About the Team:
The Head of Network systems and automation role sits in the Delivery function, which acts as the accountable service integrator for the customer, retaining ownership of customer outcomes, supplier coordination, service performance, communications, and escalations throughout the service lifecycle.
The team will consist of up to five direct reports, comprising the existing Systems Engineers alongside the recruitment of two Network Automation Engineers. Establishing the full team structure and completing the required recruitment will be a key objective within the first two months of joining.
You will join the Delivery and Operations function, which is responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle management of Jisc's products and services. This role is specifically focused on developing, maintaining, and enhancing the systems and automation capabilities that underpin the Janet Network. You will work closely with both the Architecture and NOC Engineering teams to drive automation, improve operational efficiency, and support the ongoing evolution of the network platform.
About the role:
As the Head of Network systems and automation you will be responsible for establishing and leading a new technology capability that designs, develops, operates and continuously improves the systems, platforms and automation services that underpin network operations and service delivery. This includes the network monitoring systems used by the Service Desk, and customer-facing web portal that displays usage of customer’s Janet connection(s).
In this pivotal role you will be accountable for defining the function's strategy, operating model, roadmap and target architecture, selecting and implementing a blend of commercial and open-source technologies, and building a high-performing engineering capability that delivers scalable, resilient and cost-effective solutions. There is expected line management of up to 5 engineers, though this may flex up and down to reflect workload, especially in the early days of developing the systems.
Working closely with operational, architecture, engineering and service management teams, you will transform manual and fragmented processes into integrated, automated services that improve operational efficiency, reliability and customer outcomes.
What you’ll be doing:
Build and mature the Network Systems function.
Define team structure, roles, responsibilities and operating model.
Establish engineering standards for network systems and automation practice, governance frameworks and development methodologies.
Design support models, service ownership arrangements and lifecycle management processes.
Create repeatable delivery and operational frameworks that can scale with future business growth.
Assist the Technology Strategy Office, which will define the target architecture for network management, orchestration, automation, observability and operational support systems.
Evaluate, select and implement a strategic mix of commercial and open-source technologies.
Develop build-versus-buy strategies that balance cost, flexibility, supportability and business risk.
Ensure platforms integrate effectively across operational, service management and business systems.
Lead the redesign and automation of operational processes across network provisioning, assurance, monitoring, inventory, configuration management and incident response.
Identify opportunities to eliminate manual effort and reduce operational risk.
Introduce engineering practices that improve consistency, quality and service performance.
Ensure processes are measurable, auditable and aligned to organisational governance requirements.
Create and maintain a multi-year technology roadmap.
Operate the function as an internal technology product team.
Define product vision and outcomes for each core platform.
Maintain backlog prioritisation and roadmap governance.
Engage stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into delivery…