IT Manager – Network and Security Architect

About the role

The IT Manager – Network and Security Architect is the senior technical authority responsible for designing, implementing and governing enterprise networking, secure access and hybrid‑cloud connectivity. Based in Abu Dhabi, the role ensures a unified, resilient architecture across campus, perimeter, cloud and remote‑access services.

Key responsibilities

• Define secure, scalable target architecture and standards for LAN, WLAN, WAN, Internet edge, hybrid‑cloud, routing, VPN, segmentation, high availability and traffic flows.
• Own roadmaps, capacity planning, resilience design, change governance and technical documentation.
• Design, configure and lifecycle‑manage Aruba switches, controllers, gateways and access points; set cabling standards for copper and fiber.
• Architect and manage Cisco enterprise routing, switching, campus, WAN and data‑centre platforms (Catalyst, Nexus, IOS XE, NX‑OS, VLANs/VRFs, OSPF/BGP, QoS, SD‑WAN, ISE/802.1X).
• Govern Palo Alto firewalls and Zscaler ZIA/ZPA as an integrated perimeter and SASE control plane.
• Design and govern Azure networking, including VNets, subnets, peering, VPN gateways, BGP, DNS and NSGs.
• Provide hands‑on escalation, network‑security operations governance, technical leadership, project delivery and vendor/contract management.

Required profile

• Senior technical authority with extensive experience in enterprise networking, security and hybrid‑cloud environments.
• Proven ability to define architecture, standards and resilience strategies.
• Strong governance and change‑management skills.
• Experience leading projects, managing vendors and handling escalations.

Required skills

• Aruba networking (switches, controllers, access points)
• Cisco enterprise networking (Catalyst, Nexus, IOS XE, NX‑OS, OSPF, BGP, VLANs/VRFs, QoS, SD‑WAN, ISE/802.1X)
• Palo Alto firewalls
• Zscaler ZIA and ZPA
• Azure networking (VNets, subnets, peering, VPN Gateway, BGP, DNS, NSG)
• Structured cabling (copper, fiber, testing, certification)
• Network segmentation, high‑availability design, and security architecture
• Network monitoring, telemetry and automation concepts