E2E Telco Cloud Architect

Virgin Media O2; Manchester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading telecommunications provider in Manchester is seeking an experienced E2E Telco Cloud Architect. The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in cloud-native infrastructure and have exceptional leadership abilities to guide teams through cloud transformation. This opportunity offers a comprehensive benefits package aimed at fostering an inclusive and empowering workplace culture.

Benefits

Comprehensive reward package

Flexible working arrangements

Support for personal development

Qualifications

• Strong experience in Telco, Cloud Infrastructure, or Network Engineering.
• Deep knowledge of cloud-native platforms, virtualization, and infrastructure-as-code.
• Exceptional leadership skills and experience in guiding technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Act as a recognized authority in private cloud architecture.
• Develop architecture standards, principles, and reusable patterns.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and represent the company in cloud-native telecom evolution.

Skills

Telco cloud architecture

Cloud-native platforms

DevOps methodologies

GitOps practices

Kubernetes

Tools

GitLab

Terraform

Ansible

Redhat Openshift

Job description

We have a great new role for an E2E Telco Cloud Architect to serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for private cloud architecture across Virgin Media O2’s telecom infrastructure. This role combines Specialist Professional expertise in T elco Cloud architecture with Senior Management leadership , ensuring alignment with business strategy, guiding future-state infrastructure blueprints, and driving architectural innovation.

Key responsibilities & accountabilities

Specialist Technical Focus :

• Act as a recognized authority in private cloud architecture and telco cloud-native infrastructure.
• Maintain and evolve current and future-state architecture blueprints , ensuring consistency and efficiency.
• Develop architecture standards, principles, and reusable patterns for telecom cloud services.
• Solve complex cloud architecture challenges using deep technical expertise .
• Influence vendor roadmaps and strategy , ensuring solutions align with organizational needs.

Senior Management Responsibilities :

• Lead pivotal initiatives to optimize cloud architecture efficiency and scalability.
• Provide architectural leadership across engineering teams.
• Establish standards for best practices, guidelines, and architectural principles .
• Drive continuous improvement and ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Manage stakeholder engagement , balancing innovation with operational needs.
• Represent Virgin Media O2 as a leader with vision in cloud-native telecom evolution, engaging with industry partners.

Who we are

The UK’s fastest broadband network. The nation’s best-loved mobile brand. And, one of the UK's biggest companies too. We put our customers first, making life simpler, smoother, and more joyful. With big ambitions and a brilliant team, we’re building a more connected future for everyone.

Our ways of working

We’re a flexible-first organisation, because we know people do their best work when they have choice and clarity. To support meaningful collaboration, we ask everyone to spend at least eight days each month connecting in person.

That doesn’t just mean time in the office, it could be team meetings, offsites, volunteering days, cross-functional projects, or away days - anywhere meaningful collaboration happens. What matters is making those moments purposeful, so when we come together, it really counts.

Accessible, inclusive and equitable for all

Virgin Media O2 is an equal opportunities employer and we're working hard to remove bias and barriers for our people and candidates. So, we build equity and inclusion into everything we do, from the policies we craft to the relationships we shape. We support and encourage you to be your authentic self throughout your application journey with us.

The must haves

• Strong experience in Telco, Cloud Infrastructure, or Network Engineering .
• Deep knowledge of cloud-native platforms, virtualization, and infrastructure-as-code.
• Expertise in GitOps practices (devops / devsecops / github), Kubernetes (k8s), Helm charts, and CI / CD pipelines (GitLab).
• Exceptional leadership skills , guiding technical teams through cloud adoption and transformation.
• Strong ability to develop strategic plans and drive architectural innovation.
• Proven stakeholder management and vendor collaboration experience.

The other stuff we are looking for

• Strong expertise in automation frameworks, scripting (Python, Terraform, Ansible), and DevOps methodologies .
• Redhat Openshift

What's in it for you

Our goal is to celebrate our people, their lives and everything in-between. We aim to create a culture that empowers everyone to bring the best versions of themselves to work each and every day. We believe the most inclusive and diverse culture makes for a better business and a brighter world.

Working at Virgin Media O2, you get a bumper reward package bursting with benefits, and loads of extras you can add if you’d like to. These are designed to support both you and your loved ones, making sure that you’re covered no matter what life throws your way.