About the Opportunity
We are looking for an ambitious and experienced professional, with strong traditional network and security architecture skills alongside demonstrable cloud experience. They should have a passion for leadership and setting direction in these crucial areas.
Responsible for ensuring the network is secure and optimally supports the business.
Working in close collaboration with the Strategy & Enterprise Architecture, Security and Service Management teams this role will be:
- Responsible for complying with governance processes as well as developing and maintaining enterprise architecture deliverables for the network and security domains.
- Responsible for ensuring new solutions, from a network and security perspective, are secure, viable and aligned to the Electricity North West's Enterprise Architecture and Digital strategy.
- Responsible for the network and security architecture function for Electricity North West including partnering with analysts, engineers and third parties to design and assure enterprise level solutions across operational (real time network) systems and non-operational (corporate) systems.
- Responsible for developing and owning Electricity North West’s processes, policies and standards as they relate to network and security architecture and design.
Principal accountabilities
- Working with the strategy and architecture team to manage and continually improve the architecture and strategy function.
- Accountable for the development and implementation of network and security architecture deliverables, such as network designs, roadmaps and strategies.
- Accountable for the development and implementation of security and network principles, policies and standards that are aligned to the digital strategy.
- Accountable for architectural assurance of change activities throughout the project development lifecycle and change management process from a security and network architecture perspective.
- Accountable for identifying the impact of emerging industry and technology trends within the network and security domain on the enterprise architecture, digital strategy and solution designs.
- Working with colleagues and 3rd parties to support the creation and implementation of optimal designs for business change and application refresh and/or technology replacement projects.
- Representing IT on project governance and management working groups
Who we are looking for?
You will be Degree educated or equivalent with proven experience in leading major network projects from a design and architecture perspective.
- Proven experience as technical design authority for an organisation’s network infrastructure and network security.
- Demonstrable experience of working in complex network environments with sound experience of IP, Network addressing, network and security infrastructure design, design of an end-to-end solution covering every aspect IT.
- Demonstrable experience of delivering network and security architectures for cloud environments, specifically Microsoft Azure.
- Demonstrable subject matter expertise of a wide sphere of security and network services and technology.
- Experience of ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials.
- Cisco Certified Network Architect (CCNA) accreditation or equivalent.
- Desirable CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional or equivalent
- Experience of developing and maintaining architectural deliverables, such as designs, reference architectures, principles, roadmaps, financial plans and strategies.
- Experience of developing and maintaining enterprise architecture governance and processes
- Experience in analysing and translating business, information and technology requirements into an architectural blueprint and related artefacts.
- Experience of undertaking IT architectural assurance and against the policies, standards and principles through the effective application of official governance procedures and less formal stakeholder engagement.
- Excellent inter-personal and stakeholder management skills that can be demonstrated through the ability to challenge constructively and influence at all levels of an organisation up to and including board level.
- Understanding of the UK electricity industry and the role of a distribution network operator is beneficial.
- Knowledge of current and emerging technologies relevant to the energy sector.
- Experience working in a regulated environment requiring security clearance.
What we’re offering
As a vital team member and in return for your expertise, inclusive approach and commitment, we'll provide a favourable salary and the chance to join a passionate and welcoming team. We are committed to ensuring our people are supported and are proud of our reward and benefits offer, which includes:
- An annual bonus scheme
- 25 days annual leave increasing with length of service
- Private Health Care
- An employee rewards portal offering discounts on several well-known brands
- A market-leading contributory pension scheme
- Employee assistance programme
- Opportunity for professional development through our L&D function.
We’re champions of the North West and we’re proud that it’s our electricity network that connects communities and helps keep the electricity flowing every minute of every day, from when you wake up to when you fall asleep and all the hours in between.
A key part of the UK’s journey to net zero carbon is the revolution of our electricity industry and as the regions network operator, it’s our responsibility to lead the way, help the North West to decarbonise and pave the way for the growth of renewable energy.
Together we have the energy to transform our communities. We are switched on. We are adaptable. We take pride.
Our people important to us and we’re passionate about creating a great place to work where we can all be ourselves, reach our full potential and build long lasting careers. We’re striving to increase diversity of thought and talent in our people and to recruit highly skilled workforce that’s representative of the communities we serve. For us, embracing our differences is what makes us stronger.
