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VodafoneThree Senior Manager Autonomous Networks, AI and Orchestration Enablement
Aggregate function: Technology
Business Area: Local Technology Networks
Posting Country: United Kingdom
Full Time / Part Time: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Newbury or London + Hybrid
Salary: Excellent basic salary plus bonus and Vodafone benefits
Working hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week – Monday to Friday
Hybrid working allows team members to work from the office 2‑3 days each week, balancing flexibility with collaboration.
What you’ll do
This role leads VodafoneThree’s strategic direction for Autonomous and Intent‑driven Networks, Service Orchestration and AI enablement, guiding the network towards future‑ready, digitally enabled, and operationally efficient operations. You will manage a small team of domain experts, drive cross‑functional collaboration across Network Engineering, Development & Infrastructure, Operations, commercial stakeholders and external partners, and influence the definition of a transformation roadmap aligned with TM Forum AI and automation certification.
* Lead and upskill a team of domain experts to define and evolve the long‑term strategy and transformation roadmap for the introduction of Autonomous Network and service orchestration, with a detailed plan to achieve TM Forum AI and automation certification.
* Engage with Network Directors and senior stakeholders across the business to build consensus around the AI and automation transformation roadmap, gain approval for the relevant business cases, and influence complex technical topics related to Service orchestration and Network Automation, ensuring strategic alignment and executive sponsorship.
* Develop future‑state solution architectures for the integration of heritage Vodafone and Three data, tools and OSS systems that enable intelligent automation, predictive operations, and digital service delivery across the network.
* Select optimal solutions to meet Joint Business Plan (JBP) targets and enable simplification.
* Collaborate with senior leads in NS&T, business stakeholders in Corporate Strategy, Enterprise and Consumer teams to ensure digital and automation strategies are embedded in Network Evolution Plan and customer‑facing solutions.
* Drive ecosystem development across technology partners, vendors, and internal teams to accelerate delivery of scalable, interoperable Autonomous Network and service orchestration solutions, while providing vendor selection frameworks and strategic options to solution teams to ensure alignment with architectural principles and commercial value.
Who you are
* Expertise in Network Automation, Data and solution architecture for Autonomous and Intent‑driven Networks and Service Orchestration, AI/ML platforms, and AI applications within a telecoms environment.
* Extensive experience in end‑to‑end strategic planning and architecture governance for digital transformation programmes.
* Strong understanding of vendor ecosystems, open APIs, and cloud‑native solutions.
* Experience in legacy platform migration, automation frameworks, and AI‑driven operations.
* Familiarity with investment planning processes and how architecture informs long‑term forecasting.
* Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at Director and Executive levels.
* Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams and collaborate across technology, commercial, and operational domains.
* Knowledge of regulatory and compliance frameworks relevant to OSS and data‑driven operations.
What we offer
We care about our people’s success by offering great pay, bonuses, up to 28 days off plus bank holidays, paid time for charity work, and a range of benefits tailored to you and your family, including discounts, vouchers, a pension plan, and learning tools. Our parental leave policies are top‑notch.
Need to Know
We are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority; all offers of employment for this role are subject to background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks to meet regulator standards. If you require reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request, please see the Accessibility section of our Careers website for guidance.
During the interview, we want you to rely on your own knowledge and skills to show us who you really are—your personality, creativity, and abilities. Above all, we’re looking for authenticity.
EEO Statement
Vodafone is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the very best people by offering a motivating and inclusive workplace in which talent is truly recognised and rewarded. We are committed to promoting Inclusion for All with the belief that diversity plays an important role in the success of our business.
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