Technical Operations Transformation Director

National Physical Laboratory; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading scientific research organization is seeking a Technical Operations Transformation Director to lead the transformation of technical build and operational performance. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of network operations and security, with a proven track record of fostering collaboration and driving excellence. This role offers full-time, part-time, or flexible options depending on business needs.

Benefits

Flexible work options

Great work-life balance

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of running a complex network environment.
• Experience in IT or telecommunications, software, or Cyber Security.
• Familiarity with testing processes and quality assurance.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical build and operational performance transformation.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency and flexibility.
• Document current and future architectures.

Skills

Network operation management

Automation and integration

Process optimization

Cybersecurity

Coaching and people management

Tools

Virtualisation

Containerisation

IP network design

Firewalls

Job description

About the Role

As our Technical Operations Transformation Director, you’ll be at the heart of heart of UKTL's network build and operate transformation to support our core mission of security and resilience across the Uk's critical national telecommunication infrastructure.

This is a unique opportunity to evolve our representative tier 1 mobile operator test network into a cutting edge scalable automated environment to support our growth in testing of emerging telecommunication technology.

You’ll bring clarity to complexity, ensuring our infrastructure is scalable, secure, and future-ready, You'll introduce lightweight new processes and tolling to evolve us from a new start up into a mature productive organistion.

You’ll work end-to-end across teams, fostering collaboration and driving excellence in delivery.

Your curiosity and adaptability will be key as you explore emerging technologies and guide your teams to stay ahead of the curve. You’ll be instrumental in shaping a unified, high-performing technical function that supports cutting-edge research and testing.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Transformation: You will lead the transformation of our technical build and operational performance by leveraging existing expertise in network operations, process optimization, automation, and integration across network software, IT infrastructure, and cyber security domains
• Simplifying with Purpose: You’ll identify opportunities to streamline systems while ensuring flexibility and efficiency.
• Driving Business Value: You’ll present technology evolution plans with clear business benefits and robust cases for change.
• Planning for the Future: You’ll document current and future architectures, setting clear short, medium, and long-term goals.
• Building Resilience: You’ll ensure robust environment management, maintenance, patching, and end-of-life infrastructure planning.
• Innovating Responsibly: You’ll evaluate new technologies and make informed decisions about their adoption.
• Leading with Vision: You will leverage the diverse expertise within the team to cultivate multidisciplinary talent, guiding individuals through a transformative journey. By shaping a culture of excellence and accountability, you’ll drive the evolution of infrastructure, networking, and telecom functions—positioning the team for long-term success and innovation.
• Securing by Design: You’ll reinforce high security standards and ensure disaster recovery and business continuity plans are in place.
• Collaborating Across NPL: You’ll identify synergies and shared services to enhance efficiency and integration.

Successful Applicants must be able to commute to the UKTL offices in Birmingham at least twice a week

We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for full time, part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business demands permit. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in.

What You’ll Bring

• A deep understanding of running a network operation center or a highly complex network test environment.
• Experience across a commination of IT or telecommunications, software or Cyber Security.
• Expertise in virtualisation, containerisation, IP network design, switching fabrics, and firewalls.
• A structured approach to documenting “as is” and “to be” architectures and policy's and procedures.
• Familiarity with testing processes and quality assurance.
• Proven experience in business planning and disaster recovery.
• A track record of continuous improvement and process optimisation.
• Strong coaching and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and address performance effectively.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in this specific area means that nationality, residency and security requirements are more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance. However, to work in this role within UKTL, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance.

Internally this role will be called Technical Operations Manager