Overview
We’re looking for a Principal Network and Infrastructure Specialist to take ownership of a diverse and business-critical network estate, spanning core switching, enterprise Wi‑Fi, and voice systems across key sites including transport hubs, offices, and partner locations.
This isn’t just about maintaining infrastructure, it’s about leading it. You’ll drive the evolution of network services across both on‑premise and cloud environments, acting as the go‑to expert for troubleshooting, optimisation, and transformation.
From managing Cisco‑based switching environments and VLAN configurations to supporting Aruba wireless networks, you’ll be at the heart of keeping people, places, and services connected.
Job Type: 6 month fixed‑term contract.
What you’ll be doing
- Lead, manage, and continuously develop the organisation’s network, voice, and connectivity infrastructure across cloud and on‑premises environments, ensuring alignment with the Tech and Insights strategy and industry best practice.
- Provide expert technical leadership and 3rd‑line support for highly complex infrastructure issues and transformation projects, making independent, informed technical decisions to maintain resilient and secure services.
- Ensure the network infrastructure is secure, reliable, and recoverable by overseeing performance, monitoring, backup, disaster recovery, and compliance with cyber security, data protection, and governance standards.
- Drive the adoption of modern, scalable architectures and automation, identifying opportunities for improvement, managing risks and dependencies, and delivering solutions that provide value for money.
- Oversee and support the delivery of infrastructure services through effective collaboration with internal teams, contracted resources, and external suppliers, while contributing to skills development and knowledge resilience within Digital and Data.
Essential requirements
- Extensive experience within networking and infrastructure environments, including but not limited to Cloud virtual networking, LAN / WAN, Firewalls, Voice and Wireless technologies.
- Extensive experience administering, configuring, and designing a multisite and hybrid cloud enterprise network environment.
- A good understanding of network and infrastructure roadmaps and the ability to evaluate the applicability for business productivity solutions in accordance with the Digital and Data strategy.
- Experience of deploying hybrid cloud networking and infrastructure solutions, such as Managed service WANs, Multi‑site enterprise LANs, enterprise Wireless solutions, virtual cloud networking and secure resilient network environment and technologies.
- Experience with core network technologies such as data and voice networks, routing, Layer 3 switching, firewall configuration, VLANs, Software‑Defined Network technologies and secure resilient design principles.
- Extensive knowledge of supporting layer 2 / 3 Cisco and HP Aruba network environments and virtual networking.
Location
The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.
Benefits
- Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
- Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme which allows you to build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions.
- 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days.
- EV car benefit scheme.
- Healthcare plans.
- Discounted gym membership, will writing, and mortgage advice.
- An option to buy a bicycle, including e‑bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
- 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
- Interest‑free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology.
- Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big‑name retailers, and more, including a Costco membership through WMCA.
- Boundless unlocks unlimited entry to top‑rated UK attractions and provides many extra benefits and discounts.
- Eye Care Scheme, offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.
Equal Opportunity / EEO Statement
We are a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria. We gladly consider part‑time, flexible, and job‑share arrangements. We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, meaning we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage and only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks.
Right to Work
Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.
Non‑UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
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