IT Project Manager

IT Project Manager - Data Centre and Network Infrastructure
Competitive hourly rate
London - 3 days required in the office
Contract - 12 months
A prestigious global financial services organisation is seeking an experienced IT Project Manager to oversee critical data centre and network infrastructure projects in London. This is a unique opportunity for you to play a pivotal role in the delivery of large-scale technology initiatives, focusing on data centre builds, network refreshes, and core network expansions utilising leading Cisco and Arista technologies. The organisation is renowned for its commitment to integrity, excellence, and a strong team ethic, offering a supportive environment where your expertise will be valued and your professional growth encouraged. With hybrid working arrangements and a culture that values work-life balance, this position provides the flexibility to thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to high-impact projects at the forefront of financial technology.

* Join a globally respected financial institution with a reputation for excellence, integrity, and collaborative teamwork, where your contributions will directly impact mission-critical technology infrastructure.
* Enjoy flexible hybrid working arrangements that support your personal lifestyle and needs, including the ability to work remotely with your own device when not onsite.
* Be part of a diverse and inclusive environment that champions equal opportunities, continuous learning, and professional development within the fast-evolving world of financial services technology.

What you'll do:
As an IT Project Manager - Data Centre and Network Infrastructure based in London, you will take ownership of complex technology projects that underpin the operational resilience of one of the world's most influential financial institutions. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve orchestrating every phase of major infrastructure initiatives-from initial requirements gathering through to final deployment-ensuring that each milestone is achieved with precision. You will act as the central point of coordination between technical teams, vendors, contractors, and business stakeholders. By leveraging your deep understanding of data centre environments and network hardware integration (especially Cisco and Arista), you will drive forward projects that enhance connectivity, security, and scalability across the organisation's global footprint. Your ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks under pressure while maintaining clear communication channels will be essential for success. This role offers you the chance to make a tangible impact on mission-critical systems while enjoying the benefits of hybrid working arrangements in a highly supportive setting.

* Oversee the end-to-end delivery of data centre builds, network refreshes, and core network expansions with a primary focus on Cisco and Arista technologies for enterprise environments.
* Coordinate all aspects of project lifecycle management including hardware procurement, equipment logistics, installation, testing, and activation of core network routers and switches.
* Collaborate closely with internal teams as well as third-party contractors and consultants to ensure seamless execution of project objectives within agreed timelines.
* Gather detailed technology requirements from stakeholders and partner with engineering and operations teams to develop high-level design solutions tailored to business needs.
* Manage hardware deliveries in partnership with vendors, ensuring accurate staging, timely receipt, and readiness for deployment across multiple sites.
* Create and manage Technology Change Management tickets to document project changes and maintain compliance with organisational standards.
* Provide comprehensive weekly status reports for both internal leadership and external partners as required by project governance protocols.
* Schedule user acceptance testing (UAT) sessions and coordinate business-as-usual (BAU) sign-offs to validate successful implementation of new infrastructure components.
* Track deliverables meticulously using advanced project management tools such as Microsoft Project, SharePoint, Visio, Excel, and ServiceNow.
* Ensure all project activities are executed efficiently while maintaining exceptional attention to detail in documentation, scheduling, and stakeholder communication.

What you bring:
To excel as an IT Project Manager - Data Centre and Network Infrastructure in this role, you will bring extensive hands-on experience delivering complex technology projects within demanding environments such as financial services or large-scale enterprises. Your background should include direct involvement in building out data centres or refreshing core network infrastructure using industry-leading hardware from Cisco or Arista. You will have honed your ability to coordinate cross-functional teams-balancing technical requirements with business priorities-while ensuring rigorous adherence to schedules and quality standards. Your strong command of project management tools enables you to track progress accurately across multiple workstreams. In addition to technical acumen, your interpersonal skills allow you to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders while providing clear updates on project status. Adaptability is key: you are comfortable navigating shifting priorities or working outside standard hours when necessary. A commitment to continuous improvement rounds out your profile-enabling you not only to deliver results but also contribute positively to the wider team culture.

* Demonstrated experience managing large-scale data centre builds or network core infrastructure projects within financial services or similar regulated industries over 12-15 years.
* Proven track record coordinating installations involving Cisco and Arista hardware-including switches, routers-and partnering effectively with vendors for seamless delivery.
* Comprehensive knowledge of network installations encompassing full project lifecycles: integration planning, infrastructure build-outs, hardware refreshes, consolidations, decommissions.
* Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Visio, Project; strong skills in Excel; familiarity with ServiceNow for tracking change management processes.
* Exceptional organisational skills with meticulous attention to detail in scheduling resources, tracking deliverables, documenting progress reports, and managing change requests.
* Outstanding interpersonal abilities enabling you to communicate clearly at all levels-both internally across teams and externally with partners-while influencing outcomes positively.
* Ability to prioritise competing demands efficiently under pressure while maintaining composure during high-stakes events such as Friday evening or Saturday deployments.
* Experience working on-site at least three days per week as part of hybrid arrangements; comfortable adhering to bring-your-own-device policies when remote.
* Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; CCNA or CCNP certification preferred; additional exposure to Dark Fiber/WAN/LAN environments advantageous.
* Familiarity with Kanban or Agile methodologies for managing technical delivery processes is desirable.

What sets this company apart:
This organisation stands out as a global leader in financial services thanks to its unwavering dedication to integrity, excellence, and fostering a collaborative team spirit. Employees benefit from an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated-drawing talent from across communities worldwide-and everyone is empowered to reach their full potential regardless of background or experience. The company's philosophy places great emphasis on balancing professional achievement with personal wellbeing: flexible working arrangements are available so you can tailor your schedule around life's demands without compromising career progression. Continuous learning is actively encouraged through access to training resources designed to help you grow both technically and personally. Above all else, you'll find yourself surrounded by knowledgeable colleagues who share your passion for delivering outstanding results while supporting one another every step of the way.

What's next:
If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge at the heart of global finance technology transformation-and want your expertise recognised in an environment that values growth-this could be your next career move. Apply today by clicking on the link provided; seize this opportunity to join an organisation where your skills will shape tomorrow's digital infrastructure. We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience. If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require adjustments to the recruitment process, our Adjustment Concierge Service is here to support you. Please reach out to us at adjustments@robertwalters.com to discuss further.