Quantum Cryptography Lead Architect

As the Quantum Cryptography Lead Architect at Vodafone, you act as a Subject Matter Expert in Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and drive the organization's transition to quantum-safe security architectures. You report to the Senior Manager and provide strategic and technical leadership for assessing, designing, governing, and migrating cryptographic systems vulnerable to future quantum computing attacks. This is a Group-level role with the opportunity to impact Vodafone's global central platforms and local markets.

What you'll do

• Develop and maintain the enterprise Quantum Safe Architecture Strategy, define target-state architectures for PQC adoption across all technology domains, and establish cryptographic modernization and crypto-agility frameworks
• Create multi-year migration roadmaps aligned with business risk, regulatory requirements, and technology lifecycles, and lead architectural decisions concerning hybrid classical/PQC deployments and transition models
• Lead enterprise cryptographic inventory and discovery initiatives to identify vulnerable cryptographic assets, protocols, certificates, PKI implementations, and dependencies
• Define risk-based prioritization methodologies for migration activities and establish quantum readiness assessment frameworks across technology platforms and suppliers
• Lead security solution design projects and clearly articulate risk mitigation requirements to the business, influencing security strategy at a senior technical level
• Work with the wider cyber security architecture team to design solutions that balance security risk, customer protection, user experience, and business innovation
• Set global security standards for Vodafone across all local markets and global teams
• Assess new suppliers, platforms, and vendor roadmaps from a security perspective to support network strategy and architecture decisions

What you bring

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree
• 10+ years of security architecture or cryptography experience
• Deep understanding of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), TLS/SSL, VPN technologies, Identity and Access Management, Key management systems, Network security architectures, and Cloud security architectures
• Experience designing enterprise-scale security transformations
• Proven ability to influence senior technology and business stakeholders
• Experience working with global vendors and complex technology ecosystems
• Ability to work confidently with architecture, engineering, delivery, and operational teams to embed security into network design and assurance
• Fluent in English

Nice to have

• Direct involvement in PQC or crypto-agility initiatives
• Background in Telecommunications, critical infrastructure, financial services, government, or defence
• Experience leading cryptographic inventories and cryptographic risk assessments
• Participation in industry standards or working groups
• Demonstrable expertise in RSA, ECC, Diffie-Hellman, ECDH, ECDSA, Quantum threats to asymmetric cryptography, NIST PQC algorithms (ML-KEM, ML-DSA, SLH-DSA), Hybrid cryptographic architectures, Crypto-agility principles, Certificate management, Key lifecycle management, Secure software development, Cloud native security, Zero Trust architecture, Secure communications protocols, and PKI modernization programmes

What we offer

• Hybrid work model with 8-10 in-office days per month, managed by team leaders
• Mobile phone, free communication plan, data card, and various discounts on Vodafone services and products
• Recognition programs for innovative, creative, and high-potential employees
• Well-being program offering nutrition and psychological consultations, webinars, workshops, and discounts on various services and products
• Access to Communities of Practice and a customizable digital training platform with content from Harvard Business Publishing, Skillsoft, and Speexx
• Internal recruitment with local and international rotation opportunities across departments and roles

About Vodafone

Vodafone is a leading international telecommunications company serving millions of customers worldwide. The organization empowers people through connectivity, protecting the planet while helping customers do the same, and is committed to building a diverse, inclusive workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and included.