Head of Cloud and Networks in Hemel Hempstead

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection, a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place.

Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Cloud & Networks to lead the vision, design, and delivery of our global cloud and network services.

This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for shaping the enterprise cloud strategy across AWS and Google Cloud, while ensuring the resilience, security, and performance of our global network infrastructure.

You will play a critical role in driving digital transformation, modernising legacy platforms, optimising cloud spend, and building scalable technology foundations that support business-critical operations worldwide.

• What You'll Be Doing
• Define and execute the enterprise cloud and network strategy across AWS and Google Cloud environments.
• Lead the design, implementation, and continual improvement of cloud architectures and services.
• Oversee global network operations, including WAN, LAN, SD-WAN, wireless, VPN, DNS, DHCP, IPAM, and perimeter security.
• Manage strategic technology partners including AWS, Google Cloud, AT&T, and DXC, ensuring strong service delivery and commercial outcomes.
• Drive cloud migration, modernisation, and infrastructure transformation programmes.
• Establish cloud governance, cost optimisation frameworks, tagging standards, and lifecycle management practices.
• Ensure compliance with security standards, regulatory requirements, and internal IT policies.
• Lead initiatives focused on resilience, disaster recovery, high availability, and global failover capabilities.
• Develop operational standards, monitoring strategies, observability frameworks, and engineering best practices.
• Oversee major incidents and problem management activities, driving continuous improvement and root cause resolution.
• Define and monitor KPIs, SLAs, operational metrics, and executive reporting dashboards.
• Champion automation, Infrastructure as Code, CI/CD integration, and cloud engineering excellence.
• Manage budgets, forecasting, and vendor contracts across cloud and network services.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing global engineering team.
• Leadership Profile

You are a strategic technology leader with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.

You combine strong architectural expertise with commercial awareness and exceptional people leadership skills.

You will bring

• Proven experience leading global cloud and network teams.
• Strong vendor and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated success delivering complex transformation programmes.
• A proactive and analytical approach to problem solving.
• The ability to balance strategic planning with operational excellence.

Technical Expertise Needed

• Deep expertise in AWS services including VPC, IAM, EC2, EKS, Lambda, RDS, Route 53, Cloud Front, and Infrastructure as Code using Cloud Formation or Terraform.
• Strong knowledge of Google Cloud Platform services, including VPC, IAM, GKE, Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, and cloud networking.
• Extensive experience managing enterprise-scale networking environments, including MPLS, SD-WAN, BGP, OSPF, routing, switching, firewalls, DNS, and Zero Trust architectures.
• Strong understanding of network and cloud security principles and compliance frameworks such as NIST, ISO 27001, and SOC 2.
• Experience with Fin Ops, cloud cost management, and service governance.
• Knowledge of Kubernetes, containerisation, microservices, and modern Dev Ops practices.
• Why This Role Matters

This position has a significant impact on the organisation's business continuity, cybersecurity posture, digital transformation agenda, and technology roadmap.

You will be responsible for strategic decisions affecting global infrastructure, cloud adoption, network resilience, and long-term scalability across the enterprise.

If you are passionate about building world-class cloud and network capabilities and want to shape the future of a global technology environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.

• Professional certifications highly desirable, including

• AWS Solutions Architect Professional
• Google Professional Cloud Architect
• CCNP or CCIE
• TOGAF
• ITIL
• Additional Information

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally.

You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing.

You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial andlifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish.

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics.

We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Detection, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing.

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