At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage the UK network operations while driving improvements in a large-scale ISP environment.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at a leading ISP with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on network infrastructure and mentor future engineers.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in Network Engineering with leadership experience and strong technical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Network Manager / Senior Network Engineer to take ownership of our UK network operations while contributing to the wider team.blue European backbone. This is a hands‑on leadership role combining deep technical expertise with people management responsibilities. Potentially leading a small team of Network Engineers (2–3) in the future, while remaining actively involved in the design, operation, and evolution of a large-scale ISP and data center network.
You will be responsible for the day‑to‑day management, performance, resilience, and scalability of the UK network infrastructure, while also supporting core backbone services across the broader team.blue group. This role requires a proactive, self‑starting individual who can quickly understand complex network environments, take operational ownership, and drive improvements across infrastructure, processes, and team capability. You will report directly to the Director of Networks.
Key Responsibilities- Own and operate the UK network infrastructure, ensuring high availability, performance, and resilience across POPs, transit, peering, and data center connectivity.
- Support the team.blue European backbone, contributing to the stability and evolution of a large‑scale, multi‑country ISP network.
- Lead network design, scaling, and lifecycle management, including capacity planning, upgrades, and infrastructure migrations.
- Drive routing and interconnection strategy, with ownership of BGP policy, traffic engineering, IP transit, and peering relationships.
- Act as the senior technical escalation point, leading complex incident resolution across routing, switching, and physical infrastructure.
- Lead and mentor a small team of Network Engineers, setting technical direction and operational standards.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors, managing suppliers, troubleshooting carrier issues, and improving service delivery.
- Continuously improve network architecture and operations, enhancing resilience, observability, automation, and cost efficiency.
- 10+ years of experience in Network Engineering, with at least 3+ years in a senior or leadership role.
- Proven background in ISP, hosting, or service provider environments.
- Hands‑on experience designing, building, and operating a service provider core network (not only customer or access networks).
- Strong practical experience running internet‑scale routing and switching environments.
- Demonstrated ownership of BGP in production, including IP transit, peering, and routing policy control.
- Experience operating in or close to the default‑free zone (full routing tables) is strongly preferred.
- High ownership mentality, proactive in taking responsibility and driving issues to resolution.
- Strong collaborator with a team‑first mindset, working effectively across technical and non‑technical teams.
- Clear communicator with the ability to explain complex network concepts simply and effectively.
- Ability to mentor, coach, and develop engineers, sharing knowledge and raising team capability.
- Routing & Core Networking
- Expert knowledge of TCP/IP and the OSI model.
- Strong experience with BGP in production environments (policy control, traffic engineering, communities, default‑free zone).
- Experience operating internet‑scale networks with full routing tables.
- Experience with IP transit, peering, and route‑servers.
- Solid understanding of OSPF and/or IS‑IS.
- Experience operating MPLS networks (LDP/RSVP).
- Platforms & Infrastructure
- Strong hands‑on experience with Juniper MX and QFX/EX platforms (Juniper experience strongly preferred).
- Experience with multi‑vendor environments (e.g. Cisco, Nokia, Arista).
- Experience designing and operating service provider core, WAN, and data center networks.
- Familiarity with EVPN‑VXLAN, MC‑LAG, or Virtual Chassis is an advantage.
- Experience with network lifecycle management (build, migration, upgrades).
- Internet & Peering Ecosystem
- Experience with IP transit, peering, and IXPs (e.g. LINX, AMS‑IX).
- Knowledge of RIPE policies, IP address management, and routing registries.
- Familiarity with tools such as PeeringDB.
- Operations & Network Reliability
- Advanced troubleshooting across routing, switching, and physical infrastructure.
- Experience with DDoS detection and mitigation.
- Familiarity with flow technologies (NetFlow, IPFIX, J‑Flow) and monitoring platforms.
- Strong understanding of IPv4, with working knowledge of IPv6.
- Physical & Optical Networking
- Understanding of optical networking, transceivers, and fiber infrastructure.
- Experience troubleshooting carrier circuits and data center connectivity.
- DWDM / OTN knowledge is an advantage.
- Commercial & Vendor Management
- Experience working with vendors and suppliers (technical and commercial).
- Involvement in vendor selection, support management, and cost optimization.
At any stage please be prepared to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to support Sponsorship Visas.
Network Manager employer: team.blue UK
At team.blue, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Network Manager, you will not only lead a talented team but also have the opportunity to shape the future of our UK network operations within a supportive culture that prioritises professional growth and development. With a focus on cutting-edge technology and a commitment to employee well-being, team.blue provides a unique platform for meaningful and rewarding careers in the heart of the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Network Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network with industry professionals! Attend meetups, conferences, or online webinars related to network engineering. This is a great way to make connections and learn about job openings that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in practical ways! Consider creating a portfolio showcasing your past projects or contributions to open-source networking tools. This can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on technical concepts and common scenarios in network management. Practice explaining complex ideas simply, as communication is key in this role!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always looking for talented individuals like you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Network Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Network Manager role. Highlight your experience in network engineering, especially in ISP environments, and showcase any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this hands-on leadership role. Share specific examples of how you've driven improvements in network operations and mentored teams in the past.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:Don’t hold back on your technical skills! Make sure to detail your experience with BGP, routing, and core networking. We’re looking for someone who can dive deep into complex network environments, so let us know what you’ve done!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at team.blue UK
✨Know Your Network Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of TCP/IP, BGP, and the OSI model. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with Juniper MX and QFX/EX platforms, as well as any multi-vendor environments you've worked in. This role is all about technical expertise, so showing that you can navigate complex network environments will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this position involves leading a small team, be prepared to share examples of how you've mentored or coached others in the past. Highlight your ability to set technical direction and operational standards, and discuss how you've driven improvements in team capability. They want to see that you can inspire and elevate those around you.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-world situations, like resolving complex incidents or managing vendor relationships. Think of specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully navigated challenges, especially in ISP or service provider environments. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and operational ownership.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
You’ll need to explain complex network concepts simply, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Use straightforward language when discussing your technical expertise, and be ready to answer questions from both technical and non-technical team members. Good communication is key to collaboration, which is essential for this role.
