Strategic Network & Unified Communications Architect

University of Nottingham; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

30 days holiday (pro rata)

Staff development

Benefits programme

Job summary

The University of Nottingham invites applications for an Enterprise Architect (Network & Communications) to shape the global digital infrastructure. You will lead architecture across on-premises, cloud and hybrid environments, focusing on secure, resilient connectivity, SD-WAN, VoIP and cloud networking.

In a senior role, you’ll guide stakeholders, drive multi-year roadmaps, and govern major transformations.

Qualifications

• Experience in defining and governing network and unified communications architectures.
• Ability to develop target-state architectures and multi-year roadmaps for complex environments.
• Strong background in enterprise-scale design across on-premises, cloud and hybrid systems.

Responsibilities

• Define and govern network and unified communications architecture for the university.
• Lead target-state architecture development and multi-year roadmaps (SD-WAN, Zero Trust, VoIP).
• Advise senior stakeholders and influence technology investments.
• Assure architectural integrity of major transformation programmes.
• Collaborate with technical teams, suppliers and business stakeholders.
• Contribute to governance, lifecycle management and procurement of tech.

Skills

Enterprise network design

Unified communications

SD-WAN

Zero Trust networking

VoIP/telephony

Cloud networking

Routing & Switching

Hybrid cloud networking

Secure connectivity design

Stakeholder guidance

Education

TOGAF

CCDE

CCIE

CISSP

AWS/Azure Solutions Architect certifications

Job description

Salary

£59,966 to £73,686 per annum pro-rata depending on skills and experience.

Area

DTS Architecture

Location

Jubilee Campus

Salary

£59,966 to £73,686 per annum pro-rata depending on skills and experience.

Closing Date

Sunday 27 September 2026

Interview Date

To be confirmed

Reference

DTS597526

The University of Nottingham is seeking an experienced and strategic Enterprise Architect (Network & Communications) to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our global digital infrastructure.

As a senior technical leader within Digital and Technology Services, you will be responsible for defining and governing the network and unified communications architecture that underpins the university's teaching, research, and professional services activities. Working across a complex and diverse environment spanning on-premises, cloud, and hybrid technologies, you will ensure our network and communications capabilities remain secure, resilient, scalable, and aligned to institutional priorities.

You will lead the development of target-state architectures and multi-year technology roadmaps covering areas such as SD-WAN, Zero Trust networking, VoIP, telephony, mobile connectivity, and cloud networking. Acting as a trusted advisor and design authority, you will provide expert guidance to senior stakeholders, influence strategic technology investments, and assure the architectural integrity of major transformation programmes.

The role requires close collaboration with technical teams, suppliers, and business stakeholders to deliver modern, secure connectivity solutions that support a globally connected university community. You will also contribute to architecture governance, technology lifecycle management, procurement activities, and the continuous improvement of our architecture practices.

We are looking for a highly experienced Architect with a strong background in enterprise-scale network design and unified communications. You will possess expert knowledge of routing and switching technologies, hybrid cloud networking, and secure connectivity design. Experience of leading complex architectural initiatives within large organisations is essential.

You will be educated to degree level or possess equivalent professional experience, with relevant certifications such as TOGAF, CCDE, CCIE, CISSP, or AWS/Azure Solutions Architect highly desirable.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence the long-term digital strategy of a world-leading university and help deliver innovative, secure, and sustainable technology services that support education and research on a global scale.

We are also recruiting:

• Enterprise Architect (Data)
  
  

What the university offers:

• A friendly, diverse, and supportive working environment
• A hybrid working arrangement with the blended approach of home and office working
• Generous holiday entitlement of 30 days (or pro rata) plus standard bank holidays and five university closure days including closure between Christmas and New Year
• We are committed to staff development through the provision of training, continued support, and career progression opportunities
• You will have access to a range of benefits and rewards, including fitness and health facilities, staff discounts, travel schemes and many more. To find out more about what we can offer you, follow the link to our benefits website
  
  

Further information is available in the role profile. To apply for this vacancy please click ‘Apply Now’ to complete your details. This is a permanent role. Your working hours will be full-time (36.25 hours per week). If you are interested in part-time work (minimum 29 hours per week), we encourage you to apply. Please specify your preferred hours in your application. We may also consider job share arrangements.

Please contact Paul Couchman (Director of Technology), [e-mail] , if you have further questions about this role. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

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Further details:

• Job Description/Role Profile
  
  

Our university is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) employer . Increasing the diversity of our community is extremely important to us and we are committed to the aims of Disability Confident Scheme.

We are the first university to have achieved Athena Swan Gold Award .

To help you succeed, we published Candidate Guidance to provide support on the application and interview process.

Discover our benefits, visit Your Benefits website.

We welcome applications from UK, Europe and worldwide and aim to make your move to the UK as smooth as possible. Visit the Moving to Nottingham page for details.

Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration .

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