We are part of International Airlines Group (IAG), one of the world’s leading airline groups and owner of some of the biggest brands in the sky. 

With a diverse workforce spread across four countries, IAG GBS provides creative and innovative solutions to drive sustainable transformation by delivering finance, procurement, and airline services, as well as group-wide systems across IAG. Each operating company benefits from the GBS centralised model, driving efficiencies, automation, and economies of scale. 

IAG Tech’s vision is to increase shareholder value, accelerate business performance, delight customers, enable employees, and protect our business through the innovative and agile use of technology and data. 

Purpose of the role  

The Network Architecture Manager is a strategic and technical leadership role responsible for leading and managing the Network Solutions Architecture department and leading the design, implementation, and management of IAG’s network infrastructure. The role involves working closely with cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategy. The Network Architecture Manager is responsible for driving innovation and Architecture excellence, optimizing performance, and enhancing the overall network infrastructure by designing and positioning optimal network architectures, inline the IAG’s business goals. 

Accountabilities 

Working in partnership with IAG Tech and the business to: 

• Lead and Manage:  Provide strong leadership to the Network Architecture team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture whilst setting clear goals and expectations. Leading the team, ensuring mentorship and development are at the heart of your management approach in order to develop our people and drive excellence.   

• Network Strategy and Strategic Vision: Develop, communicate and execute a comprehensive network strategy aligned with business goals and technology trends. Collaborate with senior leadership to define network architecture roadmaps and provide guidance on technology investments.  

• Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain good relationships with key stakeholders, including senior managers, IT teams and IAG’s operating companies, whilst acting as the liaison between departments, fostering quality communication and collaboration.  

• Network Design & Implementation: Oversee the Design, configure, and maintain high-performance network solutions, including LANs, WANs, data centres, and cloud-based network. Provide advisory to the implementation of network projects, ensuring they meet quality, security, and performance standards.  

• Problem Resolution: Work with operational teams post incident to address, where appropriate, architectural concerns that affect in-life network stability.  

• Manage Vendor Relationships: Work with 3rd party suppliers to support network requirements, including evaluating, selecting, provisioning, and maintenance.   

• Communication and Collaboration: Communicate and collaborate with our managed service partners and their engineers. Communicate network solutions to both technical and non-technical employees.  

This role may require travel and working from multiple sites/locations. 

Experience & Skills Required:

• Leadership: Proven experience in team management and the ability to operate effectively across multiple countries and cultures.
• Technical Expertise: In-depth understanding of enterprise network architecture, infrastructure, hardware, and support tooling (Broadcom, SolarWinds, LogicMonitor, Cisco, Juniper).
• Strategic Management: Extensive knowledge of large-scale networks, with the ability to develop and implement practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Multi-Vendor Environment: Experience in managing network operations with multiple vendors.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills with a capacity to summarize complex information for stakeholders.
• Risk Management: Skilled at identifying and mitigating risks with robust planning and problem-solving abilities.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Technical certifications (e.g., CCNP, CCIE) and/or Leadership and Management qualifications.
• Membership in a professional management institution (e.g., CMI, ILM).

Key Stakeholders 

External: 

• Strategic and operational third-party partners, suppliers, and manufacturers 

Internal: 

• IAG Head of Networks 

• Group and relevant IT Business & Operations areas.  

• IAG Tech (I&O). 

• Network department heads & engineers 

• IAG Tech Architecture. 

• Software Engineering.  

• Cyber Security.