Head of Networks - Data Center

Job Title: Head of Networks

Location: London

Department: Infrastructure & Technology

Reports To: Director of Infrastructure / CIO

Role Overview

The Head of Networks will own the strategy, design, and delivery of the organisation’s network infrastructure across all European data centres, offices, and customer environments. This pivotal leadership role ensures that all network solutions are secure, scalable, resilient, and aligned with business growth.

You will lead a team of skilled network engineers, define the enterprise networking roadmap, and collaborate with cross-functional teams — including Security, Infrastructure, and IT Operations — to deliver a high-performance, high-availability network platform that underpins mission-critical business and customer operations.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute the strategic vision for enterprise and customer network infrastructure across multiple European sites and data centres.
• Develop and maintain a multi-year network roadmap, aligning technology capabilities with business strategy and digital transformation initiatives.
• Establish network standards, policies, and governance frameworks to ensure consistency, compliance, and scalability across the enterprise.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, driving innovation, automation, and standardisation in network design and operations.

Architecture, Design & Delivery

• Oversee the end-to-end design, implementation, and optimisation of LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, VPN, and wireless solutions across all environments.
• Manage enterprise routing, switching, VLAN segmentation, firewall policies, telephony systems (ISDN/SIP), and internal/external internet access.
• Ensure network resilience through robust backup, redundancy, and disaster recovery mechanisms.
• Lead network capacity planning, performance optimisation, and technology refresh cycles.
• Own the full lifecycle of network-related projects, from requirements gathering through to procurement, budgeting, vendor management, and security assessments.

Security, Compliance & Governance

• Partner with Information Security teams to enhance network security posture, addressing vulnerabilities and implementing intrusion detection/prevention systems.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, and other relevant regulatory standards.
• Drive a proactive approach to incident response, monitoring, and continuous threat detection.
• Oversee audit readiness and maintain comprehensive network documentation and asset inventories.

People & Stakeholder Leadership

• Build, develop, and mentor a high-performing network engineering team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Set clear objectives, manage performance, and align team skills with evolving business and technology needs.
• Act as the trusted technical adviser to senior stakeholders and executives on network strategy, connectivity, and resilience.
• Cultivate strong relationships with key vendors, partners, and service providers to ensure quality and cost-effective delivery.

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven track record in leading enterprise network strategy and operations across multi-site or data centre environments.
• Deep technical expertise in TCP/IP, routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP), LAN/WAN, MPLS, VPNs, SD-WAN, firewalls, and network segmentation.
• Experience managing Cisco and Juniper network technologies, including Cisco IOS/NX-OS and JunOS platforms.
• Strong background in network monitoring, capacity management, and incident response.
• Hands-on experience with network security frameworks, firewall configuration (Cisco ASA, Palo Alto, Fortinet, etc.), and telephony (SIP/VoIP) systems.
• Familiarity with cloud and hybrid networking (Azure, AWS, GCP) environments preferred.
• Strong understanding of ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, and ITIL-aligned service delivery processes.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance technical depth and business acumen.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, capable of influencing at C-suite level.
• Proven ability to lead teams, develop talent, and build a high-performance culture.
• Commercially aware, with experience managing budgets, vendors, and service contracts

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Network Engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Professional certifications preferred:
• Cisco: CCNP, CCIE
• Juniper: JNCIP, JNCIE
• Other relevant certifications: ITIL, CISSP, Azure/AWS Networking certifications

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to define and lead network strategy across a pan-European enterprise.
• Work with modern technologies in a high-availability, security-focused environment.
• Influence strategic infrastructure initiatives and shape the organisation’s digital future.

The ideal candidate is resilient, innovative, and commercially minded, with a collaborative approach and the ability to think laterally. If you are passionate about shaping and growing network ecosystems within the Data Centre space, apply now and be part of our growth journey!