Job Description

Purpose of the role

The Network Security Lead is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing advanced network security controls to protect organizational assets against evolving threats. This role manages firewalls, intrusion detection systems, segmentation controls, DDI and perimeter security, network access control (NAC), monitoring, and incident response. The Network Security Lead enforces network security policies, standards, and baselines, and drives DevOps and automation initiatives, including CI/CD, configuration management, and Infrastructure as Code. The position partners closely with infrastructure, cloud, and cybersecurity teams, executes high-impact network changes, and manages risk and compliance activities.

Accountabilities

• Design, deploy, and manage firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and network segmentation controls to ensure robust protection across the enterprise.
• Implement and maintain DDI (DNS, DHCP, IPAM) and perimeter security solutions to safeguard network boundaries and critical services.
• Administer network access control (NAC) systems, monitor network activity, and lead incident response efforts for network-related security events.
• Enforce network security policies, standards, and baselines, ensuring consistent application across all environments.
• Lead automation initiatives within the network security domain, utilizing DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, configuration management, and Infrastructure as Code to improve efficiency and reliability.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, cloud, and cybersecurity teams to design and implement integrated security solutions and support complex change management activities.
• Conduct risk assessments, manage compliance with regulatory requirements, and participate in audits related to network security controls.
• Document processes, maintain operational metrics, and produce reports for management and compliance purposes.
• Support incident response and problem management for critical network issues, ensuring rapid resolution and root cause analysis.

Director Expectations

• To manage a business function, providing significant input to function wide strategic initiatives. Contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function and plan, manage and consult on multiple complex and critical strategic projects, which may be business wide..
• They manage the direction of a large team or sub-function, leading other people managers and embedding a performance culture aligned to the values of the business. Or for an individual contributor, they lead organisation wide projects and act as deep technical expert and thought leader, identifying new ways of working and collaborating cross functionally. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions..
• Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function, offering significant input to function wide strategic initiatives.
• Manage, coordinate and enable resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub-function.
• Escalates breaches of policies / procedure appropriately.
• Foster and guide compliance, ensure regulations are observed that relevant processes in place to facilitate adherence.
• Focus on the external environment, regulators, or advocacy groups to both monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays, when appropriate.
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division / Group to achieve the overall business objectives.
• Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline alongside up-to-date relevant sector / functional knowledge, and insight into external market developments / initiatives.
• Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in often complex/ sensitive situations.
• Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and certain strategic decisions or recommendations within own area.
• Negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level both internally and externally.
• Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions/ businesses divisions.
• Mandated as a spokesperson for the function and business division.

All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standa