Head of Network Optimization - Lisbon based

1global; Lisboa; Híbrido; EUR 120 000 - 180 000; Tempo integral

Resumo da oferta

1GLOBAL is seeking a Head of Network Optimization to establish and lead a new function reporting to the CTO. The role drives performance, reliability, and continuous improvement across our mobile network and services across multiple markets.

You will define monitoring strategies, KPIs, and processes to detect issues early, guide incident responses, and implement long-term corrective actions to strengthen service quality at scale.

Qualificações

• Strong understanding of mobile network architectures across 2G/3G/4G/5G.
• Solid MVNO knowledge including roaming environments and regulatory aspects.
• Experience with LTE, 5G, IMS, VoLTE, VoWiFi.

Responsabilidades

• Monitor and report network KPIs to identify bottlenecks and improve service quality.
• Lead the resolution of complex incidents and major service outages across core network domains.
• Contribute to solution architecture from an operational perspective focusing on reliability and maintainability.
• Manage, coach, and develop the Network Optimization team to foster continuous improvement.
• Own the Root Cause Analysis process and ensure corrective/preventive actions are tracked and completed.
• Define, implement and improve processes related to vendor management and operational governance.
• Develop and maintain procedures, recovery plans, and best practices for network/service restoration.
• Oversee deployment and integration of new core network elements and software upgrades.
• Execute traffic management to protect performance during planned/unplanned events.
• Maintain an on-call 24/7 rota covering the defined network scope.

Conhecimentos

Mobile networks

MVNO architectures

Network performance

Cloud-native

Automation

Formação académica

Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Engineering or related field

Descrição da oferta de emprego

Head of Network Optimization - Lisbon based

Lisbon, Portugal

Porto, Portugal

Full-time

1GLOBAL is a profitable, fast-growing business. With full-year revenues in 2025 exceeding US$200 million and profits of over US$25 million, we generate strong cash flows to fund our growth allowing us to continuously invest in infrastructure, platform innovation, and global expansion. In 2026 also the parent of the Lidl Group acquired a 10% interest in 1GLOBAL as part of a deal for Lidl to offer globally to its 180 million consumers communication services. Recent years have marked a defining phase in 1GLOBAL’s journey, with major enterprise and mass-consumer client wins accelerating its evolution into a global mobile connectivity powerhouse, purpose-built to enable consumer brands to enter and succeed with their own aspirations to offer telecommunications services to their clients.

Founded in 2022 by experienced technology entrepreneurs, Hakan Koç and Pyrros Koussios, 1GLOBAL has rapidly emerged as a European technology leader shaping the future of global telecommunications. It operates as a fully regulated Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in 15 countries and as a regulated telecom operator in an additional 28 markets. Headquartered in the Netherlands, with world-class R&D hubs in Lisbon, Berlin, and São Paulo, its team of close to 550 experts across 16 countries is united by a single ambition: to redefine global mobile connectivity through technology, scale, and execution excellence.

About the Ideal Candidate

As 1GLOBAL continues to expand its global customer base and service portfolio, ensuring the performance, reliability, and scalability of our mobile network becomes increasingly critical. The Head of Network Optimization will establish and lead a new function within the Network organization, reporting directly to the CTO Networks, with responsibility for driving operational excellence, service assurance, and continuous improvement across our network and services.

A primary focus of this role is the proactive detection, investigation, and resolution of network and service issues before they impact customers. The Head of Network Optimization will define and implement the monitoring strategy, performance frameworks, and operational processes required to identify service degradation, performance bottlenecks, and emerging risks at the earliest possible stage. By leveraging network data, KPIs, and operational insights, the team will drive rapid incident response, effective root cause analysis, and long-term corrective actions to continuously improve service reliability and customer experience.

The role will establish and lead a dedicated Network Optimization team responsible for overseeing network changes, defining service and network KPIs, developing recovery and resilience mechanisms, and ensuring operational readiness across all network domains. Beyond issue resolution, the function will use operational learnings to identify structural improvements in network architecture, platform design, and service flows, reducing operational risk and strengthening network performance at scale.

Working closely with Network Engineering, Operations, Product, Software Engineering, Legal & Regulatory, and commercial teams, the Head of Network Optimization will serve as the focal point for service performance and reliability, ensuring that operational excellence, rapid problem resolution, and continuous optimization remain central to 1GLOBAL's growth strategy.

About the Role

• Monitor, analyze, and report on network performance metrics, KPIs, and trends to identify bottlenecks, proactively address issues, and continuously improve service quality and customer experience.
• Lead the resolution of complex network incidents and major service outages across multiple core network domains, ensuring timely restoration and minimal customer impact.
• Contribute to solution architecture and design from an operational perspective, ensuring reliability, resilience, maintainability, and service quality are embedded from the outset.
• Manage, coach, and develop the Network Optimization team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in issue detection, troubleshooting, mitigation, and resolution.
• Own and govern the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) process, ensuring corrective and preventive actions are assigned, tracked, and completed to improve network and service reliability.
• Define, implement, and continuously improve processes related to vendor management, service management, and operational governance.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive library of operational procedures, recovery plans, and best practices to support efficient network and service restoration.
• Oversee the deployment, integration, and operational acceptance of new core network elements, features, and software upgrades.
• Execute traffic management and network optimization activities to protect service performance, network stability, and customer experience during planned and unplanned events.
• Ensure all Network Optimization activities are delivered on time, within agreed quality standards, and in alignment with organizational objectives and operational priorities.
• Maintain an on-call 24/7 rota covering the network defined scope

Requirements

About You

Must Have

• Strong understanding of mobile network architectures and technologies across 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, and 5G domains.
• Proven experience with MVNO architectures and the broader MVNO ecosystem, including a solid understanding of roaming environments and their technical, commercial, and regulatory aspects.
• Strong knowledge of networking principles, protocols, and security concepts.
• Hands-on experience with transport and signaling protocols, including SIGTRAN, Diameter, SCTP, and GTP.
• Hands-on experience with telecom application protocols such as MAP, CAMEL, and SIP.
• Solid expertise in LTE, 5G, IMS, VoLTE, VoWiFi, and IP-based technologies and protocols.
• Experience with cloud-native solutions, virtualization technologies, and modern telecom infrastructure platforms.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret network metrics and KPIs and correlate them to network and service performance across multiple domains.
• Proven experience in troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and resolution of complex issues in mobile network environments.
• Familiarity with network monitoring, observability, and performance management tools used in mobile networks.
• Experience with automation, scripting, and data-driven operational improvement initiatives.
• Proactive and results-driven mindset, with the ability to anticipate potential issues and implement preventive actions before customer impact occurs.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in complex, multicultural, and geographically distributed environments.
• Strong sense of ownership and attention to detail, ensuring tasks are completed thoroughly and to a high standard.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, with a focus on the design, implementation, optimization, or operation of mobile core network services.
• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field; equivalent practical experience will also be considered.
• Professional proficiency in English is required; additional languages are considered an advantage.

Nice to Have

• Strong business acumen, with the ability to engage effectively with non-technical stakeholders and translate business needs into technical requirements.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience working in cross-functional environments involving product, engineering, operations, and commercial teams.
• Knowledge of ITIL, service management, or operational excellence frameworks.

Why 1GLOBAL?

• Growth Opportunities:Advance your career in one of the fastest growing telecommunications companies, expanding over 50% year-on-year under the leadership of successful tech entrepreneurs.
• Major Transaction Exposure:Be in the driver’s seat for transactions that will have an impact on the future telco industry.
• Work with a Talented Team:From the Board and the Founders to the Senior Management Team, you will collaborate daily with the most capable and renowned external advisors and constantly being exposed to talented and driven individuals.
• Dynamic Work Environment:Thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced workplace where innovation is encouraged, and every contribution counts.
• Professional Development:Work alongside industry experts to enhance your skills and