£550 Per day
Outside
Undetermined
London Area, United Kingdom
Summary: The Network Architect role focuses on leading the design and strategic direction of next-generation network infrastructure, emphasizing cloud-first operations and inter-trust collaboration. This position is integral to a multi-year transformation program aimed at replacing legacy systems. The role is strategic in nature, not involving hands-on implementation or business-as-usual tasks.
Key Responsibilities:
- Define the target network architecture supporting cloud-first operations.
- Architect solutions optimized for cloud-hosted clinical systems and Microsoft Fabric.
- Design inter-trust network integration models for shared resilience and collaboration.
- Develop a connectivity strategy balancing direct internet access and secure private links.
- Model support for emerging technologies including IoT, AI/ML, and advanced communications.
- Create a phased transformation roadmap consolidating current network initiatives.
- Design transition architectures that minimize operational disruption.
- Establish decision frameworks and architectural principles for future investments.
- Architect trust-to-trust connectivity models for shared services.
- Design optimal Azure connectivity architectures and support hybrid cloud networking.
- Develop strategies for on-prem to cloud migration and compliance frameworks.
Key Skills:
- Proven experience in designing multi-year network strategies for complex organizations.
- Expertise in cloud migration architecture, especially Azure and Microsoft 365/Fabric.
- Strong understanding of cost-performance-resilience trade-offs.
- Deep knowledge of cloud connectivity patterns and Azure networking.
- Familiarity with SD-WAN and SASE architectures.
- Strong knowledge of Cisco, Meraki, and Fortinet platforms.
- Professional qualifications such as CCNP, CCIE, or equivalent senior networking certification.
- Desirable experience with NHS inter-trust collaboration and healthcare analytics platforms.
Salary (Rate): £550/day
City: London
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: undetermined
IR35 Status: outside IR35
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: IT
£500-550/Day Outside IR35 6-12 Months Duration 2 visits per month to Office London/South East
We are seeking a visionary Network Architect to lead the design and strategic direction of our next-generation network infrastructure. This role will be pivotal in delivering a multi-year transformation programme focused on replacing legacy systems, enabling cloud-first operations, and fostering inter-trust collaboration. This is a strategic architecture role , not a hands-on implementation or BAU position.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Network Architecture Design
- Define the target network architecture , supporting cloud-first operations and minimal on-premise infrastructure.
- Architect solutions optimised for cloud-hosted clinical systems and the Microsoft Fabric analytics platform .
- Design inter-trust network integration models to enable shared resilience, economies of scale, and collaborative working.
- Develop a connectivity strategy balancing direct internet access, cloud on-ramps, and secure private links.
- Model support for emerging technologies including IoT, AI/ML, and advanced emergency communications.
- Design a zero-trust, cloud-native security architecture
- Consolidated Roadmap & Transition Architecture
- Create a phased transformation roadmap , consolidating all current network initiatives.
- Design transition architectures that minimise operational disruption.
- Define migration waves prioritising quick wins, risk reduction, and cloud enablement.
- Establish decision frameworks and architectural principles for future investments.
- Identify dependencies with application migration and digital transformation programmes.
- Develop business cases and cost models for proposed architecture changes.
- Inter-Trust Collaboration Design
- Architect trust-to-trust connectivity models for shared services and mutual aid.
- Design federated or unified network management approaches.
- Develop shared resilience and disaster recovery models .
- Create security and governance frameworks for inter-trust data sharing.
- Identify procurement and vendor management opportunities across trusts.
- Cloud Connectivity & Optimisation
- Design optimal Azure connectivity architectures (ExpressRoute, VPN, internet).
- Support hybrid cloud networking during transition phases.
- Architect SD-WAN evolution for intelligent routing and application-aware networking.
- Develop strategies for on-prem to cloud migration (DNS, IP, routing).
- Create frameworks for cloud region selection, data residency, and compliance .
- Essential Experience & Skills
- Strategic Architecture
- Proven experience designing multi-year network strategies for complex organisations.
- Expertise in cloud migration architecture , especially Azure and Microsoft 365/Fabric.
- Experience with inter-organisational network integration and shared services.
- Strong understanding of cost-performance-resilience trade-offs .
- Cloud & Modern Networking
- Deep knowledge of cloud connectivity patterns (hybrid, multi-cloud, cloud-native).
- Experience with Azure networking (ExpressRoute, Virtual WAN, Hub-Spoke).
- Familiarity with SD-WAN and SASE architectures.
- Understanding of zero-trust models and cloud-native security.
- Technical Foundations
- Strong knowledge of Cisco, Meraki, and Fortinet platforms.
- Expertise in routing protocols, WAN design, IP addressing, VLANs, segmentation .
- Professional Qualifications
- CCNP, CCIE , or equivalent senior networking certification.
- Azure Solutions Architect or similar cloud certification (desirable).
- TOGAF or equivalent enterprise architecture framework experience (desirable).
- Desirable Experience
- NHS inter-trust collaboration or shared services experience.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Fabric and healthcare analytics platforms.
- Knowledge of Emergency Services Network (ESN) and critical infrastructure.
- Experience with ambulance service operations and BMS integration.
- Understanding of SASE and emerging network security models .
- Proven ability to develop business cases for infrastructure investment .