Head of Network Services

Atkins, a member of the SNC Lavalin Group, is currently seeking a Head of Network Services in the UK. The successful candidate will manage and coordinate resources across multiple countries to deliver initiatives related to the global network such as Software Defined Network, enterprise wireless infrastructure, IP voice and video technologies.  

They will provide leadership and direction to a network services teams and external partners while partnering with business leaders to identify opportunities, requirements and solutions to support business growth, change, and development with the introduction of new technology solutions. 

In coordination with the Enterprise Architecture function, the Head of Network Services will engender a coordinated, user-oriented service by defining and directing overall Network strategy for Atkins and ensure that the company maintains a future ready technology and product strategy that is scalable, customer-centric, and innovative.  

The successful candidate will have significant customer experience as well as collaborating with influential vendors, partners, and industry forums.  

Scope  

• In collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, define the Network vision and drive all aspects of the Network Strategy, ensuring that technology-based solutions and services are fully supported by the right architectures, systems and operating models. 
• Accountable for Global Atkins Network Services, Projects, Operations, Security and budget 
• Partner with the Heads of Unified Communication Services and Infrastructure to deliver the innovation, development and deployment of new Network and Unified Communication technology solutions providing strong leadership and senior level advocacy for their delivery.  
• Partner with the business to understand evolving work trends in design, engineering and modelling software which need to be supported by the underlying network infrastructure 
• Member of the Operational Leadership Team (OLT), the Head of Network Services will collaborate with OLT peers such as Regional Business Liaisons and Head of Infrastructure.  

Responsibilities  

• Accountable for the Network Services budget and capacity planning: Manage budget spends on suppliers of all network services. Oversee and authorise invoices from 3rd parties, contractors and additional spending.  

• Work jointly with Group IS procurement and Finance teams to challenge supplier costs, and make recommendations for contract changes, renegotiations, and supplier replacements to continually improve value to the business.  

• Manage network supplier relationships, to ensure that the supplier portfolio meets Atkins’s needs. Complete supplier service reviews, evaluating and selecting new suppliers, and make recommendations for strategic supplier decisions.  

• Drive contract and service agreement renegotiations, to ensure that suppliers always provide the best possible value to Atkins. 

• Conduct monthly roadmap reviews with relevant service managers and Senior Leadership team represents, communicating on project health status, milestones, issues and budget.  

• Work closely with Information Security, to ensure that Atkins networks are maintained in a highly secure state, and that operating procedures and methods are best suited to maintain security of the company networks. 

• Work with the Unified communications team to ensure that Atkins network systems fully support the needs of the company in telephony and other communications media. 

• Act as the subject matter expert on Network technology and services matters, challenging and coaching service managers, thriving to exceed Service Level Objectives and delivering outstanding value to the business. 

• Manage the Atkins networks and take accountability for the worldwide service.   

• Ensure all network service outages are restored in a timely manner and abide by the fix once principles  

• Guide the team in Program and Project Management to ensure delivery against Enterprise Network Services team annual strategic roadmap objectives.  

• Coach the team to see the "big picture" as well as the details and to be able to tie technical initiatives to corporate goals. 

• Work closely with the Network Solutions Architect to ensure that designs are properly thought through in a timely manner as necessary for project deliveries.  

• Assume technical lead role during outage management; monitor functions and coordinate inter-team corrective actions; assists team members with problem resolution and communicate with stakeholders. 

• Drive continual service improvement initiatives aimed at improving service quality, IT and business outcomes.  

Management  

• Overall management responsibilities for Network Service teams. 

• Lead and manage the Network Services function to ensure a coordinated, user orientated service 

• Manage vendor relationships by communicating effectively, holding vendors accountable, and cultivating a positive working relationship; 

• Ensure that technology standards and best practices are maintained across the organisation.  

• Work with Product Owners and stakeholders in other departments to ensure that Technology strategy and execution align.  

• Drive the adoption of right sourcing strategy, software defined everything and automation 

• Present and advocate relevant investment cases before the IS Investment Board 

• Manage the budget for Network Services including reporting and forecasting 

• Manage the team, carrying out recruitment activities,  whilst  providing appropriate training, mentoring and  challenging them to grow and develop in their roles.  

• Demonstrated management experience of matrix and multicultural teams over several continents. 

 
Qualifications, Skills and Experience Essential  

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience in Information Technology, Computer Science or Business Management  
• Experience of progressive experience in Information Technology management with focus on network disciplines, and voice/video services will have been gained over an extensive period 
• Significant experience in the following IT infrastructure concepts and solutions:  
• In depth knowledge of architectures, monitoring, security control, redundancy, and high availability for network, voice and wireless system  
• Strong experience of Software Defined Networking 
• Firewall and cloud firewall architecture knowledge (Checkpoint and Zscaler) 
• F5 load Balancers 
• Knowledge of WAN Optimisation (BGP, MPLS, VPN) 
• Highly available architectures, with resilient network design experience  
• Network performance management and capacity planning  
• Solid understanding of AWS and Azure virtual networking 
• Long experience of investigating and managing network related incidents 
• Good product management experience.  
• Strong knowledge of cyber-security and Network Security.  
• Demonstrable and practical experience as Network Services leader 

Representative experience should include: 

• Cisco networking qualifications  

• DDOS solutions. 

• Remote access technologies 

• Knowledge of WAN Optimisation (BGP, MPLS, VPN) 

• Wireless technology for the enterprise with highly secure technologies  

• Strong experience of automation and monitoring (Solarwinds, ThousandEyes, Netflow) 

• Core network infrastructure for both on-premise, cloud, and DR providers  

• Intense routing, firewall, VPN access technology experience  

• Understanding of network patterns and approaches 

Personal Characteristics  

•  Excellent communications skills, with the ability to explain complex technological ideas and concepts in a way that is understandable to a non-technical audience.  
• Confident presenter who likes to get in front of customers or any audience to espouse their and the company’s technology vision and the merits of products and services.  
• Experience of formulating and implementing successful strategic plans.  
• Experience working with Senior IT leadership in a strategic context  
• Ability to build and maintain partnerships  
• Ability to work independently and with little guidance while keeping the focus.  
• Significant experience working with vendors, professional services, and providers 
• Ability to manage and motivate people.  
• Encourages the personal development of individuals and teams aligned with the Network strategy.  

Rewards and Benefits:
Atkins offers a fantastic range of benefits, which you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices.
All the information you need to know is available on our dedicated benefits portal; your reward, which is available to access 24/7 from any device: https://www.yourrewardatkins.com

Security Clearance:
This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary it will be discussed with you at interview.
If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

ATKINS, part of the SNC Lavalin Group, is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.