Network Architect

Network Architect

Location: Belfast
Level: Senior Manager
Employment Type: Permanent

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Network Architect or senior networking professional to take ownership of a global network strategy within a major international organisation undergoing significant technology transformation.

This is a senior, strategically focused position offering the opportunity to shape a multi-year network roadmap, influence technology investment and play a key role in how the organisation evolves its infrastructure to support cloud transformation, AI adoption and future business requirements.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical networking expertise with commercial awareness, strategic thinking and the ability to engage confidently with senior technology leadership.

The Role

Working within the Enterprise Technology Platforms function, you will take responsibility for the architecture, strategy and future direction of a complex global network environment.

With significant investment and changes to global network services planned over the next three years, you will have the opportunity to influence major technology decisions, manage strategic vendor relationships and develop business cases for multimillion-pound infrastructure investments.

Key responsibilities include:

• Own and develop the global network architecture and multi-year technology roadmap.
• Lead the strategic evolution of global WAN, LAN and SD-WAN environments.
• Evaluate existing network providers, services and technologies, identifying opportunities for innovation, improved performance and cost efficiency.
• Work closely with Cloud, IT Operations, Information Security and Enterprise Architecture teams to ensure network strategy supports wider business objectives.
• Develop and present business cases for significant technology investments, balancing security, operational requirements, service quality and commercial considerations.
• Manage relationships with external technology partners and vendors, including commercial negotiations and service delivery.
• Provide architectural leadership across complex global infrastructure projects, ensuring technical designs meet business requirements.
• Support the organisation's continued cloud evolution, primarily within Microsoft Azure, while considering the future impact of AI and emerging technologies.

The Person

We are looking for someone with a strong foundation in networking who is ready to take greater ownership of technology strategy and business outcomes.

You may already be operating as a Network Architect, Infrastructure Architect or Network Strategy Lead, or you could be a highly capable Senior Network Engineer looking to progress into a more strategic leadership position.

Ideally, you will bring:

• Extensive experience in enterprise networking, including global WAN, LAN, SD-WAN and network architecture.
• A strong understanding of cloud networking, ideally within Microsoft Azure.
• Experience contributing to or owning network architecture strategies, technology roadmaps or major infrastructure transformation programmes.
• Exposure to complex, large-scale environments and the challenges associated with global connectivity.
• Strong commercial awareness, including vendor management, supplier selection, contract negotiations or technology investment decisions.
• The ability to communicate technical strategy and influence senior stakeholders, including IT Directors, CIOs and CTOs.
• An understanding of network security, architectural governance and operational resilience.
• A genuine interest in emerging technologies, particularly how cloud and AI will influence future infrastructure requirements.

Importantly, you don't need to have held a senior strategic title previously. The organisation is open to candidates with the technical credibility, communication skills and ambition to step into a broader leadership role.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to move beyond traditional network architecture and have a genuine influence on the future direction of technology within a global organisation.

You will benefit from:

• Strategic ownership: Take responsibility for a global network roadmap and influence major technology decisions.
• Significant investment: Play a central role in a multi-year programme involving major changes to global network providers and services.
• Technology transformation: Work within an organisation that has already completed a substantial cloud transformation and is investing heavily in AI adoption.
• Senior leadership exposure: Engage directly with senior technology stakeholders and contribute to decisions that shape the wider business.
• Career development: Build experience beyond networking across cloud, security, commercial strategy and enterprise technology, with opportunities for longer-term leadership progression.

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