At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of next-gen telecom solutions for Public Services.
- Company: First Point Group, a leader in Mission Critical Solutions.
- Benefits: Leadership role with exposure to cutting-edge technologies and collaborative environment.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career growth in a dynamic, international setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the telecom industry while leading innovative projects.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in telecom, strong leadership, and deep understanding of 4G/5G technologies.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
First Point Group is recruiting for a Core Network Solutions Director from the UK telecoms market. This is a truly exciting and impactful Technical Leadership role (within Core Networking) to drive the design and operational readiness of next-generation communication solutions across the Public Services sector within the area of Mission-Critical Networks / Mission Critical Solutions. The successful candidate will have 15+ years of experience including strong end-to-end understanding of 4G / 5G core technologies (Voice, Video & Data services). You will have a blend of team technical leadership experience (technical solutions and people-management) and customer engagement to oversee the following end-to-end function: solution design > integration > testing > acceptance > operational readiness.
PLEASE NOTE - sponsorship cannot be provided. Candidates must live in the UK with valid rights to work and be eligible for SC Clearance (British passport holder or 5 years of continuous residence in the UK). This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing Mission Critical Solutions business focused on delivering next-generation communications solutions across the Public Services sector. As the senior technical authority, you will lead the end-to-end delivery of complex Mission Critical solutions, working alongside senior leadership to drive solution strategy, customer engagement and technical delivery across large-scale, multi-vendor telecommunications environments.
Key Responsibilities- Lead and manage a team of Solution Managers responsible for multiple technical domains.
- Provide leadership to the Engineering Manager and teams responsible for testing, operations and continuous service improvement.
- Own the end-to-end technical solution from customer engagement through solution design, integration, testing, acceptance and operational readiness.
- Act as the primary technical interface for customers, building trusted relationships and ensuring technical requirements are successfully delivered.
- Coordinate technical delivery across internal teams, third-party vendors and integration partners.
- Drive solution architecture, validation and acceptance, ensuring business, functional and non-functional requirements are achieved.
- Oversee test strategy, defect management and operational readiness to deliver stable, high-quality solutions.
- Identify, manage and mitigate technical risks, dependencies and delivery issues throughout the project lifecycle.
- Provide governance, reporting and technical leadership to senior stakeholders.
- Champion continuous improvement across delivery methodologies, technical processes and cross-functional collaboration.
- Minimum 15 years' experience within the telecommunications industry, including senior technical leadership or solution delivery roles.
- Strong end-to-end understanding of 4G/5G Core technologies, including Voice, Video and Data services.
- Proven experience designing and delivering large-scale, multi-vendor telecommunications solutions.
- Extensive leadership experience delivering Core Network Functions across virtualised and containerised environments.
- Strong understanding of 3GPP standards and Mission Critical Services (MCX, MCPTT, MCVideo and MCData).
- Demonstrated experience leading Solution, Engineering, Test and Support teams within complex delivery programmes.
- Experience acting as the senior technical authority in customer-facing environments.
- Strong governance, programme risk management and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience engaging executive-level customers and partners.
- Engineering degree in Telecommunications, Computer Science, Electronics or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
- 4G EPC & 5G Core Mission Critical Services (MCX, MCPTT, MCVideo & MCData)
- 3GPP Standards
- Virtualised & Cloud-Native Core Networks (VNFs/CNFs)
- Voice, Video & Data Services
- Technical Governance & Risk Management
- Public Safety & Mission Critical Communications
- GSMA NESAS & Common Criteria
This opportunity would suit experienced Solution Directors, Technical Directors, Head of Solution Delivery, Head of Core Networks, Principal Solution Architects or Mission Critical Communications leaders who have delivered complex Core Network and Mission Critical programmes within telecom vendors, mobile operators, systems integrators or public safety organisations. Experience delivering multi-vendor solutions across 4G/5G Core, IMS and Mission Critical Services would be highly advantageous.
What's on Offer- Opportunity to lead strategic Mission Critical telecommunications programmes across the Public Services sector.
- Leadership role owning end-to-end technical solution delivery.
- Exposure to cutting-edge 4G/5G Core and Mission Critical technologies.
- Collaborative international environment working alongside senior technical and commercial leadership.
- Opportunity to lead high-performing Solution, Engineering and Delivery teams across complex, business-critical telecommunications projects.
Head of Core Network Solutions employer: First Point Group
First Point Group is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of West Sussex. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to mentor junior engineers while leading impactful projects that drive technological advancement. The company values work-life balance and provides competitive benefits, making it a rewarding place for those seeking meaningful employment in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Core Network Solutions
✨Get Chummy with Industry Events
Dive into telecommunications networking conferences and expos. These are golden opportunities to meet potential employers like First Point Group and learn about open positions directly from their teams. Keep an eye out for workshops or panels – they’re perfect for showcasing your passion and expertise!
✨Join Networking Communities
Find online forums or local meetups that focus on telecommunications and networking. Sites like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit communities can be great for connecting with professionals in the field. Just remember to participate in discussions – you never know when someone might mention job openings at places like First Point Group.
✨Showcase Your Skills with Personal Projects
If you’ve got any personal projects or contributions to open-source networking tools, flaunt them! Create a portfolio that showcases your skills relevant to what telecommunication companies are looking for. It’s a great conversation starter during interviews and networking chats.
✨Utilise Online Job Boards Wisely
While we’re all about encouraging you to apply through our website, also keep an eye on job boards specific to tech and telecommunication roles. Websites such as Telecommunication Jobs and TechCareers often list full-time roles that may not appear elsewhere. Just be sure to tailor every application to grab attention – even small tweaks can make a big difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Core Network Solutions
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Know-How:When you're applying for a role in telecommunications and networking, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Mention specific technologies you're proficient in, like IP networking, VoIP, or security protocols. Be sure your CV includes any relevant certifications such as CCNA or CompTIA Network+; they really show you've got the chops for the job.
Tailor Your Experience to Match Networking Projects:In your CV and cover letter, don’t just list your past jobs—showcase specific projects that align with the role! If you've worked on network design, implementation, or troubleshooting, weave those experiences in and highlight metrics to demonstrate your impact. This paints a vivid picture of how you'd fit into the role at First Point Group.
Show Enthusiasm for the Industry:With telecommunications evolving rapidly, it’s important to express your passion for the field in your application. Mention any trends or innovations you've been following that excite you and how they'd influence your work. This can really set you apart and show that you're not just after a job, but a career!
Keep It Clean and Professional:While it’s important to be personable, ensure your application maintains a clean and structured format. Use clear headings and bullet points to make it easy for hiring managers to dig into your skills and experience. Remember, you’re applying for a full-time role, so a well-organised application will signal your seriousness about the position at First Point Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at First Point Group
✨Brush Up on Networking Protocols
Make sure you’re up to speed with the key networking protocols like TCP/IP, UDP, and perhaps even MPLS if it's relevant. We can expect technical questions about how these protocols function and the problems they solve, so a solid understanding will help you shine.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Got a portfolio? Bring it along! Highlight any relevant projects where you've designed or managed network systems. This is your chance to demonstrate practical experience; employers love to see how your skills can be applied in real-world scenarios.
✨Get Comfortable with Technical Scenarios
You might be faced with a case study or a technical troubleshooting scenario during the interview. Practise responding to common networking issues—like packet loss or latency problems. Thinking through these scenarios will help us sound confident and competent in our responses.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration Skills
In the telecommunications field, teamwork is key! Make sure to share examples of how you’ve worked collaboratively, whether in past jobs or projects at uni. Employers want to see that you’re not just technically savvy, but also great at working within a team setting.
