Technical Operations Director

National Physical Laboratory; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Physical Laboratory is seeking a Technical Operations Manager to lead the design and development of enterprise architectures within high-security telecommunications environments. The successful candidate will work with technical teams, ensuring systems are secure and efficient while supporting the growth of the UK's telecom infrastructure. Responsibilities include managing infrastructure, coaching high-performing teams, and promoting continuous improvement. Ideal candidates should possess extensive experience in architecture design, network security, and effective people management.

Benefits

Flexible working options depending on role

Potential for hybrid work

Qualifications

• Experience in architecture design, virtualization, IP networks, and security.
• Broad understanding of enterprise architectures in high-security environments.
• Proven coaching and people management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop enterprise architecture roadmap for research and testing outputs.
• Manage infrastructure lifecycle and routine maintenance.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and develop business cases.

Skills

Enterprise architecture understanding

Network security

Testing

Business planning

Disaster recovery

Coaching

Process improvement

Job description

UK Telecosms Lab (UKTL)

UKTL is building leading edge Telecoms testing facilities to keep our telecommunications networks safe, accelerate the roll-out of new technologies, and grow our world leading telecoms sector to maintain resiliency and security.

Successful candidates will join a state-of-the-art facility and support testing and research on the latest technologies and innovations. You will work alongside infrastructure and cybersecurity professionals to ensure the UK’s telecoms infrastructure grows in a resilient and secure manner, underpinning growth in other industry sectors.

UKTL interacts with standards bodies, academia, government departments, communications service providers, and equipment vendors.

Applicants must be able to commute to Birmingham with potential for hybrid work and be eligible for security clearance.

We offer flexible working options depending on the role and business needs.

Role Overview

This role, internally called Technical Operations Manager, involves working across IT and Telecom architectures, documenting and planning infrastructure, and ensuring systems are secure and efficient. You will collaborate with technical teams to design, deliver, and evolve architectures, and lead a high-performing team with clear objectives.

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop an enterprise architecture roadmap focusing on maximizing research and testing outputs.
2. Simplify architecture while maintaining flexibility and investment efficiency.
3. Present technology evolution plans with clear business cases.
4. Document current and future architectures with detailed designs.
5. Manage infrastructure lifecycle, routine maintenance, and patching.
6. Evaluate emerging technologies and develop business cases for their adoption.
7. Coach and develop teams, set objectives, and manage performance.
8. Ensure high security standards and maintain business continuity and disaster recovery plans.
9. Promote continuous improvement and communicate benefits to stakeholders.
10. Collaborate with NPL to leverage synergies and shared services.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Broad understanding of enterprise architectures in high-security environments.
• Knowledge of 4G, 5G, and mobile/fixed networks (desirable).
• Experience in architecture design, virtualization, IP networks, and security.
• Experience in testing, business planning, disaster recovery, and process improvement.
• Proven coaching and people management skills.

Note: Applications are reviewed continuously. Applicants must obtain SC security clearance.