Manager - Network And Security

Aldar Education; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 260,000 - 500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Aldar Education is seeking a Manager - Network & Security in Abu Dhabi to lead its LAN/MAN/WAN and security infrastructure. The role demands overseeing policy, DR readiness, and security governance across the group’s schools, with strong collaboration with IT leadership and external partners.

The candidate should have 12+ years in IT networking, relevant certifications, and experience managing complex projects for enterprise networks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics & Communications or Computer Engineering is required.
• 12+ years of IT networking experience including administration and project management of IT infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of network protocols, security standards, and vendor management.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, operate, maintain and monitor Enterprise Network and Security infrastructure (Aruba, Juniper, Cisco, Fortigate, Palo Alto).
• Coordinate with vendors and SI partners to deliver network and security projects.
• Develop performance reports and recommendations to improve network security and efficiency.
• Plan and guide tender documents and technical assessments for network upgrades.

Skills

Analytical skills

Troubleshooting

Project management

Vendor management

Technical communications

Education

Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics & Communications or Computer Engineering

Tools

Aruba

Cisco

Job description

Job Description:

Aldar Education is currently seeking a Manager - Network & Security for an immediate start in Abu Dhabi to support our growing family of owned and operated schools in the UAE. This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group.

Since its inception in 2007 with just 250 students, Aldar Education has grown into a highly sought-after education provider, with more than 25 owned and managed premium and super-premium schools and academies- in partnership with some of the world’s most prestigious institutions includingRugby School, King’s College Wimbledon, and Cranleigh. The Group now serves over38,000 studentsthrough5,000 educators from more than 100 nationalities to deliver world-class education across a broad range of curricula and learning pathways from nursery through to K12.

At Aldar Education, our impact goes far beyond the classroom: we are proud to contribute to the UAE’s vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy through premium education. With this in mind, we hire educators and industry professionals who not only embody our values and cultural ethos but also bring a genuine passion for education—qualities central to our mission of shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Job Purpose:

• Manages LAN/MAN/WAN data and communication network infrastructure and security, data transport media/mediums, interface types,interior & exterior gateway protocols, firewalls, antivirus, load balancers, multiple ingress/egress paths to the Internet, and satellite/branch officeconnectivity
• Establishes organizational wide standards for products, platforms, appliance-based solutions related to network and communication technologies /Security technologies that are adopted
• Maintainandensurenetworkandsecurityinfrastructureisalignedasper5yearstechnologyplan/roadmaps/visionssetbyGroupHeadof IT.
• Develop network and security policy and maintain ongoing assessment of security environment and recommend solutions for safeguarding the internaland external networks
• ManageandensurethatITDisasterRecoverysolutionsareupdated,testedandoperatedcorrectlyduringdisasters,ensuringbusinesscontinuity.

Responsibilities

Main Duties:

• PerformPOC’sandassessmentfordifferenttechprojectssuchasupgrades,conversions,infrastructurereplacements and improvements.
• Bethesubjectmatterexpertinallnetwork&securitytechnologiesandprovidedirectionandguidancetoITmanagement and assist in their decision making.
• Manageandsupervisesystemintegratorsandprincipalmanufacturerstodesign,implement,anddelivernetworkandsecurity projects.
• Developwirelessperformancedata,metrics,algorithms,andreportstomeasureandtrackclient,attendee,andstaffwireless experiences against service standards.
• MonitoroverallnetworkandsecuritylandscapeensuringallarealignedaspersetAEstandard.
• Establishpracticesandprocedurestomaintainnetworkandsecurityinfrastructure.
• OwnershipofthecompleteITDisasterRecoveryassetsandplan.
• Directandutilizeknowledgeonbestpracticesinarearelatedtonetworkandsecurityinfrastructure.
• ManagetherequirementgatheringandRFPcreationtodelivernetworkandsecuritytechnologiesthatmeetbusiness needs.
• Analyzeexistingtechnologylandscapeandresearchlatesttechto proposenewsolutionsortechnology upgradesto improve the performance and security.
• Manageandsupervisenetworkandsecurityanalysts/engineers/technicianstoprovideleadershipanddirection.
• ResolveescalatedL2&L3technicalissuesandcoordinatewithinternalandexternalpartiesuntilclosure.
• EstablishfirewallandsecuritypoliciesandconfigurationstandardsacrossAEbusinessstreams

Specific Duties:

• Design,implement,operate,maintainandmonitorEnterpriseNetwork(Aruba,Juniper,Cisco),IPTelephony(CiscoUnity) and Enterprise Network Security infrastructure (Fortigate, Palo Alto, Juniper).
• MonitorMPLS,IOE,andotherdatacommunicationlinksandprovideperiodic reports.
• ManageISP’s,vendorsandSI’s.
• Act asthelinkbetweenAldarPropertiesandAldarEducationforallNetwork&Securitymatters.
• Maintainnetworkstandardizationandnetworkequipmentspecifications
• Managenetworkassets(i.e.networkhardwareandsoftware,monitoringtools).
• EnsurenetworkchangesandsupportsarerecordedinITSMandfollowingthecorporateSLAswhereapplicable.
• ResponsibleforrelevantChangeManagementprocessesrelatedtoNetworkandSecurity
• Maintainsupportcontractsfornetworkinfrastructuredevices.
• Generatevariousperformancereports,analyzethosereportsandmakearecommendationtoimprovethenetworkperformance.
• Evaluatenewnetworkhardwareandnetworksolutions.Workwithvendor/systemintegratorsandprincipalmanufacturer for new solutions design.
• EnsurethatallNetwork&Securitytechnologies,policies andproceduresacrossAldarEducationbusinessstreamsare up to date, based on best practice and of the highest standards.
• Guidethepreparationoftenderingdocuments(RFP,BoQ’s,SoW’s)andperformthetechnicalassessment.
• CoordinatesecurityissueswithITTeamandexternalsecurityconsultants.
• ConductssystemsecurityauditsasperassignedscheduletodetectweaknessesinthesecuritysystemasperAldarEducation quality standards and procedures.
• PlanandguideVAPTactivitiesacrossthegroup.
• Supervisethetechnicalintegrationofnewschoolsandexpansionprojects,providingguidancetoengineersandensuring all standards and requirements are met.
• Preparesroutine&specialreportstohighlightITsecurityissues/concerns/criticalities.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BachelorofEngineeringinElectronics&CommunicationorComputerEngineering
• NetworkCertification:CCNA,preferablyCCNP
• CCNASecurityorequivalent
• MSCE
• Brandspecificcertificationsareaplus,suchasArubaandCisco

Minimum Experience:

• 12+YearsofexperienceinITnetworkingincludingadministrationandprojectmanagementofITinfrastructure.

JobSpecificKnowledge:

• StrongknowledgeofNetworkProtocols,networkcomponents,networkoperatingsystemsandSecurityStandards.
• Hands-onKnowledgeofproceduresusedforinstallation,modification,maintenanceandrepairofITnetworkhardwareappliance, virtual appliance, and software.
• Strongknowledgeofbelownetworktechnologies,
  • TCP/IPandIPSubnetting
  • Structurecabling/PassiveNetworking
  • SDWAN Solutions & Design Primciples
  • Switching–Juniper,Cisco
  • Routing–Juniper, Cisco
  • Wireless–Aruba,Cisco
  • IPTelephony–CiscoIPTelephony
  • NACSolution-Aruba
  • PerimeterandCoreFirewall–JuniperSRX,PaloAlto,Fortigate.
  • Centralnetworkmanagementandmonitoringtools–JuniperSTRM,Panorama,
  • VPN–Site-to-SiteIPSecVPN,Client-basedandClient-lessSSL/IPSecVPN
  • DMZnetworking
  • WebApplicationFirewall–On-premiseandCloud-basedWAF
  • Anti-VirusAdministration,
  • ManagementandMonitoringTool–SolarWinds,PRTG
  • VirtualizationandDRSolution–VMWarevSphereand SRM
  • SANStorage–DellEMC,PureStorage
  • OS–WindowsServerandWindows10

Skills:

• Stronganalyticalskills
• Strongtroubleshootingandproblem-solvingskills
• Abilitytolearnfastandkeepabreastofnew technologies.
• Technicalandnon-technicalcommunicationskills
• ProjectManagementandVendorManagementSkills

What We Offer:

Aldar Education is a family of world-class, child-centered, and innovative schools based in the UAE. We educate students across our group of owned and managed schools and as we grow, so does our need for highly skilled, inspirational, and dedicated school and educational leaders. We offer an attractive remuneration package including a range of benefits. Our future-focused learning model includes both students and staff, so we place a special emphasis on professional development, coaching, and training.

Successful candidates will have access to a wide network of professionals and opportunities to both lead and contribute to training others as well as developing themselves.

This job description is not all-inclusive. Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are dedicated to our national development strategy and encourage UAE Nationals in their application to our company.

Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance