Manager - Network & Security

Aldar Education; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Aldar Education is seeking a Manager - Network & Security in Abu Dhabi to lead the design, deployment and protection of the LAN/WAN and security architecture across the group’s schools. You will set organizational standards, manage DR planning, supervise engineers and vendors, and coordinate with IT leadership to ensure reliable connectivity and security.

The role requires 12+ years in IT networking, strong certifications, and the ability to guide complex projects in a fast-paced education

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics & Communication or Computer Engineering.
• CCNA, CCNP, CCNA Security, and MCSE certifications.
• Brand certifications (Aruba, Cisco) are a plus.
• 12+ years of IT networking experience including project management.
• Strong knowledge of network protocols and security standards.
• Hands-on experience with network hardware and virtualization (VMware).

Responsibilities

• Lead POCs and assessments for upgrades and infra replacements.
• Act as SME for network and security technologies for management guidance.
• Manage system integrators and vendors to deliver projects.
• Develop wireless performance data and reports.
• Monitor network/security landscape and enforce AE standards.
• Oversee IT Disaster Recovery assets and plans.
• Guide tendering documents and technical assessments.
• Coordinate security issues with IT and external consultants.
• Conduct security audits and plan VAPT activities.
• Supervise integration of new schools and expansions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Troubleshooting

Learning agility

Communication skills

Project management

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics & Communication or Computer Engineering

CCNA

CCNP

CCNA Security

MCSE

Aruba/Cisco brand certifications

Tools

Aruba

Cisco

Juniper

Fortigate

Palo Alto

VMware vSphere

SolarWinds

PRTG

Windows Server

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 including Rugby School, King’s College Wimbledon, and Cranleigh. The Group now serves over 38,000 students through 5,000 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 office connectivity
• Establishes organizational wide standards for products, platforms, appliance-based solutions related to network and communication technologies / Security technologies that are adopted
• Maintain and ensure network and security infrastructure is aligned as per 5 years technology plan/roadmaps/visions set by Group Head of IT.
• Develop network and security policy and maintain ongoing assessment of security environment and recommend solutions for safeguarding the internal and external networks
• Manage and ensure that IT Disaster Recovery solutions are updated, tested and operated correctly during disasters, ensuring business continuity.

Responsibilities

Main Duties

• Perform POC’s and assessment for different tech projects such as upgrades, conversions, infrastructure replacements and improvements.
• Be the subject matter expert in all network & security technologies and provide direction and guidance to IT management and assist in their decision making.
• Manage and supervise system integrators and principal manufacturers to design, implement, and deliver network and security projects.
• Develop wireless performance data, metrics, algorithms, and reports to measure and track client, attendee, and staff wireless experiences against service standards.
• Monitor overall network and security landscape ensuring all are aligned as per set AE standard.
• Establish practices and procedures to maintain network and security infrastructure.
• Ownership of the complete IT Disaster Recovery assets and plan.
• Direct and utilize knowledge on best practices in area related to network and security infrastructure.
• Manage the requirement gathering and RFP creation to deliver network and security technologies that meet business needs.
• Analyze existing technology landscape and research latest tech to propose new solutions or technology upgrades to improve the performance and security.
• Manage and supervise network and security analysts/engineers/technicians to provide leadership and direction.
• Resolve escalated L2 & L3 technical issues and coordinate with internal and external parties until closure.
• Establish firewall and security policies and configuration standards across AE business streams.

Specific Duties

• Design, implement, operate, maintain and monitor Enterprise Network (Aruba, Juniper, Cisco), IP Telephony (Cisco Unity) and Enterprise Network Security infrastructure (Fortigate, Palo Alto, Juniper).
• Monitor MPLS, IOE, and other data communication links and provide periodic reports.
• Manage ISP’s, vendors and SI’s.
• Act as the link between Aldar Properties and Aldar Education for all Network & Security matters.
• Maintain network standardization and network equipment specifications
• Manage network assets (i.e. network hardware and software, monitoring tools).
• Ensure network changes and supports are recorded in ITSM and following the corporate SLAs where applicable.
• Responsible for relevant Change Management processes related to Network and Security
• Maintain support contracts for network infrastructure devices.
• Generate various performance reports, analyze those reports and make a recommendation to improve the network performance.
• Evaluate new network hardware and network solutions. Work with vendor/system integrators and principal manufacturer for new solutions design.
• Ensure that all Network & Security technologies, policies and procedures across Aldar Education business streams are up to date, based on best practice and of the highest standards.
• Guide the preparation of tendering documents (RFP, BoQ’s, SoW’s) and perform the technical assessment.
• Coordinate security issues with IT Team and external security consultants.
• Conducts system security audits as per assigned schedule to detect weaknesses in the security system as per Aldar Education quality standards and procedures.
• Plan and guide VAPT activities across the group.
• Supervise the technical integration of new schools and expansion projects, providing guidance to engineers and ensuring all standards and requirements are met.
• Prepares routine & special reports to highlight IT security issues/concerns/criticalities.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics & Communication or Computer Engineering
• Network Certification: CCNA, preferably CCNP
• CCNA Security or equivalent
• MSCE
• Brand specific certifications are a plus, such as Aruba and Cisco

Minimum Experience

• 12+ Years of experience in IT networking including administration and project management of IT infrastructure.

Job Specific Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of Network Protocols, network components, network operating systems and Security Standards.
• Hands-on Knowledge of procedures used for installation, modification, maintenance and repair of IT network hardware appliance, virtual appliance, and software.
• Strong knowledge of below network technologies,
  • TCP/IP and IP Subnetting
  • Structure cabling / Passive Networking
  • SDWAN Solutions & Design Primciples
  • Switching – Juniper, Cisco
  • Routing – Juniper, Cisco
  • Wireless – Aruba, Cisco
  • IP Telephony – Cisco IP Telephony
  • NAC Solution - Aruba
  • Perimeter and Core Firewall – Juniper SRX, Palo Alto, Fortigate.
  • Central network management and monitoring tools – Juniper STRM, Panorama,
  • VPN – Site-to-Site IPSec VPN, Client-based and Client-less SSL/IPSec VPN
  • DMZ networking
  • Web Application Firewall – On-premise and Cloud-based WAF
  • Anti-Virus Administration,
  • Management and Monitoring Tool – SolarWinds, PRTG
  • Virtualization and DR Solution – VMWare vSphere and SRM
  • SAN Storage – DellEMC, Pure Storage
  • OS – Windows Server and Windows 10

Skills

• Strong analytical skills
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Ability to learn fast and keep abreast of new technologies.
• Technical and non-technical communication skills
• Project Management and Vendor Management Skills

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.