Overview
Location: London/Hybrid
Hours: 40 hours per week
Contract: Permanent – Salaried
Merlin is undertaking an exciting global transformation focused on sustainable growth and technology-led innovation. We are seeking a strategic and commercially driven Global Head of Network Operations to lead our worldwide network function. This is a critical leadership role responsible for delivering secure, scalable, and high-performing network infrastructure while driving operational excellence, innovation, cost efficiency, and team development.
Responsibilities
- Strategic & Operational Leadership: Lead and execute the global network strategy, ensuring efficiency, resilience, and scalability.
- Drive cost-optimisation initiatives, including SD‑WAN improvements, contract negotiations, and vendor performance.
- Align network operations with wider transformation goals and infrastructure roadmaps.
- Innovation & Technology: Champion emerging technologies such as AI-driven monitoring, SDN, and cloud-native networking.
- Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across the team.
- Implement automation tools to boost performance, reduce costs, and streamline operations.
- Operational Excellence: Oversee global network service delivery, ensuring SLAs are met and incidents are proactively managed.
- Enhance visibility and performance through advanced monitoring platforms.
- Standardise and automate processes, ensuring accurate CMDB data and efficient updates.
- Prioritise exceptional service and uptime to support guest experience.
- Team Leadership: Lead and develop a global team of network engineers, providing mentoring, career development, and succession planning.
- Build a high-performance culture with regular coaching and recognition.
- Ensure ITIL-aligned service management practices are consistently applied.
- Security & Compliance: Work with security and compliance teams to ensure network architecture meets internal and regulatory standards.
- Oversee network disaster recovery planning and execution.
- Cost Management: Own the global network OPEX budget, including forecasting, tracking, and reporting.
- Assess network design and vendor proposals to ensure best value.
- Support asset lifecycle management to reduce technical debt and optimise spend.
- Qualifications & Experience: 7+ years in enterprise network engineering and operations in a global organisation.
- Proven track record in operational cost reduction, vendor management, and service optimisation.
- Deep expertise in TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, STP, QoS, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, SDWAN.
- Hands-on experience with Cisco, Juniper, Fortinet, and cloud networking.
- Certifications: CCNP required; CCIE or CCDP desirable.
- Experience with ITIL, SolarWinds, CatTools, and network automation scripting.
- Demonstrable experience working in a Managed Service Partner relationship
- Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead innovation and develop high-performing teams.
Benefits
- “Enjoy the Ride” Merlin Annual Passes – 6 in total per year, 1 for you, plus 5 to gift to loved ones!
- Merlin Magic Pass – 20 free tickets for you, your family and friends to enjoy all our Merlin Attractions across the world rising to 40 after a year’s service
- 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- Company bonus
- Private pension scheme
- 40% discount online off LEGO
- 25% discount in our on-site retail shops and restaurants
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
- Plus, many more…
If you have any questions or if you require any assistance, because of a disability or medical condition, please contact us by email at Recruitment@Merlinentertainments.biz and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Pay RangeCompetitive
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