First Point Group is recruiting for a Head of Core Network Solutions from the UK telecoms market. This is an exciting opportunity to drive next-generation communication solutions across the Public Services sector within the area of Mission-Critical Networks / Mission Critical Solutions for our client, a global telecoms technology company.
PLEASE NOTE - sponsorship cannot be provided. Candidates must live in the UK with valid rights to work.
This is a full-time permanent and hybrid-role based out of Berkshire region.
The successful candidate will have 15+ years of experience which includes a strong end-to-end understanding of 4G / 5G core technologies (Voice, Video & Data services). You will have a blend of senior leadership experience (technical solutions and people-management) and customer engagement to oversee the following end-to-end function: solution design > integration > testing > acceptance > operational readiness.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing Mission Critical Solutions business focused on delivering next-generation communications solutions across the Public Services sector. As the senior technical authority, you will lead the end-to-end delivery of complex Mission Critical solutions, working alongside senior leadership to drive solution strategy, customer engagement and technical delivery across large-scale, multi-vendor telecommunications environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a team of Solution Managers responsible for multiple technical domains.
- Provide leadership to the Engineering Manager and teams responsible for testing, operations and continuous service improvement.
- Own the end-to-end technical solution from customer engagement through solution design, integration, testing, acceptance and operational readiness.
- Act as the primary technical interface for customers, building trusted relationships and ensuring technical requirements are successfully delivered.
- Coordinate technical delivery across internal teams, third-party vendors and integration partners.
- Drive solution architecture, validation and acceptance, ensuring business, functional and non-functional requirements are achieved.
- Oversee test strategy, defect management and operational readiness to deliver stable, high-quality solutions.
- Identify, manage and mitigate technical risks, dependencies and delivery issues throughout the project lifecycle.
- Provide governance, reporting and technical leadership to senior stakeholders.
- Champion continuous improvement across delivery methodologies, technical processes and cross-functional collaboration.
Required Experience
- Minimum 15 years' experience within the telecommunications industry, including senior technical leadership or solution delivery roles.
- Strong end-to-end understanding of 4G/5G Core technologies, including Voice, Video and Data services.
- Proven experience designing and delivering large-scale, multi-vendor telecommunications solutions.
- Extensive leadership experience delivering Core Network Functions across virtualised and containerised environments.
- Strong understanding of 3GPP standards and Mission Critical Services (MCX, MCPTT, MCVideo and MCData).
- Demonstrated experience leading Solution, Engineering, Test and Support teams within complex delivery programmes.
- Experience acting as the senior technical authority in customer-facing environments.
- Strong governance, programme risk management and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience engaging executive-level customers and partners.
- Engineering degree in Telecommunications, Computer Science, Electronics or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
Technical Skills
- 4G EPC & 5G Core
- IMS, VoLTE & VoNR
- Mission Critical Services (MCX, MCPTT, MCVideo & MCData)
- 3GPP Standards
- Virtualised & Cloud-Native Core Networks (VNFs/CNFs)
- Multi-vendor Telecom Integration
- Voice, Video & Data Services
- Test Strategy & Operational Readiness
- Technical Governance & Risk Management
- Solution Architecture
- Public Safety & Mission Critical Communications
- GSMA NESAS & Common Criteria
Ideal Background
This opportunity would suit experienced Solution Directors, Technical Directors, Head of Solution Delivery, Head of Core Networks, Principal Solution Architects or Mission Critical Communications leaders who have delivered complex Core Network and Mission Critical programmes within telecom vendors, mobile operators, systems integrators or public safety organisations. Experience delivering multi-vendor solutions across 4G/5G Core, IMS and Mission Critical Services would be highly advantageous.
What's on Offer
- Opportunity to lead strategic Mission Critical telecommunications programmes across the Public Services sector.
- Leadership role owning end-to-end technical solution delivery.
- Exposure to cutting-edge 4G/5G Core and Mission Critical technologies.
- Collaborative international environment working alongside senior technical and commercial leadership.
- Opportunity to lead high-performing Solution, Engineering and Delivery teams across complex, business-critical telecommunications projects.
