Head of Digital Network Architecture in London

We have a great new role for a Head of Digital Network Architecture to join our Digital Networks Transformation team. You will play a pivotal role responsible for driving agility, scalability, and efficiency across our product, platform, and data teams in PTP & CTO. You will be tasked with defining and implementing architectural strategies, practices, and methodologies that enable rapid development, continuous integration, and data‑driven decision‑making. You will define and implement architectural guide‑rails to enable the squads to deliver quality at source and at speed. Your leadership will guide our teams in meeting the demands of the ever‑evolving telecommunications landscape.

We need a candidate with architectural breadth covering fixed and/or mobile networking technologies, modern architecture patterns, opensource initiatives, cloud technologies and data architecture. Experience of AI and machine learning techniques would be highly advantageous.

You will manage a team of Architects and run an Architecture as a Service (AaaS) function within CTO that will provide best‑in‑class architectural leadership, strategy and strategic plans, security and privacy guidance, lead innovation within the organisation. You will ensure the continuous improvement of products, platforms and data whilst optimising cost and minimising technical debt. This function will play a key role in the entire lifecycle of solutions from concept to commercialisation and help shape and deliver our Network End State Architecture.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to the architecture team, ensuring the development of scalable, secure, and innovative digital products and platforms.
• Guide product, platform and data initiatives from “concept to commercialisation”.
• Document, define and architect current state, end state and transition state architectures for products, platforms and data estate in Insights and Performance.
• Own, contribute and shape VMO2’s Network End State Architecture.
• Ensure that all digital products and platforms adhere to the highest security and privacy standards and comply with relevant industry regulations.
• Introduce modern cybersecurity techniques and best practices to our internal data, products and platforms landscape.
• Review the architecture and design elements of products and platforms and sign off on the overall design, working in close collaboration with our Digital Principal Tech lead and Technical Enablement Managers.
• Partner with Digital Principal Tech lead and Technical Enablement Managers to analyse and identify technical solutions to understand and challenge requirements, developing efficient and resilient systems.
• Own multi‑year architectural roadmaps, provide guidance, influence and input into the ABR (Annual) & QBR (quarterly) PI planning sessions.
• Create and communicate architectural blueprints and guidelines that should enable technical delivery squads, not hinder them, by providing clear guidance, rather than introducing a delay of being an approval gate.

The must haves

• Extensive experience covering software architecture, system design, and technology stacks relevant to digital products and platforms.
• Hands‑on experience with modern architecture patterns e.g. Microservices, Mesh App and Service Architecture, Event Driven Architecture etc.
• Strong leadership and people management skills to guide and mentor architecture teams and foster a culture of collaboration.
• Hands‑on experience with Opensource initiatives, standards and tools e.g. Opensource Telecoms Products (ONAP, ODL, ONOS, Nephio), Open APIs and alternative API standards (GraphQL, gRPC, Async APIs), Apache Product Suite, Linux Product Suite, Opensource Databases etc.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to align technical decisions with the organization's business goals and long‑term vision.
• Proven track record of creating and driving value through strategic initiatives.
• The role requires a working knowledge of fixed and/or mobile networking technologies, vendors and solutions – RAN, Core, IP Transport, SDN, DOCIS, XGS PON etc.
• A good understanding of Cloud Technologies.
• Experience building, architecting, designing, and implementing highly distributed global cloud‑based systems.
• Hands‑on experience with Telco Cloud (VNF/CNF), Private Cloud, Public Cloud and Hybrid Cloud architecture patterns, tools and services.
• Deep understanding of Network Programmability including patterns, best practices, pitfalls and challenges.
• Hands‑on experience in delivering software solutions on top of programmable networks to plan, build, run and operate networks.
• Experience in Data Architecture best practices including data modelling, data flows and data consumption/production patterns.
• Good knowledge and understanding of building effective data lakes and products in the cloud.
• Strong problem‑solving abilities to address architectural challenges and make data‑driven decisions complemented with the ability to adapt to changing technologies, requirements, and industry landscapes.
• Strong consultative skills to accurately capture stakeholder needs to define technical requirements is a must.
• Ability to effectively convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

The other stuff we are looking for

• Knowledge of modern cybersecurity principles and best practices to ensure the security of digital products and platforms.
• Understanding of industry‑specific regulations and compliance requirements, such as GDPR, TSA, ISO etc.
• An understanding of business processes, models, and revenue generation strategies to make informed architectural decisions.
• Deep understanding of how architectural patterns can affect the business be more cost effective and drive new revenue.
• An awareness of ethical considerations in technology, including data privacy and responsible AI.
• Broad understanding of Ethical AI principles and importance.
• Understanding of Agile development methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, Scaled Agile) and DevSecOps practices to facilitate collaboration and continuous integration and delivery of products, platforms and data.
• Experience of Telecoms industry specifications and best practices for architecture, data modelling and business processes e.g. TM Forum, Metro Ethernet Forum, IETF, GSMA, Open Broadband etc.
• Working knowledge of classical AI and machine learning techniques, including supervised and unsupervised learning, feature engineering, model training, evaluation and deployment.
• Working knowledge of next‑generation AI approaches, including generative AI and agentic systems, such as large language models, retrieval‑augmented generation, prompt and workflow design, tool‑calling and autonomous decision‑making patterns.

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. 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 technical and competency 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.