Global Network Manager - Patching

Global Network Patching Manager – Contract

Location: Leeds, Sheffield, or Manchester
Contract: Initial 3 months, likely extension to 6 months or longer
Working arrangement: Flexible hybrid working, with potential out-of-hours work that can be completed remotely.

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced Global Network Patching Manager to take ownership of a global network patching service within a large, complex enterprise environment.

You will oversee patching activity across three network platforms, ensuring changes are effectively planned, risk-assessed, tested, implemented and reported. This role requires someone with a strong network operations background who can coordinate technical teams, manage operational risk and ensure patching is delivered safely and consistently across multiple regions.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the global network patching strategy, operating model and delivery plan.

• Coordinate three platform patching managers, ensuring consistent delivery and governance.

• Manage the global patching calendar, maintenance windows and cross-platform dependencies.

• Ensure patching aligns with vulnerability management, cybersecurity, availability and change-management requirements.

• Establish and maintain standards for pre-change checks, implementation scripts, post-change validation, rollback procedures and reporting.

• Review high-risk changes, ensuring appropriate testing, evidence and approvals are in place.

• Manage patching exceptions, deferrals, remediation plans and incidents arising from unsuccessful changes.

• Monitor and report on patching compliance, success rates, failed changes, ageing vulnerabilities and operational risks.

• Work closely with Network Operations, Cybersecurity, Change Management, suppliers and regional teams.

• Ensure effective regional handovers and maintenance-window coverage.

• Drive improvements across automation, testing, documentation and operational processes.

What We're Looking For

• Strong experience in enterprise network operations, infrastructure change or network patching management.

• Good technical understanding of routing, LAN, WAN, firewalls and network resilience.

• Experience coordinating production changes across multiple platforms or global regions.

• Strong operational governance, change management and risk-management experience.

• Ability to challenge technical plans, testing approaches and supporting evidence.

• Experience managing incidents and making decisions under pressure.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Ability to lead and coordinate technical teams without needing to be a hands-on specialist across every network technology.