Head of Network Infrastructure Operation

The Head of Network Infrastructure Operations plays a critical role in overseeing the strategic direction of network infrastructure, IT programs, and operational initiatives, ensuring alignment with the organization’s overarching goals. This role is responsible for ensuring that network and IT initiatives deliver strategic value while supporting continuous improvement to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness. Operational Excellence & NOC ManagementOversee the 24/7 Network Operations Center (NOC) to ensure proactive monitoring.Establish and monitor critical SLAs/SLOs for network uptime and performance.Lead engineering teams through high-pressure, live operational environments and time-sensitive event windows.Collaborate with non-technical event organizers to translate business needs into technical network specifications.Lead high-severity incident response and conduct detailed Root Cause Analysis (RCA). Strategic Infrastructure RoadmapDesign and implement scalable network architectures (LAN/WAN, Data Center, Cloud).Evaluate emerging technologies such as SD-WAN, WiFi 6E, and SASE to maintain a competitive edge.Direct the decommissioning of legacy hardware and migration to modern infrastructure stacks. Network Automation & InnovationDrive initiatives to automate routine configurations.Implement automated CI/CD pipelines for network changes.Standardize network deployments using tools such as Ansible, Terraform, or Python.Risk Management & Security CompliancePartner with Security teams to enforce Zero Trust models and robust firewall policies.Ensure all network assets comply with global standards such as ISO 27001 and SOC2.Manage disaster recovery (DR) planning and regular business continuity testing. Financial & Vendor ManagementManage the annual CAPEX/OPEX budget for network infrastructure.Negotiate contracts with ISPs, hardware vendors, and managed service providers.Conduct business reviews with key technology partners.Required Skill :-12–15 years of experience in Network Engineering, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.Proven track record managing large-scale, multi-vendor enterprise environments (Cisco, Arista, HPE, etc.).Deep expertise in global backbone technologies including BGP, MPLS, SD-WAN, and VXLAN.Good experience in Hybrid Cloud connectivity (GCP, Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute).Proven experience with data center networking technologies, including Cisco ACI, Nexus switching, UCS platforms, and VMware NSX.EducationBachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related Engineering field.Valid CCIE certification is mandatory. Preferred CertificationsCCNPITIL FoundationPMPAzure Certified Advanced Networking Required SkillsetSoftware-Defined Networking (SDN)Expert ability to manage centralized network controllers and orchestrated fabrics (e.g., ACI, NSX, or equivalent).Routing & SwitchingDeep expertise in core protocols (BGP, OSPF, EVPN) and encapsulation technologies (VXLAN, MPLS).Network VirtualizationProficiency in managing virtual overlays, logical switching, and micro-segmentation security policies.Infrastructure AutomationKnowledge in scripting and orchestration tools such as Python, Ansible, and Terraform to automate network provisioning.Application DeliveryAdvanced knowledge of L4–L7 load balancing, traffic engineering, and Global Server Load Balancing (GSLB).Network SecurityExpertise in integrating firewalls, IDS/IPS, and Zero Trust principles into the network fabric.Performance AnalysisMastery of deep packet inspection, flow telemetry, and proactive monitoring to ensure optimal latency and throughput.