Network Architecture Lead

VanRath; Belfast; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

Our client is seeking a strategic leader to drive the design, evolution, and performance of their global network systems. This leadership role blends hands-on technical vision with team oversight, focusing on building a resilient, high-performing, and future-ready network infrastructure across a complex, fast-paced environment.

You'll be instrumental in aligning network capabilities with business needs, ensuring security, stability, and seamless scalability as the business grows.

Key Areas of Impact:

Strategic Leadership & Team Oversight

• Lead and inspire a team of network specialists and engineers responsible for both architecture and day-to-day operations.
• Provide mentorship and structured growth opportunities, ensuring the team stays technically sharp and aligned with business objectives.
• Serve as the final escalation point for advanced technical challenges and operational issues.

Network Strategy, Design & Implementation

• Shape and deliver long-term network strategy across cloud and on-prem environments.
• Architect resilient, scalable infrastructure for enterprise-wide connectivity covering data centres, branch offices, and hybrid cloud environments.
• Build and maintain robust standards around network configuration, access control, and traffic management.
• Guide advanced simulations and modelling to support performance analysis, system stress-testing, and predictive planning.
• Drive adoption of cloud networking best practices using platforms such as Azure/AWS and tools like Terraform for automated provisioning.

Operations & Governance

• Ensure reliable operation of the enterprise network, maintaining strong performance, uptime, and responsiveness across all services.
• Lead initiatives around uptime monitoring, diagnostics, and proactive risk mitigation.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with cybersecurity and compliance teams to embed security-first network principles.
• Own network-related inputs to business continuity and disaster recovery protocols.

Delivery Management

• Act as the key liaison for third-party network vendors and service providers, ensuring delivery excellence, SLA adherence, and value-driven relationships.
• Manage the rollout of infrastructure projects, coordinating delivery milestones, stakeholder updates, and compliance documentation.

Knowledge Sharing & Enablement

• Oversee internal documentation processes, from playbooks to policies to architectural maps.
• Deliver internal workshops and stakeholder briefings to ensure wider teams are aligned with network principles and change impacts.

What Our Client is Looking For:
Professional Experience

• Strong background in enterprise-scale network leadership, ideally across global or regulated industries.
• Demonstrated experience managing diverse technical teams within high-demand environments.
• Track record in designing, scaling, and operating secure networks within both on-prem and hybrid cloud infrastructures.

Certifications & Frameworks

• Recognised certifications such as Cisco CCNP, CCIE, or CCDP are highly desirable (equivalent experience will be considered).
• Exposure to network security frameworks and governance models (ISO 27001, NIST, etc.).

Technical Skills

• Deep hands-on understanding of routing, switching, firewalls, VoIP, and load balancing technologies.
• Confident working with network automation and infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation).
• Skilled at identifying root causes of performance issues and engineering practical, scalable solutions.
• Strong grasp of compliance requirements and risk-mitigation strategies in large-scale IT environments.

Soft Skills

• Excellent communicator, with the ability to translate technical complexity into business language.
• A problem-solver with a structured approach, balanced by creativity and commercial awareness.
• Calm under pressure, with a collaborative mindset and passion for continuous improvement.