Network Security Architect

Exceed Cyber limited; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 136,000 - 178,000; Part time

Job summary

Exceed Cyber limited is seeking an experienced Network Security Architect to support a major network transformation programme for a large international professional services organization. This strategic advisory role focuses on assessing current security environments, defining a vendor-neutral target architecture, and shaping future sourcing and procurement decisions.

The candidate will blend deep technical expertise with enterprise architecture and consulting capabilities, engaging senior

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as Network Security Architect in complex enterprise environments.
• Strong knowledge of WAN/LAN, firewalls, network segmentation, remote access, cloud connectivity and enterprise network security.
• Proven experience with Zero Trust, SASE/SSE and modern network security architecture.
• Experience developing high-level target architectures, transformation strategies and technical roadmaps.
• Understanding of multi-vendor managed network services, supplier transitions and sourcing models.
• Experience translating architecture into procurement specifications, supplier requirements or evaluation criteria.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, advisory and technical documentation skills.
• Desirable: financial services or regulated-sector experience, international transformation programmes, major managed-service re-procurement and relevant architecture certifications (SABSA, TOGAF, CISSP or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Assess existing enterprise network security environments, identifying architectural risks, dependencies and modernisation opportunities.
• Define high-level target network security architectures, principles and security guardrails.
• Evaluate Zero Trust, SASE/SSE, SD-WAN, segmentation, encryption and cloud connectivity strategies.
• Develop vendor-neutral architecture recommendations and contribute to transformation roadmaps.
• Assess managed service models, supplier dependencies and opportunities for service disaggregation.
• Translate architectural decisions into procurement-ready technical requirements and supplier evaluation criteria.
• Engage with senior stakeholders, technical teams and incumbent suppliers to validate architectural decisions.

Skills

Zero Trust

SASE/SSE

SD-WAN

Network security architecture

Enterprise architecture

Stakeholder engagement

Documentation

Education

SABSA

TOGAF

CISSP

Job description

Network Security Architect - Enterprise Transformation

Rate: Up to £850 per day | Inside IR35

Contract: 3 months initially with extension options likely

Location: Hybrid - 1-2 days per week onsite in London

Clearance: Not required

Start: Early-mid November

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Network Security Architect to support a major network transformation programme for a large international professional services organisation.

This is a strategic advisory and architecture role, focused on assessing existing network security environments, defining a vendor-neutral target architecture and supporting future sourcing and procurement decisions.

The successful candidate will combine deep technical network security expertise with strong enterprise architecture and consulting capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess existing enterprise network security environments, identifying architectural risks, dependencies and modernisation opportunities.
• Define high-level target network security architectures, principles and security guardrails.
• Evaluate Zero Trust, SASE/SSE, SD-WAN, segmentation, encryption and cloud connectivity strategies.
• Develop vendor-neutral architecture recommendations and contribute to transformation roadmaps.
• Assess managed service models, supplier dependencies and opportunities for service disaggregation.
• Translate architectural decisions into procurement-ready technical requirements and supplier evaluation criteria.
• Engage with senior stakeholders, technical teams and incumbent suppliers to validate architectural decisions.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience as a Network Security Architect within complex enterprise environments.
• Strong knowledge of WAN/LAN, firewalls, network segmentation, remote access, cloud connectivity and enterprise network security.
• Proven experience with Zero Trust, SASE/SSE and modern network security architecture.
• Experience developing high-level target architectures, transformation strategies and technical roadmaps.
• Understanding of multi-vendor managed network services, supplier transitions and sourcing models.
• Experience translating architecture into procurement specifications, supplier requirements or evaluation criteria.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, advisory and technical documentation skills.
• Highly desirable: Financial services or regulated-sector experience, international transformation programmes, major managed-service re-procurement and relevant architecture certifications (SABSA, TOGAF, CISSP or equivalent).