Principal - Technical Operations Authority (TOA)

Job Description

Job Req ID: 56917

Posting Date: 13/03/26

Function: Network Engineering

Location: Manchester, Sheffield or Brimingham – Frequent travel to customer sites in Preston and Barrow-in-Furness will also be required

Why this job matters

You will lead technical strategy, oversee complex projects, and build high-performing teams to help clients and the business achieve their operational and commercial goals.

Acting as the senior life authority, you’ll collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure stability while optimising network operations for Managed Service customers. You’ll play a key role in driving innovation, improvement, and growth across a diverse customer base of over 2,000 organisations.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead and direct network engineering teams in delivering design, build, testing, maintenance, and ongoing support across complex, multi-vendor environments.
• Define technical strategy and product roadmaps, shaping policies, procedures, and best practices to align with organisational and information systems goals.
• Own end-to-end technical delivery across the project lifecycle, from scoping and proposal development to benefits realisation, ensuring quality, cost, schedule, and support readiness are met.
• Manage a portfolio of complex projects and incidents, proactively mitigating risks, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement.
• Develop and mentor high-performing teams while strengthening client relationships and delivering secure, resilient network and cloud infrastructure solutions.

The skills you’ll need

Network ArchitectureStakeholder ManagementTechnical ReportingDecision MakingGrowth Mindset

What we would like to see on your CV

• A customer-focused mindset with a proactive approach to delivering high-quality, reliable service in managed services or live 24/7 environments.
• Experience leading teams through transformation and continuous improvement, fostering collaborative, cross-functional ways of working.
• Ability to shape strategy and drive innovation, applying Agile and DevOps practices across the full lifecycle from concept to delivery.
• Confident decision-making skills, with sound judgement, integrity, and the ability to navigate complex challenges and resolve issues constructively.
• Technical expertise in networking (e.g. CCNP or equivalent, ITIL knowledge) with deep understanding of multi-vendor and software-defined environments, and the ability to communicate complex concepts to senior stakeholders.

Benefits

At BT, we entertain, educate, and empower millions of people every single day. We’re a brand built on connecting people – whether that’s friends, family, businesses, or communities. Working here, you’ll receive an attractive salary and a range of competitive benefits, but – more than that – you’ll be joining an ambitious organisation with a culture of togetherness, collaboration, and inclusivity, that takes a genuine and proactive interest in your progress and development.

• 15% on target annual bonus
• Private Healthcare for self & family
• Company car or £5,500 cash alternative
• X4 Salary Life Assurance
• BT Pension scheme, minimum 5% employee contribution, BT contribution 10%
• 25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service
• From January 2025, equal family leave: receive 18 weeks at full pay, 8 weeks at half pay and 26 weeks at the statutory rate. It’s for all parents, no matter how your family is made up.
• Enhanced women’s health support: including help with menopause symptoms, cancer screenings, period care and more.
• 24/7 private virtual GP appointments for UK colleagues
• 2 weeks paid carer’s leave
• Huge range of flexible benefits including Cycle to Work, Healthcare, Season Ticket Loan, Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice
• World-class training and development opportunities
• Discounted broadband, mobile and TV package
• Access to 100’s of retail discounts including the BT shop

Flexible Working
This role offers a 3 together, 2 wherever working model. This means you are required to be at your contractual location 3 days a week with 2 flexible days per week.

With over 175 years of heritage, BT is now the flagship business brand of BT Group. We’ve brought together our best people and capabilities into a B2B powerhouse serving 1.2 million business customers internationally.

We’re a global leader for secure connectivity and collaboration platforms for businesses of all shapes and sizes, from big household names and government departments, right through to sole traders and new start-ups. But it’s not just the technology that matters, it’s what it can do to help them build stronger, smarter, more secure businesses.

We value diversity and inclusion and believe in making a positive impact. We connect for good by championing digital inclusion and equipping people, businesses, and communities with digital skills to thrive.

As a member of our team, you will be part of an organisation that celebrates difference, fosters innovation and provides you with opportunities to be your best. With millions of businesses relying on us daily, joining BT means you can be part of a diverse and multi-skilled team that makes a significant impact to society.

A FEW POINTS TO NOTE:

Although these roles are listed as full-time, if you’re a job share partnership, work reduced hours, or any other way of working flexibly, please still get in touch.

We will also offer reasonable adjustments for the selection process if required, so please do not hesitate to inform us.

DON'T MEET EVERY SINGLE REQUIREMENT?

Studies have shown that women and people who are disabled, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse or from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification and criteria. We're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone can be their best, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement on the Job Description, please apply anyway - you may just be the right candidate for this or other roles in our wider team.