Professional History
Experience.
A comprehensive record of global leadership, infrastructure transformation, and strategic technical execution.
Education & Heritage
Mayo College Alumnus
Batch of 2000 | Durga Das House
Connects to a high-value alumni network
Current Strategic Mandate
Head of Global Networks (PepsiCo)
Leading Network Strategy 2028
Directing the global transformation of infrastructure into a self-healing, AI-driven, and Zero Trust-enabled ecosystem.
Strategic Key Projects
Network Strategy 2028
Leading the global vision for self-healing, AI-driven infrastructure.
Global Zscaler Migration
Securing 60,000+ users through cloud-edge Zero Trust architecture.
Dallas Data Center (DDC)
Strategic design and architecture for high-capacity global data center operations.
NA Site Modernisation
Transforming 800+ North American sites from legacy MPLS to DIA.
Apr 2023 - Present
PepsiCo
IT/OT ConvergenceNetwork StrategyDevNetOpsAIOpsSRE
Senior Director - Strategy & Transformation (Global Infrastructure, Cloud & Operations)
Hyderabad, Telangana, India (Hybrid)
- Leading the global network strategy and IT/OT convergence, spearheading the 'Network Strategy 2028' vision to modernize legacy systems into a secure, resilient, and AI-driven ecosystem.
- Built a global function from scratch, embedding DevNetOps, AIOps, and SRE practices while driving IT/OT modernization across plants and industrial sites globally.
- Established governance models and strengthened vendor accountability, ensuring measurable improvements in reliability and efficiency for one of the world's largest Fortune 50 companies.
Jun 2019 - Mar 2023
GUS Education India
GCC LeadershipDigital TransformationCRM ModernizationCloud Migration
Sr. Director – IT India & Global CTO
Greater Hyderabad Area
- Set up and scaled India’s GCC from inception, building high-performing teams delivering infrastructure, apps, cloud, and digital platforms.
- Defined and rolled out digital transformation strategy, including CRM modernization, cloud migration, and EdTech enablement to strengthen student engagement and global operations.
- Drove IT governance, talent strategy, and global service delivery across multiple geographies.
May 2018 - Jun 2019
Diebold Nixdorf
Global Network LeadershipWAN TransformationNetwork Strategy
Global Director – Network & Telecom Services
Hyderabad Area, India
- Led global network and telecom services, driving large-scale WAN transformation and modernizing enterprise connectivity.
- Directed multi-regional engineering and delivery teams, strengthened vendor ecosystems, and delivered resilient, scalable, and cost-optimized network solutions for enterprise and retail clients.
Jul 2016 - May 2018
Diebold Nixdorf
Converged Infra ServicesData Center OpsSLA Compliance
Lead – Converged Infra Services
Greater Hyderabad Area
- Oversaw converged infrastructure services, managing enterprise networks, data centers, and security operations.
- Consolidated service delivery models across regions, improved uptime, and embedded automation into core operations while ensuring SLA compliance for critical clients.
Jun 2014 - Jul 2016
Diebold Nixdorf
Global IT OperationsTransition ManagementGlobal Governance
Network Lead – Global IT
Greater Hyderabad Area
- Transitioned global IT infrastructure operations to India, establishing a high-performing delivery hub and embedding global governance.
- Built frameworks for hybrid operations across geographies, standardized delivery, and enabled efficiency through automation and optimized support models.
Feb 2013 - Jul 2014
Microsoft
Network OperationsService ReliabilitySix SigmaIncident Management
Senior Service Operations
Hyderabad Area, India
- Led and managed global network operations for one of the world’s largest enterprise IT estates, ensuring uptime across multi-region data centers.
- Drove incident reduction, stability improvements, and Six Sigma-led efficiency initiatives.
- Integrated advanced infra components while embedding predictive monitoring and proactive incident management.
- Awarded 'IT Excellence' for exemplary delivery during Q2 FY14.
Mar 2011 - Feb 2013
Aricent Group
Integration ConsultingNBN FoundationJuniper/Cisco
Engineering Project Lead - TELSTRA
Greater Melbourne Area
- Lead Integration Consultant for Telstra, Australia, leading a team of Network Specialists in varied domains.
- Responsible for defining the integration process for introducing new solutions into production and ensuring test compliance.
- Designed and configured testing lines with equipment including Juniper MX960, EX8208, 7200, 4900, CRS-1, 3550, 3750, ME 3600X for NBN Foundation Network migration.
- Engaged test environment managers for design baseline endorsement and provided design feedback to architects.
Nov 2010 - Mar 2011
Aricent Group
Offshore OperationsCPE ValidationCisco Switching
Engineering Project Lead - CSS-NCIS
Gurugram, India
- Project Lead for a billion-dollar French ISP account (SFR), leading offshore operations for testing and validating multi-vendor CPE(s).
- Technical lead for network data provisioning, configuration, and troubleshooting of Cisco Routers and Switches.
- Facilitated new hire orientation and technical training; exhibited cross-functional collaboration and analytical competence.
Nov 2005 - Nov 2010
Cisco Systems
Business IntelligencePredictive AnalysisNetwork Profiling
Sr. Business Analyst
Gurugram, India
- SME/DE/Business Analyst for Cisco Services Technology Group. Led smart services delivery and customer-facing engagements.
- Managed network disruption and feature complexities for Network Analytics Interface, a smart portal for predictive analysis.
- Conducted analytical/statistical research on network profiling for Cisco's Critical Accounts to improve performance and products.
Sep 2005 - Nov 2006
Convergys
Cisco TACRouting & SwitchingSoftware Defects
Network Operations Specialist (CISCO TAC)
Gurugram, India
- Designed and implemented diverse networking protocols and platforms in Routing and Switching domains.
- Resolved high-end cases and mentored new employees on practices and technology training.
- Investigated software defects and used recreation of customer networks to resolve issues hands-on.
Jan 2004 - Nov 2005
IBM
NIS EngineeringWAN Site EngineeringPhysical Connectivity
NIS (Network Integrated Services) Engineer
Greater Delhi Area
- Troubleshooting and commissioning lease line & ISDN lines using Ascom/RAD modems and Cisco Routers for leading customers.
- Implemented physical connectivity and worked as WAN Site Engineer (NMS Team) for Taj Hotels, Delhi.
- Coordinated with core and POP teams for routing and connectivity issues.
Jun 2003 - May 2004
Reliance Communications
Network AuditingLAN/WAN IntegrationVLAN/Switching
Network Engineer
New Delhi
- Managed day-to-day operations for Reliance IT including VLANs, switch configuration, and port security in LAN environments.
- Contributed to network auditing and planning on projects assigned by Corporate IT.
- Implementation and troubleshooting around LAN/WAN integration.
Media & Thought Leadership
Showcases & Interviews
Cisco Showcase Podcast
Featured by Cisco as a top-tier customer for leading PepsiCo’s IT/OT convergence and self-healing network transformation.
ET CIO Video Interview
Conversation: 'ETCIO in Conversation with Rajat Arora – India CTO, GUS Education' on infrastructure innovation.
CIO Review India
Featured for driving innovation in digital transformation across multi-regional ecosystems.
Speaking & Panels
Global WAN Summit, Singapore
Public Speaker on 'Transforming the Network: From What You Have to What You Need'.
StrategINK EdTech Panel
Representing the Ed-Tech community as a panelist on innovation and performance design.
Awards & Recognition
CIO & Leader National Winner
Winner of the national case study workshop on “Building a Secure Connected Digital Workplace”, among 50+ CIOs and CTOs (Aug 2020).
Felicitation by Tata Communications