Job Description

Vacancy Name

Network Architect

Employment Type

Permanent

Country

United Kingdom

Location

Liverpool

Business Area

Finance

Workplace Type

Hybrid

About Princes

The Princes Group has over 7,000 employees with offices and production sites in the UK, Netherlands, Italy, Poland, France and Mauritius. Princes manufactures 350 different food and drink products responsibly sourced and enjoyed by consumers every day. None of this would be possible without striving to be an employer of choice, where our colleagues are proud to represent our business.

Role Description

To assume key responsibility for the evaluation, recommendation, implementation and management of the network and communications mechanisms necessary to ensure efficient communications both within the Princes Group and also with business partners, Achieved with guidance from and providing feedback to the Head of IT Service Delivery. To assist in the setting of key forward IT strategies, in conjunction with the Head of IT Service Delivery and other members of the Senior Management team. To manage incidents escalated from the Business Systems Support team by analysing problems and formulating practical resolutions to ensure IT service security and availability. To ensure that each relevant element of the IT communications infrastructure is managed to a standard that complies with Princes' strict IT General Controls. To ensure knowledge is distributed between colleagues in the support teams.

Dimensions:

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The Communications Architect is responsible for the delivery of the network infrastructure, used by every employee and IT service within the organisation on a daily basis. The multitude of interconnected networks is the 'glue' that binds the entire organisation and a stable communications platform is critical to the success of the business. The role has the following scope:

2800 users globally Royal Liver Building head office 14 UK sites, 10 manufacturing sites, 3 warehouses and 1 datacentre 3 European sites, 2 manufacturing sites and 1 office 2 Mauritius manufacturing sites 200+ servers



Internal contacts can include members of the organisation at all levels, from junior staff to Chief Executives. Regular contacts will be with Senior Managers and both Departmental and Group Directors. External contacts will include representatives from our key technology partners who provide equipment, service and support. These contacts will be for the negotiation of contracts and services, as well as resolution of day-to-day issues and also the definition of future strategy.

Principal Responsibilities:

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Primary responsibility for the development and management of efficient communications mechanisms, both internal and external to the business. Primary responsibility for evaluating, transitioning and managing the relationship with Princes' communications partners. Primary responsibility for managing communications contracts and billing. Responsibility for network security concepts, in agreement with the Security Architect and Head of IT Service Delivery. Efficient management of communications projects to ensure on-schedule and within-budget delivery. Provision of regular capacity and usage reports for the Head of IT Service Delivery to ensure a well-managed and available communications platform and to drive future investment, where necessary. Retain up-to-date knowledge of emerging communications technologies and recommend adoption strategies. Provide technical expertise within business continuity and disaster recovery. Provision of Incident Reports in the event of service outages, to include root cause analysis and preventative measures to ensure incident recurrence is minimised. Target audience can be all management grades, up to Chief Executive level. Efficient management of changes, following Princes' change management policy to ensure changes are delivered on-schedule. Support and administration of the network and communications environment to ensure application access to staff at all times. Ensure all related documentation is kept up to date to enable support of systems by other members of the team and department Assist in the troubleshooting of all areas of the IT Core Infrastructure, specifically with internal firewalls which underpin our network segmentation.

Role Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

Aruba Local-Area Network technologies, both in office and production site environments. Network Access Control system development & management expertise. SD-WAN network technologies expertise. Aruba Wireless LAN technologies expertise. Telephony technologies expertise Mobile device management technologies and management.. Deep knowledge of supplier management. Secure networking principles Secure Remote Access and Internet technologies Microsoft Windows Server networking concepts Networking principles (e.g. DNS, DHCP) Fortinet Firewall management competence. VMware ESX networking competence



The Communications Architect will be expected to be proficient in the following non-technical areas.

Deep knowledge of billing practices within the communications world. Appreciation of Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery principles. Ability to produce written reports on support issues. Excellent problem solving skills. Project Management experience. Appetite for continuous improvement and an attention to detail. Knowledge and appreciation of ITIL foundation principles. Excellent communications skills Ability to make key decisions to ensure availability of core IT communications infrastructure.

Benefits:

Cash Car allowance 25 days annual leave plus birthday off 14.5% pension - 5% employee opt in / 9.5% employer Hybrid and flexible working - 4 days in office / 1 day WFH Flexible holiday option - buy 5 additional days Enhanced family friendly & carers policies Life assurance cover Private medical insurance Critical illness cover Learning and development opportunities Corporate incentive scheme (company performance based)




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