Wanted: Head of Global Network Infrastructure

Experienced Tech Recruiter with extensive experience in the Scottish market.

Glasgow (Hybrid – 3 days in office / 2 days from home)

Full-Time | 37.5 hrs/week | Flexibility required to support global teams.

Excellent opportunity for a high-calibre, forward-thinking Head of Global Network Infrastructure to join a global technology team at a pivotal moment of transformation. This newly created role offers the chance to lead a high-performing, globally distributed team of network professionals across the UK and other international regions, and to drive a strategic SD-WAN rollout. Reporting to the Head of Platforms, you'll serve as both a technical authority and people-focused leader, ensuring the global network is robust, efficient, and fit for the future.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic decisions and provide technical leadership across a global enterprise network.
• Manage a skilled team of 8–9 Network Engineers based across the UK and regional offices worldwide.
• Lead the deployment and implementation of SD-WAN, with specific experience in HPE SD-WAN technology.
• Work closely with senior stakeholders, including engagement at CIO level, to align network strategy with wider business goals.
• Balance day-to-day operational excellence with transformative project delivery in a fast-paced environment.
• Define and implement a global 24×7 network support model using a mix of internal and third-party resources.

What You’ll Bring

• Proven experience in SD-WAN design, deployment, and migration across global organisations.
• Solid enterprise networking background across multi-site LANs/WANs.
• Proficiency in Cisco technologies (Nexus 3K/9K, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP).
• Experience with firewalls (Palo Alto, Fortinet), VPNs, MPLS, and wireless (Aruba).
• Knowledge of cloud networking in platforms such as Azure, AWS, and GCP.
• Hands-on familiarity with monitoring tools such as SolarWinds, PRTG, and F5.
• Strong vendor management skills, including defining statements of work, negotiating SLAs, and ensuring consistent service quality.
• Experience managing third-party service providers and maintaining high service standards.
• Proven experience leading globally distributed teams, including line management and mentoring.
• Ability to influence and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders up to CIO level.
• Strategic thinker with a track record in IT service improvement initiatives.
• Experience defining and delivering 24×7 support models.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Certifications: CCNP, CCIE, PCNSE, NSE4/7, or similar.
• Familiarity with Zero Trust, ZTNA, and SASE.
• Experience with network automation/IaC (Ansible, Terraform, Python).
• Understanding of GDPR, Cyber Essentials, ITSM/ITIL frameworks.

Why This Role?

This is your opportunity to shape the future of a global network strategy, lead transformational projects, and influence at the highest levels. You'll help drive innovation in SD-WAN, improve resilience and performance, and bring automation and intelligence to a modernised, future-ready network. This isn’t just about keeping the lights on — it’s about setting the direction for where their network goes next.