Director of Network Practice

Location: Gloucestershire

Position Summary

As Director of Network Practice at Claranet, you will lead the strategic direction, operational delivery, and product management of our customer-facing network and connectivity services. This senior leadership role is pivotal in shaping Claranet’s network offerings, driving innovation, and ensuring excellence across delivery and product life cycles.

You will be responsible for the management, leadership, and strategy of the Network & Connectivity domain, including Delivery and Network Product Management. Working closely with commercial stakeholders and Group Networks, you will ensure our services remain competitive, secure, and aligned with customer needs.

Role Mission

Claranet’s strategy is to build long-term, trusted relationships with its customers by delivering market-leading, integrated managed services. We are seeking a leader to build and to own the existing and future market-leading multi-solutions portfolio that Claranet offers to customers that enables cross and up sell.

Objectives & Key Results

Strategic Leadership and Commercial Ownership

* Define and execute the strategy for Claranet’s network and connectivity services.

* Own revenue, gross profit, and staffing costs for the Network Practice.

* Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with key vendors (e.g., BT/Openreach, Cisco, Fortinet).

* Inspire and lead cross-functional teams across multiple locations.

Operational Delivery and Service Excellence

* Lead a multi-disciplinary organisation comprising:

* Network Product Management

* Network Delivery and Fulfilment

* Collaborate with the Managed Service and Customer Services Director to define operational expectations, service costs, and fulfilment standards.

Technical Oversight

* Ensure robust and scalable architectures across wired, wireless, virtual/cloud, SD-WAN/SASE, and voice (VoIP) environments.

* Align customer solutions with core infrastructure and automation platforms with Group Networks.

Customer and Stakeholder Engagement

* Act as Executive Sponsor for key accounts within the network portfolio, ensuring satisfaction and retention.

* Proactively support business development through strategic input, competitive service positioning, and customer engagement.

Product Management

* Lead the development and lifecycle management of Claranet’s network and connectivity products.

* Define and evolve product strategy in alignment with customer needs, market trends, and business objectives.

* Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure alignment with core infrastructure and automation platforms.

* Own the roadmap for network services, including wired, wireless, SD-WAN/SASE, and voice offerings.

Position Specifications

Behavioural Competencies – Organisational & Behavioural Fit

* Strategic and commercially minded, with a good understanding of managed IT services.

* Adaptable leader comfortable operating in high-change, high-growth environments.

* Highly accountable and results-oriented, with a track record of delivery in fast-paced organisations.

* Resilient, open to challenge, and willing to constructively navigate conflict or uncertainty.

Critical Competencies – Technical Fit

* Extensive experience in a senior network leadership role in MSP, ISP, or telco environments.

* Proven experience in network design, delivery, and product management.

* Familiarity with UK regulatory obligations and commercial management of network services.

Desirable

* Degree in a relevant technical or business discipline.

* Technical certifications (e.g., CCNP, NSE).

* ITIL, PRINCE2, or equivalent delivery qualifications.

Benefits

At Claranet, we go the extra mile with our people—because we believe in building a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. Our flexible benefits package includes:

* Pension Scheme:
Employer-matched contributions to help you plan for the future.

* Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage:
Access to private medical care for your peace of mind and wellbeing.

* Enhanced Annual Leave: 25 days of holiday, increasing to 27 days with service, plus bank holidays and a day off for your birthday.

* Continuous Learning & Development:
Ongoing opportunities to grow your skills and advance your career.

What…