Contact information For more information please contact Liam O'Connell liam.oconnell@nhs.net About the role The Network Specialist will be a key member of the Digital Services team, responsible for ensuring the availability, performance, and resilience of the Trust s network infrastructure across all sites and services. This includes maintaining the security, reliability, and scalability of the Trust s wired and wireless networks, enabling clinical and corporate systems to operate efficiently and securely. The role involves managing, maintaining, and continuously improving the Trust s network architecture in line with best practice, NHS Digital standards, and organisational strategy. The post holder will provide expert technical advice and operational support on all aspects of network design, implementation, and troubleshooting, ensuring that connectivity and infrastructure support the safe delivery of patient care. Working closely with other Digital Services teams, the Network Specialist will play a vital role in the transition to the new hybrid network operating model, collaborating with external partners and internal teams to build a robust and sustainable environment. The post holder will also contribute to network-related cyber and resilience activities, ensuring compliance with relevant frameworks such as the DSP Toolkit and Cyber Essentials Plus. The successful candidate will lead the implementation of network enhancements, support incident response and root cause analysis, and maintain documentation and monitoring systems to uphold the performance, availability, and integrity of the Trust s network estate. Main duties Monitor, maintain, and optimise the Trust s network infrastructure, including switches, routers, wireless controllers, firewalls, and load balancers, ensuring high availability and performance across all sites. Implement and manage network configurations, VLANs, and routing protocols in line with Trust architecture and security policies. Troubleshoot and resolve complex network incidents, working closely with internal teams and external partners to restore services efficiently and minimise disruption to clinical and business operations. Collaborate with Cyber Operations to ensure network security controls (e.g., firewalls, segmentation, intrusion prevention) are correctly configured and maintained. Participate in resilience planning, including disaster recovery and business continuity exercises, ensuring network components meet required redundancy and failover standards. Assist in vulnerability management activities by reviewing and remediating network-related findings. Maintain compliance with NHS Digital, DSP Toolkit, and Cyber Essentials Plus standards as they apply to network operations. Essential person specification requirements Educated to degree level or equivalent or able to demonstrate equivalent level of experience Previous work experience in the NHS Previous experience of working in large enterprise networks Previous experience of managing staff Extensive experience of setting up and configuring cyber systems and associated functionality Significant knowledge of working practices within technical/cyber security Significant experience of Cisco networking hardware Experience of LAN, WLAN troubleshooting, implementation and management Working with suppliers Defining Trust security requirements and interpreting them to system suppliers Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications Be part of MY team We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work. We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust. If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day. Application guidance: We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form. Our benefits Access to the NHS pension plan Generous holiday allowance of 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with 5 and 10 years of service Exceptional employee health and wellbeing services Extensive benefits and support, including: Onsite nurseries and childcare salary sacrifice scheme Cycle to work scheme Home electronics scheme Car lease salary sacrifice scheme Working carers support and advice, carers network and carers passport Flexible working options and family and carer-friendly policies Established staff networks, including LGBTQ and Race Equality Career progression, training and support Skilled worker sponsorship You can find out more about skilled worker and health and care visas on our careers site .