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 Tools and Automation Solutions Architect is a strategic and technical leadership role responsible for designing, implementing, and managing our IAG’s network infrastructure. The role involves working closely with cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategy. The Network Solutions Tools and Automation Architect is responsible for driving innovation, optimizing processes, 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:

• Network Strategy: Develop 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.
• Network Design & Implementation: 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.
• Documentation: Maintain comprehensive network documentation, including network diagrams, configurations, and change logs.
• Problem Resolution: Work with operational teams post incident to address, where appropriate, architectural concerns that affect in-life network stability.
• Vendor Interactions: 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.  

Key Stakeholders

External:

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

Internal:

• Network Solutions Architecture Manager.
• Group and relevant IT Business & Operations areas.
• IAG Tech (I&O).
• IAG Tech Architecture.
• Software Engineering.
• Cyber Security.

People Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
• Desired: Technical certifications within areas of expertise (e.g., CCNA, CCNP) with strong proficiency in Python, Ansible, and Network Tools such as Cisco ThousandEyes, NetBrain, and SNMP monitoring tools.

Skills

• Proven ability to analyze network requirements and define products and solutions.
• Expertise in the creation of automation policies and governance to reduce operational overhead.
• Strong decision-making skills in architectural design, utilizing software development and architecture principles.
• Network automation and coding experience with Python and Ansible.
• In-depth understanding of large enterprise networks and associated tools (e.g., NPM, APM, CMDB) for monitoring and operational support.
• Experience working in multi-vendor network environments.
• Previous experience managing third-party suppliers.
• Track record of success in similar roles within a FTSE100 organisation or a business of comparable scale.
• Comprehensive knowledge of:
  • Wireless, TCP/IP, spanning-tree, subnetting, routing protocols
  • Access control lists, VPN, Network Access Control, and Firewall operations.
• Vendor experience with Broadcom, SolarWinds, LogicMonitor, Cisco, and Juniper.
• Desire to work in a fast-paced, agile, and collaborative environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to summarize and present to key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • Identify innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions while recognizing industry trends.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement and development of specific tooling solutions.
  • Embrace and manage business and IT change initiatives to help shape future direction.
• Strong risk management capabilities, ensuring options are agreed and plans are in place.
• Ability to perform under pressure in fast-changing environments.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

Experience

• Senior-level IT leadership experience gained within a complex, global organization, ideally in both business and technology delivery environments.
• Demonstrable technical expertise across infrastructure, networks, hardware, and support tooling.
• Experience working in cross-functional, complex environments.
• Proven ability to promote and advocate innovative, agile ways of working to improve project speed and effectiveness.
• Desirable: Experience operating across multiple countries and cultures.