Senior Networks Manager

We're seeking an experienced Senior Manager, Networks to lead a global network function within a dynamic technology environment. This position combines technical leadership, people management, and strategic delivery, ensuring network performance, reliability, and innovation across the organisation.

The successful candidate will oversee both Business as Usual (BAU) operations and project-based initiatives, including the implementation of a large-scale SD-WAN transformation to enhance network performance, resilience, and scalability.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to the global network team, ensuring high availability and performance across all infrastructure services.

• Mentor and develop network engineers, fostering collaboration and professional growth.

• Partner closely with IT Infrastructure and Platform teams to deliver seamless global support and consistent service levels.

• Lead the design, implementation, and optimisation of WAN and LAN technologies, including SD-WAN and cloud-based networking (SASE).

• Drive automation initiatives to streamline network management, reduce manual workloads, and improve service efficiency.

• Ensure consistent documentation, adherence to IT governance standards, and compliance with change control and security protocols.

• Oversee patching, upgrades, and lifecycle management of network infrastructure to maintain performance and security.

• Manage and prioritise network incidents, problems, and service requests to ensure prompt resolution and minimal downtime.

• Work with Service Delivery teams to drive continuous improvement in processes and response times.

• Identify and address technical debt, ensuring infrastructure remains scalable and fit for purpose.

• Manage relationships with third-party vendors and service providers, ensuring SLAs and KPIs are met.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into effective network solutions.

• Extensive experience leading global network operations and transformation projects.

• Proven expertise in SD-WAN design, implementation, and migration, ideally across multiple regions.

• Strong background in Cisco technologies (Nexus, BGP, EIGRP, OSPF), firewalls (Palo Alto, Fortinet), and wireless solutions (Aruba).

• Demonstrated success managing third-party vendors and negotiating SLAs.

• Experience managing multi-million-pound network budgets and delivering measurable cost efficiencies.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical topics to non-technical audiences.

• Expert-level troubleshooting and design skills across enterprise-scale LAN/WAN environments.

• Proficiency with network management and monitoring tools such as SolarWinds, PRTG, and F5 technologies.

• Knowledge of IT governance and compliance frameworks (e.g. GDPR, Cyber Essentials).

• Experience in cloud networking (Azure, AWS, or GCP).

• Familiarity with network automation and infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g. Ansible, Terraform, Python).

• Understanding of Zero Trust, SASE, and ZTNA frameworks.

• Exposure to Network Access Control (NAC) systems such as Cisco ISE or Aruba ClearPass.

• Professional certifications such as CCNP, CCIE, PCNSE, or NSE4/7 (or equivalent).