Network Manager

We are looking for an experienced enterprise network specialist with significant practical experience in network engineering, operations or infrastructure management, ideally at senior engineer, technical lead or manager level. You will bring strong hands-on capability in complex network infrastructure, including routing, switching, Ethernet fabric technologies, segmentation, perimeter security, VPN/remote access, monitoring and network resilience, alongside advanced firewall expertise; experience with Palo Alto Networks and/or Extreme Networks would be particularly valuable. You will be confident leading complex incidents, root-cause analysis and major changes in live environments, translating high-level requirements and diagrams into practical designs, service standards and well-governed delivery plans.

Just as important, you will be a clear communicator and supportive manager who can lead, mentor and develop specialist engineers while building trusted relationships with IT colleagues, cyber security, suppliers and non-technical stakeholders. Experience of supplier management, technical contracts, procurement input, lifecycle planning and budget recommendations will help you succeed, as will a relevant professional qualification, certification or equivalent professional experience and a commitment to continuing professional development. We also welcome candidates who can bring experience of automation, telemetry, Zero Trust/SASE/ZTNA, disaster recovery or public-sector, charity, research, education or visitor-facing environments.

The salary for this position is £46,556 - £53,882 per annum [Band E]

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

As Network Manager at RBG Kew, you will play a pivotal role in keeping the digital foundations of our world-renowned science, collections, gardens and visitor operations secure, resilient and future-ready. Leading the Network Operations Team, you will be both a hands-on technical authority and an inspiring people manager, responsible for the design, operation and continual improvement of our enterprise network, perimeter security, VPN/remote access, monitoring and resilience services across a complex, multi-site and public-facing environment. This is a distinctive opportunity to shape services that support internationally important research, horticulture, public engagement and commercial activity, while helping Kew make the most of secure, reliable digital infrastructure. Interviews are due to take place on w/c 22 June. This role is based at Kew with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth. We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history. Join us on our journey as protectors of the world's plants and fungi., At Kew, our strength lies in the diversity of our people and the insights they bring. When you join us, you will find an organisation that values your perspective and lived experience. You will receive support to achieve your full potential and access opportunities to develop and progress. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is ongoing, shaped by the people who work here and the communities we serve.