ICT Network Lead - Bicester & Otterbourne

National health service; City Of London; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme

Flexible working

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an ICT Network Lead to drive the operational support, maintenance and strategic development of the Trust's multi-site network infrastructure. You will lead design, implementation and service improvement while ensuring availability, performance and security of critical systems.

You will work with cyber-security, telecoms and infrastructure teams, report to the Network and Infrastructure Manager, and act as escalation for complex

Qualifications

• Post Graduate Degree in IT, Networking, or equivalent experience.
• ITIL Foundation certification (or equivalent knowledge).
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead on network design, implementation, and optimisation across multi-site environment.
• Provide specialist expertise across on-premises and cloud networking technologies.
• Coordinate resolutions of complex incidents and maintain security and performance of critical systems.

Skills

TCP/IP networking

Analytical thinking

Incident management

Communication skills

Autonomous decision making

Education

Post Graduate Degree in IT/Networking

Tools

LAN/WAN management

Firewall administration

Cloud networking

Job description

professional who enjoys combining hands-on technical leadership with strategic thinking and service improvement.

Main duties of the job

As ICT Network Lead, you will be responsible for the operational support, maintenance and strategic development of the Trust's network infrastructure across a complex multi-site environment. You will provide specialist expertise across both on-premises and cloud networking technologies, ensuring the availability, performance and security of business-critical systems. You will work closely with all aspects of the wider digital team, including but not limited to cyber-security, telecoms and infrastructure teams. Working within the Digital Network & Infrastructure team and reporting to the Network and Infrastructure Manager, you will lead on network design, implementation, optimisation and service improvement initiatives while acting as an escalation point for complex technical issues. You will ensure that the Trust networking provisions are operating effectively, co-ordinate resolutions, minimise impact upon operations and ensure the organisation has a fully documented functional design suite.

About us

At South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS), every role contributes to helping people when they need us most. Whether delivering frontline care, supporting our Emergency Operations Centres, or working in corporate and support services, your work makes a meaningful difference every day. Our values of Caring, Professional and Honest guide everything we do. We care for our patients, communities and each other, act professionally with pride and a commitment to excellence, and work honestly, building trust through openness, integrity and respect. We offer a range of learning and development opportunities, wellbeing support, flexible working where service needs allow, membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, and a variety of staff benefits. We also work in partnership with our recognised trade unions, Unison, Unite GMB and RCN, which provide members with workplace support, representation and advice. SCAS is proud to be an inclusive employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We strive to create a workplace where everyone feels they belong, are valued for who they are, and have opportunities to grow and succeed. Join SCAS and help us deliver exceptional care when it matters most.

Details

Date posted 03 November 2026

Pay scheme

Band Band 7 Salary 49,387 to 56,515 a year

Agenda for changeBandBand 7Salary

Job responsibilities

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a motivated and experienced network professional with a passion for delivering reliable digital services in a 24/7 operational environment. The individual should possess a flexible approach to work, may be required to undertake out of hours working when situations dictate, and will participate in on-call technical support. Join SCAS and help build the digital foundations that enable exceptional patient care every day.

Person Specification

• Essential
• Post Graduate Degree in IT, Networking, or equivalent experience
• ITIL Foundation certification (or equivalent knowledge)
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Desirable
• PRINCE2 Foundation

Knowledge

• Essential
• Extensive experience in network/infrastructure support (3rd line level)
• Experience working in a complex, multi-site organisation
• Proven experience in network design, implementation, and support
• Experience managing enterprise network technologies (LAN/WAN, firewalls, routing)
• Desirable
• NHS or public sector experience

Skills

• Essential
• Advanced technical knowledge of networking (TCP/IP, OSI model, LAN/WAN)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage complex incidents and competing priorities
• Excellent communication skills, including explaining technical issues to non-technical users
• Ability to work autonomously and make complex decisions

Person Specification

• Qualifications
• Essential
• Post Graduate Degree in IT, Networking, or equivalent experience
• ITIL Foundation certification (or equivalent knowledge)
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Desirable
• PRINCE2 Foundation

Knowledge

• Essential
• Extensive experience in network/infrastructure support (3rd line level)
• Experience working in a complex, multi-site organisation
• Proven experience in network design, implementation, and support
• Experience managing enterprise network technologies (LAN/WAN, firewalls, routing)
• Desirable
• NHS or public sector experience

Skills

• Essential
• Advanced technical knowledge of networking (TCP/IP, OSI model, LAN/WAN)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage complex incidents and competing priorities
• Excellent communication skills, including explaining technical issues to non-technical users
• Ability to work autonomously and make complex decisions

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Address SCAS wide Bicester OX26 6HR United Kingdom