At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of network infrastructure in a major banking group.
- Company: Join a leading financial services firm in London with a dynamic hybrid work culture.
- Benefits: Freelance flexibility, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to challenge norms and drive innovation.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on cutting-edge network architecture in the banking sector.
- Qualifications: 8-10 years of Cisco networking experience and strong strategic thinking skills.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
A major banking group operating in EMEA is undergoing a significant infrastructure transformation programme, converging two separate network environments (a legacy three-tier Cisco campus network and an ACI spine-leaf fabric) alongside the integration of a European banking subsidiary. This is a hands-on senior architecture role requiring both strategic thinking and the ability to roll up sleeves and engage at detailed engineering levels.
Requirements
- Deep expertise in Cisco networking: Nexus (7K, 5K, 2K, 9K), IOS, NX-OS
- Strong working knowledge of Cisco ACI — ability to assess hybrid/pseudo-ACI deployments and define target-state app-centric or network-centric design
- Expert-level routing and switching: OSPF, BGP, EIGRP (including identification and remediation of misconfigurations)
- Data centre network design: spine-leaf, three-tier, convergence strategies
- Firewall architecture: Palo Alto (PA-40 series), Cisco ASA (legacy and migration)
- WAN/MPLS concepts and managed service architectures (NTT or similar providers)
- IP address management (IPAM) and DNS/DHCP strategies
- Network security design principles
- Familiarity with SD-WAN, cloud networking (Azure, AWS), and hybrid connectivity
Advantageous
- Cisco CCIE (Routing & Switching or Data Centre) or equivalent demonstrable expertise
- Experience with network automation and orchestration tooling
- Knowledge of co-location and proximity hosting environments
- Understanding of financial services network requirements (trading floor, market data, payment systems)
- Able to operate with ambiguity — comfortable in environments without fully defined organisational structure
- Strong communication skills: able to articulate complex technical problems to non-technical senior stakeholders
- Commercial awareness — understanding of total cost of ownership, vendor contracts, and infrastructure spend
- Collaborative and pragmatic, with the confidence to challenge incumbents and advocate for sound design principles
- Self-starter capable of providing direction to others with limited supervision
Senior Network Architect - freelance - hybrid, London, UK employer: Comgent
Comgent in Ipswich is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where your contributions directly impact the success of SAP implementations. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer continuous training and development opportunities, ensuring you stay at the forefront of technology in a dynamic cloud-enabled environment. Join us to be part of a team that values your expertise and supports your career aspirations while enjoying the vibrant community of Ipswich.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Network Architect - freelance - hybrid, London, UK
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry meetups, webinars, or even local tech events. You never know who you might bump into that could lead to your next gig.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your past projects and achievements. This is your chance to demonstrate your expertise in Cisco networking and data centre design.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply; engage! When you find a role that excites you, reach out to the hiring manager on LinkedIn. A friendly message can make you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep it flexible! Since this is a hybrid role, be ready to discuss how you can adapt to both remote and in-office work. Show them you’re the perfect fit for their dynamic environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Network Architect - freelance - hybrid, London, UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Network Architect role. Highlight your deep expertise in Cisco networking and any relevant experience with ACI and data centre design. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this freelance role. Share specific examples of your past work that align with the job description, especially around network architecture and transformation.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication skills. In your application, mention instances where you've successfully explained complex technical issues to non-technical audiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Comgent
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Cisco networking knowledge, especially around Nexus and ACI. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've implemented these technologies, as well as any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
This role requires both hands-on skills and strategic insight. Prepare examples of how you've successfully designed network architectures in the past, particularly in complex environments like financial services. Highlight your ability to think critically about convergence strategies.
✨Communicate Clearly with Non-Techies
You’ll need to explain complex technical concepts to senior stakeholders who may not have a technical background. Practice simplifying your explanations and use analogies where possible to ensure clarity and understanding.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
This position values collaboration and pragmatism. Be prepared to discuss how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past, and share instances where you’ve successfully challenged existing processes or advocated for better design principles.
