Lead Physical Infrastructure Architect - Hybrid – Permanent in London

Salary: Up to £60,000 per annum (negotiable based on experience) + comprehensive benefits package

Hours: 35 hours per week

Reports into: Head of Architecture and Engineering

Working style: Hybrid - A blend of working from home and your nominated hub office. We have hubs located in London, Bristol, Manchester and Oxford.

For 30 years Jisc has pioneered digital solutions for UK education and research, transforming how knowledge is created, shared and used. We are uniquely positioned to protect, promote and lead the sector in digital and data transformation, making a difference to students, communities and society. Together, we are working to build a better digital future for education and research.

About the team:

The Architecture and Engineering team designs, operates, and protects the core infrastructure behind Jisc's security services. Organised into Critical Infrastructure, Platform Services, and Core Services, the team ensures resilient, high‐performing systems that support trusted services across the UK. Your role will sit within the Core Services team, focusing on data centres, networking, and hypervisors, the backbone of national operations.

What you’ll be doing:

This new and pivotal role focuses on data centre management, networking, and appliances. You’ll ensure high availability and performance across nationally resilient data centres. You will be responsible for architecting, operating, and continuously improving secure and resilient physical infrastructure that underpins Jisc's critical security services. In addition, you’ll adopt and implement automation, streamlining processes and operations across the technical estate. You’ll also drive scalable infrastructure‐as‐code management to deliver efficiency and resilience at every level. You will lead operational engineers while managing nationally resilient data centres, networking, and appliances to ensure high availability and performance, drawing on your expertise in security architecture, core infrastructure, clear leadership, and large‐scale networking operations.

Other responsibilities will include:

• Identify risks and vulnerabilities in system architecture designs and develop and implement effective mitigations.
• Monitor system performance and security posture, proactively identifying and addressing vulnerabilities and emerging threats in line with defined security policies and procedures.
• Ensure systems are fully documented, operated within Jisc's policy framework, and compliant with ISO9001 and ISO27001 standards.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive culture within the cybersecurity team, encouraging knowledge sharing and continuous learning.

What we are looking for:

We are seeking a skilled professional who can combine technical expertise with strong leadership to ensure Jisc's infrastructure remains secure, resilient, and future‐ready. You will bring a proven track record in security architecture and operational delivery, together with the ability to lead and inspire teams.

Key skills and experience we would love to see could include:

• Proven experience as a security architect or in a similar role, with expertise in core systems infrastructure.
• Experience of leading teams and managing operational engineers.
• Operational experience with networking services at scale.
• Previous experience of security testing for applications and infrastructure.
• Ideally, knowledge or experience of data centre operations.
• Strong understanding of security principles, protocols, and technologies, with a focus on practical implementation.
• Knowledge of security practices and technologies including identity and access management, encryption, data protection, and compliance frameworks to design and improve architecture.

This position requires the successful candidate to undergo enhanced background screening checks, which include but are not limited to:

• Basic / Enhanced UK criminal record check
• Credit check
• International fraud and sanctions

We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they think they can’t tick every box, so we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet 100% of the requirements, but if you feel this role is perfect for you. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!

Specific patterns for working in the office are not mandated, and the frequency of time worked in the office is agreed with your manager. Meeting in person is something we value, so you may need to travel on occasion to any of our hub offices.

Why work for us?

At Jisc, every role is meaningful, and every individual is valued. We foster a culture of continuous learning and personal growth, offering opportunities to develop new skills and make a real impact in education and research. With a strong focus on work-life balance, we embrace flexible working that prioritises outcomes over hours, empowering you to create a rhythm that energises both your professional and personal life.

Jisc's culture is powered by our four guiding principles: putting customers first, driving innovation, creating impact, and championing inclusive collaboration to deliver sustainable outcomes and shape a better future.

Discover the amazing benefits we provide! Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Flexible work pattern, which can adapt to suit your schedules and personal commitments
• 31 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) that includes three closure days over Christmas
• Buy up to an additional 5 days leave during the flexible benefits window
• A range of wellbeing lifestyle benefits including company paid health care cash plan, mental health first aiders and support
• A company culture of continuous learning with access to thousands of LinkedIn Learning courses, and lots of resources and opportunities to support your development
• Allocated allowance of up to £250 to equip your home office
• Financial well-being support including access to preferential loan and savings plans, mortgage advice, will writing tools and support and resources to help you make the most of your money
• A wide range of discounts and cashback from retailers and big-name high-street stores
• Family friendly policies including enhanced parental, maternity and paternity and co-parental leave as well as opportunity for career breaks
• Support your volunteering with up to 3 days volunteer leave

Equity, diversity and inclusion:

Jisc believe our people make all the difference in cultivating an inclusive culture that welcomes ideas, encourages innovation, and values belonging. We work hard to create an equitable experience for our candidates and workforce which embraces all aspects of their identity including race and ethnicity, religion and belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, trans identities, age, class, disability, neurodivergence, or veteran status.

Application process:

Please let us know how we can best accommodate you throughout the recruitment process. We’re committed to making our process accessible and comfortable for everyone - just tell us what works best for you. Just so you know, we review CVs as soon as we can and aim to provide an update on your application within 4 weeks of receiving it. However, you may hear from us a lot sooner, so please keep an eye out for our emails or calls!

We’re really looking forward to getting to know the real you. While we encourage the use of AI tools to help you get started on your CV or cover letter, we encourage you to review your application before submitting. Make sure it truly reflects your own voice, experiences, and personality.

If you are currently a Jisc employee, please apply through your Dayforce Employee profile.

We have a thorough background screening process that verifies the details you share with us in your CV and your application. Any inaccurate information supplied during the application stages can lead to a job offer being withdrawn.

Sponsorship:

Jisc has an active sponsor licence to recruit on a Skilled worker visa basis. Candidates wishing to apply who require sponsorship should determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant Home Office criteria. Jisc does not offer any financial re-imbursement towards the applicant costs, such as re-location, skilled worker visa and dependant costs or the immigration health charge.

No agencies please.