Communications Architect

TN United Kingdom; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food and drink sector is seeking a Communications Architect to enhance their network infrastructure. This role involves managing communication mechanisms, overseeing network security, and collaborating with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in Aruba LAN, SD-WAN, and other networking technologies, ensuring seamless communication across all sites.

Benefits

Cash car allowance

25 days annual leave plus birthday off

14.5% pension (5% employee, 9.5% employer)

Hybrid and flexible working

Buy additional holiday days

Family-friendly policies

Life assurance

Private medical insurance

Critical illness cover

Learning and development opportunities

Company performance-based incentive scheme

Qualifications

• Experience with Aruba LAN technologies in various environments.
• Expertise in SD-WAN and wireless LAN technologies.
• Proficient in telephony technologies and mobile device management.

Responsibilities

• Manage network and communication mechanisms for efficient operations.
• Oversee network security and manage communication contracts.
• Provide incident reports and root cause analysis for outages.

Skills

Aruba LAN technologies

SD-WAN technologies

Wireless LAN technologies

Telephony technologies

Mobile device management

Supplier management

Secure networking principles

Microsoft Windows Server networking

Firewall management

VMware ESX networking

Job description

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Vacancy Name

Communications Architect

Employment Type

Permanent

Country

United Kingdom

Location

Liverpool

Business Area

Finance

Workplace Type

Hybrid

About Princes

The Princes Group has over 7,000 employees with offices and production sites in the UK, Netherlands, Italy, Poland, France, and Mauritius. Princes manufactures different food and drink products responsibly sourced and enjoyed by consumers every day. None of this would be possible without striving to be an employer of choice, where our colleagues are proud to represent our business.

Role Description

• Assume key responsibility for evaluating, recommending, implementing, and managing network and communication mechanisms to ensure efficient communication within the Princes Group and with business partners, with guidance from and feedback to the Head of IT Service Delivery.
• Assist in setting key IT strategies in conjunction with the Head of IT Service Delivery and Senior Management.
• Manage escalated incidents from the Business Systems Support team, analyze problems, and formulate practical resolutions to ensure IT service security and availability.
• Ensure that IT communications infrastructure elements are managed to comply with Princes’ IT General Controls.
• Distribute knowledge among support team colleagues.

Dimensions

The Communications Architect is responsible for delivering the network infrastructure used daily by all employees and IT services within the organization. This interconnected network is critical to the business's success. The scope includes:

• Global users
• Royal Liver Building head office
• 14 UK sites, 10 manufacturing sites, 3 warehouses, and 1 data center
• 3 European sites, 2 manufacturing sites, and 1 office
• 2 Mauritius manufacturing sites
• Servers

Internal contacts include members at all levels, from junior staff to Chief Executives. External contacts involve technology partners for equipment, services, support, contract negotiations, issue resolution, and strategic planning.

Principal Responsibilities

• Develop and manage efficient communication mechanisms internally and externally.
• Evaluate, transition, and manage relationships with communication partners.
• Manage communication contracts and billing.
• Oversee network security in collaboration with Security Architect and Head of IT Service Delivery.
• Manage communication projects ensuring timely and within-budget delivery.
• Provide capacity and usage reports to inform future investments.
• Stay updated on emerging communication technologies and recommend strategies.
• Contribute to business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
• Provide incident reports and root cause analysis for outages, including preventative measures.
• Manage changes following company policies for timely delivery.
• Support and administer the network to ensure constant application access.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation to support systems.
• Assist in troubleshooting IT core infrastructure, including firewalls and network segmentation.

Role Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Experience with Aruba LAN technologies, both in-office and production environments.
• Network Access Control system development and management.
• SD-WAN technologies expertise.
• Wireless LAN technologies expertise.
• Telephony technologies expertise.
• Mobile device management.
• Supplier management skills.
• Understanding of secure networking principles.
• Remote access and internet technologies.
• Microsoft Windows Server networking.
• Networking principles like DNS, DHCP.
• Firewall management with Fortinet.
• VMware ESX networking.

Additionally, proficiency in billing practices, business continuity, disaster recovery, report writing, problem-solving, project management, attention to detail, ITIL principles, and excellent communication skills are required.

Benefits

• Cash car allowance
• 25 days annual leave plus birthday off
• 14.5% pension (5% employee, 9.5% employer)
• Hybrid and flexible working (4 days in office, 1 WFH)
• Buy additional holiday days
• Family-friendly policies
• Life assurance
• Private medical insurance
• Critical illness cover
• Learning and development opportunities
• Company performance-based incentive scheme

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