Global Network Manager - Patching

Global Network Patching Manager – Contract Location: Leeds, Sheffield, or Manchester Contract: Initial 3 months, likely extension to 6 months or longer Working arrangement: Flexible hybrid working, with potential out-of-hours work that can be completed remotely. The Opportunity We are looking for an experienced Global Network Patching Manager to take ownership of a global network patching service within a large, complex enterprise environment. You will oversee patching activity across three network platforms, ensuring changes are effectively planned, risk-assessed, tested, implemented and reported. This role requires someone with a strong network operations background who can coordinate technical teams, manage operational risk and ensure patching is delivered safely and consistently across multiple regions. Key Responsibilities Own the global network patching strategy, operating model and delivery plan. Coordinate three platform patching managers, ensuring consistent delivery and governance. Manage the global patching calendar, maintenance windows and cross-platform dependencies. Ensure patching aligns with vulnerability management, cybersecurity, availability and change-management requirements. Establish and maintain standards for pre-change checks, implementation scripts, post-change validation, rollback procedures and reporting. Review high-risk changes, ensuring appropriate testing, evidence and approvals are in place. Manage patching exceptions, deferrals, remediation plans and incidents arising from unsuccessful changes. Monitor and report on patching compliance, success rates, failed changes, ageing vulnerabilities and operational risks. Work closely with Network Operations, Cybersecurity, Change Management, suppliers and regional teams. Ensure effective regional handovers and maintenance-window coverage. Drive improvements across automation, testing, documentation and operational processes. What We're Looking For Strong experience in enterprise network operations, infrastructure change or network patching management . Good technical understanding of routing, LAN, WAN, firewalls and network resilience . Experience coordinating production changes across multiple platforms or global regions. Strong operational governance, change management and risk-management experience. Ability to challenge technical plans, testing approaches and supporting evidence. Experience managing incidents and making decisions under pressure. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. Ability to lead and coordinate technical teams without needing to be a hands-on specialist across every network technology. TPBN1_UKTJ