRINCE2, or PMP certification

Experience stabilising services post-transition

Please apply!