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- Tasks: Lead the evolution of our Mobile Core Network and Infrastructure Platforms.
- Company: Join Virgin Media O2, the UK's fastest broadband network and a beloved mobile brand.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive reward package with benefits that support you and your loved ones.
- Why this job: Shape the future of telecommunications and drive impactful change in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in mobile network core leadership and managing multi-million-pound budgets.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that empowers everyone to be their authentic selves.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Head of Core and Infrastructure Evolution
Location: Birmingham, Leeds, London, Manchester, Peterborough, Reading
Job Family: Digital & Technology
Job Type: Full Time
Ref #: 69257
We have a brand-new role for a Head of Core and Infrastructure Evolution to join our Core Engineering team to lead the evolution of our Mobile Core Network and Infrastructure Platforms. You will lead the development of the evolution plan, initiation, and modernisation of our Transformation plan for network core and infrastructure platforms. This role is responsible for shaping and driving strategic development across mobile core, voice and messaging, IT infrastructure, and public cloud integrations. It requires a candidate with strong technical expertise, commercial discipline, financial acumen and the ability to catalyse complex project delivery across cross-functional teams. This position plays a critical role in aligning network capabilities with business ambitions, embedding automation and orchestration, and ensuring scalable, resilient, and cost-effective operations holistically across the Core Application, Infrastructure and Cloud landscape.
Key Responsibilities
- Platform Development and Leadership
- Lead the strategic development of mobile core, IT infrastructure, voice and messaging, and supporting cloud services.
- Budget Ownership & Financial Governance
- Own the capital budget for network core and infrastructure domains.
- Delivery Catalyst
- Act as a catalyst for delivery across strategic and tactical programmes, removing blockers and accelerating time to value.
- Initiate multi-disciplinary teams and suppliers to deliver complex infrastructure programmes.
- Automation, Orchestration & Operations
- Embed a culture of automation, monitoring, and orchestration to drive operational efficiency and reduce manual intervention.
- Collaborate with architecture and engineering teams to implement scalable, secure, and cloud-native solutions.
- Support the shift toward cloud-native and software-defined infrastructure principles.
- Stakeholder Management & Interfacing
- Own strong relationships with internal teams, partners, and external suppliers.
- Optimise interfaces between teams and platforms to ensure seamless planning and delivery.
- Ensure roadmaps are built from robust requirements, driven by measurable business value.
Who we are
The UK’s fastest broadband network. The nation’s best-loved mobile brand. And, one of the UK\’s biggest companies too. Diverse, high performing teams – jam packed with serious talent. Together, we offer the UK more choice and better value, through our boundary-pushing, customer-championing values and ambitions. Together, we are Virgin Media O2, and we can\’t wait to see what you can do.
Accessible, inclusive and equitable for all Virgin Media O2 is an equal opportunities employer and we\’re working hard to remove bias and barriers for our people and candidates. So, we build equity and inclusion into everything we do, from the policies we craft to the relationships we shape. We support and encourage you to be your authentic self throughout your application journey with us.
The must haves
- Proven experience leading mobile network core and infrastructure programmes.
- Strong knowledge of voice, data, and messaging systems across mobile.
- Demonstrated success in managing multi-million-pound budgets with financial discipline.
- Experience in driving automation, orchestration, and digital infrastructure delivery.
- Strong leadership, with the ability to drive complex, cross-functional delivery programmes.
- Comfortable influencing at senior levels and engaging technical and non-technical stakeholders alike.
The other stuff we are looking for
- Exposure to hybrid cloud or public cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, or GCP) is highly desirable.
What’s in it for you
Our goal is to celebrate our people, their lives and everything in-between. We aim to create a culture that empowers everyone to bring the best versions of themselves to work each and every day. We believe the most inclusive and diverse culture makes for a better business and a brighter world. Working at Virgin Media O2, you get a bumper reward package bursting with benefits, and loads of extras you can add if you’d like to. These are designed to support both you and your loved ones, making sure that you’re covered no matter what life throws your way.
Next steps
If we feel like a place where you can belong, we\’d love to learn more about you as a person and your experience to date. Once you\’ve submitted an application the next steps of the process, if successful, are likely to include a competency based interview. When you apply, you\’ll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we\’ll be sure to discuss it with you.
Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert, therefore we may bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. If you’re offered a job with us, it will be conditional, based on the passing of background checks. All roles require a criminal record check and some roles need a financial probity check. Your recruiter can provide you with more information if needed.
Thanks for your patience and for showing an interest in joining the Virgin Media O2 family.
Seniority level
- Executive
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Information Technology
Industries
- Telecommunications
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Head of Core and Infrastructure Evolution employer: Virgin Media O2
Contact Detail:
Virgin Media O2 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Core and Infrastructure Evolution
✨Tip Number 1
Network, network, network! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews like it’s game day! Research the company, understand their values, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Practise common interview questions and think of examples that showcase your leadership and technical skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your past projects, especially those related to mobile networks and infrastructure. This will not only impress interviewers but also give them a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Virgin Media O2. So, get your application in and let’s make some magic happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Core and Infrastructure Evolution
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Core and Infrastructure Evolution role. Highlight your leadership in mobile network core and infrastructure programmes, and don’t forget to mention any experience with cloud services!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven automation and orchestration in previous roles, and how you can bring that expertise to our team.
Showcase Your Financial Acumen: Since budget ownership is key in this role, make sure to highlight your experience managing multi-million-pound budgets. We want to see how you've demonstrated financial discipline and governance in your past projects.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining the Virgin Media O2 family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin Media O2
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of mobile core networks, voice and messaging systems, and cloud infrastructure. Be ready to discuss specific technologies you've worked with and how they relate to the role. This will show that you're not just familiar with the concepts but have hands-on experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led complex, cross-functional projects in the past. Highlight your ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and how you've successfully managed multi-million-pound budgets. This is crucial for demonstrating that you can handle the responsibilities of this role.
✨Emphasise Automation and Efficiency
Since the role involves embedding automation and orchestration, be ready to discuss your experience in these areas. Share specific instances where you've implemented solutions that improved operational efficiency or reduced manual intervention. This will align perfectly with what they're looking for.
✨Understand Their Business Goals
Research Virgin Media O2's business ambitions and how the Core and Infrastructure Evolution role fits into their overall strategy. Being able to articulate how your skills and experiences can help them achieve their goals will set you apart from other candidates.
