Network Manager

Habib Bank AG Zurich, a prominent international bank with a strong footprint across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, is seeking a seasoned Network Manager to oversee the design, implementation, and management of its enterprise network infrastructure. This role demands a professional with extensive experience in network architecture, security, and operations to ensure optimal availability, performance, and scalability within a complex banking environment. The successful candidate will lead network initiatives that support business continuity and compliance with industry standards, while driving innovation in network technologies.

Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design, deployment, and management of enterprise LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, and wireless networks across multiple locations.
- Manage and maintain critical network devices such as routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, and access points.
- Ensure network security and compliance with banking regulations and industry standards.
- Monitor network performance, troubleshoot complex issues, and implement proactive measures to minimize downtime.
- Plan and execute network capacity planning, upgrades, and migration projects.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive network documentation, diagrams, policies, and standard operating procedures.
- Manage vendor relationships for network hardware, software, and service providers.
- Lead and mentor a team of network engineers and administrators.
- Collaborate with cross-functional IT teams including Security, Infrastructure, and Applications to align network services with business goals.
- Implement and manage network monitoring tools to ensure 24/7 network availability.
- Drive disaster recovery and business continuity planning related to network services.
- Stay updated with emerging networking technologies and recommend improvements to enhance infrastructure.

Required Qualifications
- Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in network engineering or management, preferably within the banking or financial services sector.
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification is mandatory.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Telecommunications, or a related field.
- Strong expertise in Cisco routing and switching technologies (Catalyst, Nexus, ISR/ASR series).
- Hands-on experience with firewalls such as Cisco ASA, Palo Alto, and Fortinet.
- Proficiency in network protocols including BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, MPLS, and VPN technologies (IPSec/SSL).
- Experience with SD-WAN solutions and cloud networking platforms like AWS and Azure.
- Knowledge of network security frameworks, Network Access Control (NAC), Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS), and Zero Trust architecture.
- Familiarity with network monitoring tools such as SolarWinds, PRTG, Cisco Prime, or similar.
- Understanding of load balancing technologies including F5 and Citrix ADC.
- Experience with VoIP/Unified Communications technologies and wireless networking (Cisco WLC, Meraki).

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits
- Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification is an advantage.
- Experience managing network infrastructure across multi-country banking environments.
- Knowledge of PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, and regulatory compliance requirements specific to financial institutions.
- Experience with hybrid cloud network infrastructure management.
- ITIL certification or familiarity with IT Service Management (ITSM) frameworks.

Soft Skills
- Strong leadership and team management abilities.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Effective communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Ability to work efficiently under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
- Strong documentation and reporting proficiency.

This position offers the opportunity to lead a critical function within a reputable global bank, contributing to the secure and efficient operation of its network infrastructure. Candidates who meet the qualifications and are ready to take on a challenging leadership role in a dynamic banking environment are encouraged to apply.