Technical Project Manager - Network & Infrastructure Refresh

Technical Project Manager - Network & Infrastructure Refresh

Location: North London (2-3 days per week onsite non-negotiable)

Rate: Up to £650/day (Inside IR35)

Contract: 6-8 months | Start: Immediate

Client: Local Government

Salt are partnered with a North London Local Authority delivering a large-scale Network and Infrastructure Modernisation Programme.

This role will lead delivery of a multi-site network transformation, replacing end-of-life Cisco and Aruba infrastructure with a cloud-managed, resilient, and scalable architecture to support hybrid working and the council's digital strategy.

It's a visible and hands-on role within the Digital Delivery Team, working with stakeholders across Infrastructure, Architecture, Security, and Procurement.

The current environment is based on legacy Cisco and Aruba systems, a hub-and-spoke WAN model, and ageing LAN switches. This setup limits performance, introduces single points of failure, and constrains the rollout of modern technologies such as Wi-Fi 6.

The modernisation programme will transition the council to a cloud-managed distributed architecture, introducing Direct Internet Access (DIA) at each site to enhance resilience, security, and performance.

Delivery is structured into multiple workstreams: LAN, WLAN, WAN/DIA, and remote access.

• Lead end-to-end delivery of the network and infrastructure refresh across all workstreams.
• Develop and maintain delivery plans, test strategies, and implementation roadmaps.
• Coordinate internal technical teams, external suppliers, and contractors to meet quality and governance standards.
• Oversee procurement activity (spec writing, tender coordination, contract award) in partnership with Corporate Procurement.
• Manage full lifecycle delivery from pilot testing through to deployment and operational handover.
• Ensure all technical changes are governed through CAB and comply with organisational security standards.
• Manage communications and user readiness for changes such as MFA and access policies.
• Track CAPEX timelines to ensure all equipment is receipted by the 31st March deadline.
• Provide clear reporting to senior stakeholders: board updates, risk logs, and escalation management.
• Maintain focus on delivery outcomes: improved performance, reduced risk, and long-term cost efficiency.

• Proven record delivering large-scale network and infrastructure projects across multi-site or complex environments.
• Strong understanding of modern network architectures, including:
  • Cloud-managed Wi-Fi (Cisco Meraki, Aruba Central or equivalent)
  • LAN refresh (PoE++, multi-gig switches)
  • SD-WAN / SASE / Direct Internet Access (DIA)
  • Azure-based hybrid remote access
• Experience navigating public sector procurement frameworks and supplier engagement.
• Strong track record managing technical teams and third-party vendors.
• Confident stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to explain complex technical change clearly.
• Experience operating within formal governance (CAB, board reporting, risk/change management).
• Ability to work at pace to meet capital and fiscal deadlines.

• Hands-on familiarity with Cisco or Aruba wireless technologies and Azure networking.
• Experience delivering projects to tight year-end budget deadlines.
• Understanding of Zero Trust principles and identity-based access.
• Prior Local Government or wider public sector infrastructure delivery experience.

This is a chance to lead a strategically critical infrastructure transformation that directly shapes how a major public sector organisation delivers digital services.

You'll take ownership of a high-impact programme, working closely with senior stakeholders and leading vendors to deliver measurable improvements in performance, resilience, and security.

*Rates depend on experience and client requirements