Job Title: Technical Specialist - Network Contract Type: Permanent Location: Office based – Whitbread Court (Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days a week in the office) Salary: Starting from £65,000pa Whitbread, the owner of Premier Inn and some of the UK’s favourite restaurants, processes nearly £2 billion in transactions each year and employs around 40,000 people. As our new Technical Specialist – Network, you’ll play a pivotal role in keeping data secure and ensuring our systems are reliable, high- performing, and continuously improving. With over 1,800 WAN links, 3,000 switches, and 40,000 access points, our network is as vast as our brand. You’ll work with leading technologies like Juniper, Cisco, Meraki, and HP Aruba. Purpose of the role: As the Network Technology expert, you’ll design and configure network solutions to meet performance, security, and scalability needs. You’ll collaborate with stakeholders to develop and maintain networks, overseeing day-to-day operations, cost, and future development. You’ll work with business users to improve network usage in our hotels, restaurants and the Support Centre, ensuring alignment with business goals. Additionally, you’ll review platform performance, driving improvements and maintaining platform resilience with the architecture and engineering teams. Minimum Skills/Experience Required: Proven experience with Software Defined Networking models for network automation on Aruba/ Cisco network configurations and monitoring using APIs and scripting tools, develop scripts to automate using CI/CD pipeline configurations and integrate with other network management tools. Management of CI/CD pipelines. Administer and automate DNS, DHCP, and IPAM (DDI) solutions. Demonstrate strong experience with Aruba network architectures - SD-WAN, Aruba Central, Clear Pass Policy Manager. Strong Experience with Cisco network devices (switching/routing/security) with expertise in routing technologies BGP. SR-MPLS, VRF and Understanding of cloud technologies and design principles. As an individual contributor or member of a project team support successful implementation of networks and automation projects. Provides technical input to the overall architectural and operational discussions around network automation, network design and monitoring/management tools. Maintain a technology roadmap by coordinating tasks and priorities to support the facilitation of technology systems. Ensure alignment with business requirements and monitor progress to support efficient project execution. Knowledge and skills to act independently while guiding and training others on ensuring that IT applications meet required specifications by designing, executing and reporting on tests of systems and services. Experience in provide fault isolation and resolution for complex challenges to limit and address issues promptly. Benefits: Incentive Scheme of up to 30% Holidays: 25 days Private Healthcare: Up to Family Cover Sharesave Scheme Pension Privilege Card Other details Job Function Employee Pay Type Salary