Networks Firewall Team Lead

CRA Group Limited; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority is seeking an experienced Interim Team Lead - Networks & Firewall to provide leadership and operational oversight for a specialist ICT Infrastructure team. This temporary role requires strong technical expertise in networking and firewall technologies while managing day-to-day operations of an 8-member specialist team. Key responsibilities include overseeing the deployment of new infrastructure and engaging with suppliers to ensure service continuity. Applicants should possess excellent stakeholder management skills and experience in a complex public sector environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading or managing ICT infrastructure or network teams.
• Strong technical background in enterprise networking and firewall technologies.
• Experience working with 3rd-line network, firewall and telephony environments.
• Demonstrable experience of workload prioritization and delivery management.
• Experience engaging with suppliers and managing third-party relationships.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience in a complex public sector or large enterprise environment is desirable.
• Ability to operate effectively in a hybrid working environment.

Responsibilities

• Act as an escalation point for 3rd-line network, firewall, and telephony issues.
• Prioritize workloads and manage BAU service delivery alongside project activity.
• Oversee and support the deployment of new network and firewall infrastructure.
• Engage with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure service continuity.
• Manage and review support, maintenance and BAU contracts.
• Ensure compliance with council ICT policies and security standards.
• Support operational reporting, delivery planning, and risk management.

Skills

Leadership in ICT infrastructure

Enterprise networking expertise

Firewall technologies knowledge

Stakeholder management

Workload prioritization

Communication skills

Job description

Overview

• Somerset Council is seeking an experienced Interim Team Lead - Networks & Firewall to provide leadership and operational oversight for a specialist ICT Infrastructure team.
• The role will backfill a permanent postholder and support the delivery of a major network and firewall infrastructure deployment across County Hall and associated sites.
• This is a temporary, project‑based role requiring strong technical knowledge combined with proven people and stakeholder management capability, provide day‑to‑day leadership and management of a small specialist team (approximately 8 staff).

Responsibilities

• Act as escalation point for 3rd‑line network, firewall and telephony issues.
• Prioritise workloads and manage BAU service delivery alongside project activity.
• Oversee and support the deployment of new network and firewall infrastructure.
• Engage with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure service continuity and delivery.
• Manage and review support, maintenance and BAU contracts and renewals.
• Ensure compliance with council ICT policies, security standards and procedures.
• Support operational reporting, delivery planning and risk management.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading or managing ICT infrastructure or network teams.
• Strong technical background in enterprise networking and firewall technologies.
• Experience working with 3rd‑line network, firewall and telephony environments.
• Demonstrable experience of workload prioritisation and delivery management.
• Experience engaging with suppliers and managing third‑party relationships.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience working in a complex public sector or large enterprise environment (desirable).
• Ability to operate effectively in a hybrid working environment.