Cranleigh Abu Dhabi
Manager, Network and Security
- Permanent
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Experience 10 - 15 yrs
Job expiry date: 28/10/2026
Job overview
Date posted
13/09/2026
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Salary
Undisclosed
Compensation
Comprehensive package
Experience
10 - 15 yrs
Seniority
Manager
Qualification
Bachelors degree
Expiration date
28/10/2026
Job description
More than 25 owned and managed schools across the UAE rely on this Manager, Network and Security role at Aldar Education, based at the Abu Dhabi headquarters. You manage LAN, MAN and WAN data and communication network infrastructure and security, covering transport media, gateway protocols, firewalls, antivirus, load balancers and satellite or branch office connectivity. Organization-wide standards get established for network, communication and security technologies, keeping infrastructure aligned with the five-year technology roadmap set by the Group Head of IT. Network and security policy gets developed and reassessed on an ongoing basis, with solutions recommended to safeguard internal and external networks. IT Disaster Recovery solutions stay updated, tested and ready to operate correctly during disasters, protecting business continuity across the school group. You act as subject matter expert across network and security technologies including Aruba, Juniper, Cisco, Fortigate and Palo Alto, guiding IT management decisions and supervising system integrators and manufacturers on project delivery. Escalated L2 and L3 technical issues get resolved directly, coordinating with internal and external parties through to closure. Firewall and security policies, configuration standards, VAPT activities and system security audits all sit within scope, keeping every school in the group aligned with Aldar Education's quality standards.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Manage LAN, MAN and WAN network infrastructure and security across data transport, gateways, firewalls and connectivity
- Establish organization-wide standards for network, communication and security technologies
- Align network and security infrastructure with the five-year technology roadmap set by the Group Head of IT
- Develop network and security policy and maintain ongoing assessment of the security environment
- Ensure IT Disaster Recovery solutions are updated, tested and operational during disasters
- Perform proof-of-concept assessments for technology projects such as upgrades and infrastructure replacements
- Act as subject matter expert on network and security technologies, guiding IT management decisions
- Supervise system integrators and manufacturers to design, implement and deliver network and security projects
- Monitor the network and security landscape to ensure alignment with AE standards
- Direct requirement gathering and RFP creation for network and security technologies
- Analyze existing technology and research new solutions to improve performance and security
- Lead network and security analysts, engineers and technicians
- Resolve escalated L2 and L3 technical issues, coordinating with internal and external parties through to closure
- Coordinate security issues with the IT Team and external security consultants
- Conduct system security audits to detect weaknesses per Aldar Education standards
- Plan and guide VAPT activities across the group
- Oversee technical integration of new schools and expansion projects
Experience & skills
- Hold a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics & Communication or Computer Engineering
- Obtain CCNA certification, preferably CCNP
- Carry CCNA Security certification or equivalent
- Complete MCSE certification
- Bring brand-specific certifications such as Aruba or Cisco, a plus
- Demonstrate 12+ years of experience in IT networking, including administration and project management of IT infrastructure
- Show strong knowledge of network protocols, network components, network operating systems and security standards
- Apply hands-on knowledge of installation, modification, maintenance and repair procedures for IT network hardware and software
- Communicate technical and non-technical information clearly across audiences
- Manage project management and vendor management responsibilities effectively