Head of Technical Operations (Telecoms)

Head of Technical Operations (Telecoms)

Location

Manchester, GB

Department Name

TA Technical Operations (Telecoms) (570664) G1About Network Rail

???? Join Our Team at Network Rail! ????

Are you ready to make a difference in people’s lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We’re an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. Click here to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!

We’re dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we’re committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone. Discover more about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail by clicking here.

Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you! 

About our people and the recruitment process – We’re an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don’t always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we’ll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance. 

We’re also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we’ll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.

Brief Description

The railway has seen nearly 200 years of technology and innovation that has transformed how we provide services to passengers and freight customers.

Technology is continuing to transform the railway industry. Imagine an exciting environment where Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) are not just buzzwords but the driving force behind every operation, every decision, and every solution. As part of the DDaT directorate, you have a unique opportunity to enable our customers and industry partner with modern and transformative technology. From the day-to-day IT operations that keeps a national railway running, to the extensive delivery programmes that our helping to reshape the railway – we are at the forefront of all of it. We operate with a talented and passionate workforce, fostering empowered individuals and teams who understand that technology is not just a tool – it’s the catalyst for progress, especially in an ever-demanding industry where change is a constant. Get ready to embark on a journey where your skills will not just be utilised; they’ll be honed and expanded. You’re not just joining a team; you’re becoming part of a collective force helping to build and operate a railway fit for the next 200 years!

The ideal candidate will already be managing technical teams within a telecoms network / managed services organisation and be competent in civil infrastructure, transmission, radio, voice, operational systems, and DC power technologies. They will have leadership team experience within a safety critical organisation responsible for operating critical national infrastructure.

About the role (External)

Direct and lead a team of geographically spread technical network specialists supporting and maintaining telecoms network assets and services, whilst meeting performance standards and service level targets.

What will you be doing?

• Direct technically diverse operations and field-based teams, providing specialist technical knowledge and support in order to resolve escalated incidents and maintain maximum service availability.
• Challenge, agree and implement relevant policy changes to technology platforms so that delivery is consistent and can be managed with the appropriate level of resource.
• Deliver expert advice and support to the technical requirements of projects delivering new assets and service, providing an influential operational interface between engineering and suppliers, in order to improve how new assets are transitioned into service and maximise service levels.
• Deliver a capability of technical specialist support to the lifecycle of Problem Management on the Telecoms network, so that the root cause of incidents are identified, and permanent fixes can be implemented.
• Drive and promote good stakeholder management of operational suppliers so their performance is monitored, agreed service levels are achieved through effective incident resolution, and any problems are addressed swiftly.
• Direct and drive the team to assure the correct level of approved software on all network assets in order to minimise network vulnerabilities and optimise operational performance.
• Own the team risk management plans, implementing mitigations and realising operational improvements so that early warning indicators are provided, mitigated or escalated as appropriate.
• Direct the Technical Operations team to evaluate and recommend methods to fix Work Arising Information Forms (WAIF) associated with telecoms systems and services so that suitable resolution emphasis is directed to the appropriate repair.
• Direct and support the team to perform technical assessments of the network to proactively identify the level of event management requirements within the 24×7 NMC operation in order to effectively identify and resolve incidents swiftly.
• Develop and continually encourage the team to become technical experts in their chosen field, promoting this capability within Network Rail so that network experts are consulted when and where they are required, in order to provide maintainability of the newly handed over asset or service.

Essential

• Degree in technical/engineering discipline or extensive practical knowledge of telecommunication systems
• Demonstrable experience collaborating with other internal and external functional teams to deliver positive outcomes
• Experience managing a 24×7 operational service
• Experience in improving (or maintaining excellent) technical proficiency across teams with varying skill levels and technical abilities
• Ability to influence at senior levels.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively across project teams in a diverse environment.
• Capable of working under pressure, prioritising and delivering to tight deadlines.
• Customer centric role model
• Familiar with contract management and procurement improvements.
• Experienced leader of teams across multiple sites and of different technical disciplines
• Knowledge of technical, safety and performance standards relating to telecoms Incident and Change management
• Ability to drive change with experience of successfully delivering operational improvements
• Experience of managing supplier relationships
• Familiar with drafting operational requirements

Desirable

• Charted status through a recognised technical institution
• Familiar with the ITIL service management framework
• Existing knowledge of the railway

We are committed to a diverse workplace enriched with representation from diverse cultures, backgrounds and skills. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where difference is embraced, and individuals can thrive. We recognise that the success of the team is dependent on a multi-cultural, multi-disciplined group of individuals, aligned to deliver successful solutions.

At Network Rail, we have a number of employee networks to reflect our diverse population and help to raise issues to the wider workforce and support their membership and support our Everybody Matters strategy, led by our central Diversity & Inclusion team. We have Diversity & Inclusion Champions who take part and lead on many activities, to drive through more initiatives to support an inclusive environment for all its people and promote a professional and positive working environment. For more information on Diversity & Inclusion at Network Rail, please follow this link

How to apply (External)

Closing date: 6th December 2024. – Late applications will not be accepted. This role has also been advertised externally. 

Vacancy type: Permanent, 35 hours per week, Hybrid working of 2/3 days in the office. We welcome applications from those seeking flexible or part time hours.

Location: Flexible – Manchester/Stoke/Doncaster

Interviews will take place W/C 16/12/24 and these will be held Face to Face in London

Band & Salary: Band 2C (£85,395 – £96,070) This will be awarded based on experience. 

We’re an organisation where people matter. We matter to millions.

We offer excellent benefits, including: 

???? Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.

✨ Defined benefit pension scheme.

???? 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.

???? Up to 75% off leisure travel. 

????️ Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.

???? Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.

???? Flexible/hybrid working arrangements.

????️ Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.

❤ Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more.

???? We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments

Plus, more….

We are proud to be recognised as a Times Top 50 Employer for Gender Equality for the third year in a row.

Our role is to run a safe, reliable and efficient railway, serving customers and communities. We exist to get people and goods where they need to be and to support our country’s economic prosperity. Safety is our number one priority. We’re undertaking an ambitious change. Our vision is Putting Passengers First – becoming a company that is on the side of passengers and freight users. As one of the UK’s leading equal opportunities employers, our values and the way we behave is important to us and we have created an environment where we value and respect every individual’s unique contribution. We have seven employee networks that provide fantastic support, opportunities and development for applicants from all backgrounds.

To submit your application, click apply now. For tips to help you prepare and apply click here

You can visit Evenbreak’s Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you’re unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please contact ** or add a note to your application.

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