CEO: Digital Platform at MTN

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job
The CEO Digital Platform will be responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining the long-term growth and commercial strategy for Digital in MTN. At this point in time, the MTN Digital business portfolio is run in a hybrid way with functional oversight by the CEO Digital Platform at Group level and operational execution within each MTN operating company. As part of MTN’s strategy Ambition 25, the company is building the vertical messaging/content/ commerce platform Ayoba which will include access to the future digital services portfolio and evolve into an independent line of business. The CEO Digital Platform will therefore be accountable for a pro-forma P&L across all digital services in the OpCos and for the contribution of Digital to the success of Ayoba.

The CEO Digital Platform is responsible for the growth of digital service products and services and oversees business development opportunities. This entails defining the overall strategy and business plan and effective execution of the plans related to Digital Services, as measured by digital sector market share, and product revenue and product margin. The scope of accountability includes overall service/product development, business casing, execution and product lifecycle supporting roadmap definition, execution and performance management of existing products and services through the digital teams within operating companies.

This role is responsible to oversee and manage the following digital portfolios:

• Gaming
• Video & Music
• VAS & CRBT
• OTT Partnerships
• RMS business development
• Health & Education
• Advertising
• As part of the leadership team, the CEO is also responsible to contribute to the comprehensive MTN overall strategic goals, to achieve profitable growth, and to continuously improve the operations performance.

Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's)
Strategy Development and Implementation

• Lead the creation of the functional strategy in line with the overarching business goals
• Ensure effective implementation of the strategy by means of providing direction, structure, frameworks, models, plans and roadmaps
• Oversee regular review of the functional strategy and roadmap to ensure its alignment with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem
• Engage with OpCos and supporting internal stakeholders to develop, formulate a strategy and plan of execution in line with the overarching business goals and strategies as informed by Group / Opco Executives.
• Leverage MTN’s Digital services assets to drive success of the new Ayoba platform
• Ensure effective implementation of the strategy by means of providing direction, support, technical and commercial frameworks, models, roadmaps, partners, and products to the OpCos
• Drive the requirement specification for MTN’s evolving digital technology platforms and ensure delivery via the Group CTIO function and Opco CTIOs
• Identify and assess new opportunities for MTN Group / OPCOs in the Digital space
• Structure and negotiate differentiating partnerships with global and regional digital services leaders and drive roll-out of partnership-based propositions across the MTN Opco footprint

 Staff Leadership and Management

• Build and manage a high performing team by providing leadership, role clarity, training and career development
• Attract, retain and develop a high-performance team of business development, digital channels and services specialist and digital subject matter experts
• Continually develop a culture of strong collaboration and effective team working
• Orchestrate and lead the community of Digital leaders in MTN Opcos, strengthen the local capabilities and drive strategic and executional alignment
• Ensure open communication channels with staff and implement change management interventions where necessary
• Provide definition of roles, responsibilities, individual goals and performance objectives for the team
• Set KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review program
• Develop and implement a training plan in order to build and develop skills within the team
• Encourage knowledge transfer through the implementation of a knowledge transfer plan and drive continuous improvement philosophy through the knowledge transfer plan
• Performance manage resources in accordance with HR policy and legislation where necessary
• Actively participate in leadership team and develop skills of own team
• Promote a ‘MTN centric’ and ‘partnership approach’ to develop strong relationships with other working groups and ensure adherence to Group governance

Operational Delivery

 Functional Leadership:

As the functional leader of the Digital Services vertical, the CEO is accountable to:

• Establish, monitor, and align the direction, strategy and results of the Digital Services Vertical, collectively and as individual work areas
• Lead and drive an integrated global solution development and problem-solving philosophy
• Monitor true-value metrics to measure the impact and benefit of the function. Drive continuous improvement across all sub functions
• Generate visibility for the true-value contributions of the function within Group, Business Leaders and OpCos to drive greater service acceptance and adoption
• Identify and assess M&A and partnership opportunities for MTN in the Digital space
• Drive strategic initiatives as part of the overall MTN leadership

Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's)
Delivery Leadership:

As the delivery leader of the Digital Services vertical, the CEO is accountable for the following work area outcomes:

• New Business Development, Strategic Partnerships and alliance deals
• New and innovative go to market value propositions for Digital
• Review on an ongoing basis the performance of various Digital Channels and the uptake across the Group
• Periodically meet with Opco CEOs in country to understand the propensity for Digital Services in the Opcos and how the Opcos can leverage off Group Digital Services and Channels
• Provide insights and guidance to the team to develop innovative Digital Services and Products which would help MTN become a leader in the market for Digital Services
• Monitor the revenue and P&L for Digital Services across the Group and re calibrate targets and strategy in line with the overall targets set by the organization
• Liaise with the Regional VP offices and through Regional Digital Service Managers drive the use of Digital Services and Channels within the region
• Drive the digital technology platform evolution via the Group CTIO and Opco CTIOs (architecture definition, programme roadmaps, execution monitoring, new platform commercialisation and roll-out)

Digital

• Ensure growth in revenue through product development and definition, and execution and performance management.
• Ensure business development growth by reviewing business plans and cases, including market specific propositions and the supporting implementation and Go to Market (GTM) plans.
• Ensure product marketing efforts and campaigns promote the full suite of traditional digital products and services as well as services from partnerships and strategic alliances
• Oversee the drive and definition of accurate and timely product and category reporting using dynamic dashboards or similar methods
• Ensure the team uses insights in their development of new digital products and services
• Review and sign-off business cases, frameworks, and models for the function

 Governance

Strategic Meetings

• Hold strategic meetings, ensure relevant participation, and provide guidance and input in the various discussions. Solicit feedback and input from opco.
• Drive adequate risk mitigation and controls and elicit inputs from relevant parties
• Provide relevant budget for internal projects
• Prepare proposal on change initiatives, policies and procedures

Function Tactical

• Review all projects initiated (internal or global)
• Review key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions
• Sign-off / make decisions regarding tactical changes
• Chair tactical meetings

Performance

• Monitor and analyse products performance trends from financial, competitive and operational perspectives at Group level and via Opco specific reviews
• Monitor performance and alignment with Group global strategy
• Ensure alignment between and across other functions within the Group team
• Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's)

Budgets

• Manage functional budgets in line with overall business objectives
• Provide guidance and oversight for Opco level Digital budgets
• Manage project initiative budgets in line with business objectives
• Ensure that the cost of operations are reduced, in line with a least cost operating strategy stemming from the business drivers

Reporting

• Report monthly to GCOO relating to progress made in accordance with the implementation of Digital roadmap, Product and Service growth and strategic initiatives
• Report on an ad-hoc basis on specific management requirements as and when necessary
• Prepare documents for Digital roadmap Strategic documents for MTN Group Exco and Group board

Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities

• Accountable for the morale, performance, and development of the function’s human capital
• Approve work structure process before adoption by the team
• Coach and mentor direct reports
• Ensure assigned team is led, motivated, and rewarded to achieve KPA’s
• Ensure that coaching / mentoring programs and personal development plans are in place for all staff members
• Ensure effective management of diversity among personnel in the function
• Identify staff training and development needs and implement necessary actions
• Motivate and manage individuals to perform at the highest level, especially in terms of delivery and meeting target deadlines
• Possess the authority, presence, and integrity to command respect from colleagues and from external contacts
• Provide career development for direct reports (counselling, coaching, identifying key performance areas, career planning, and goal setting)
• Provide guidance and leadership ensuring future focus and current efficiency

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies)
Education:

• Minimum of 4 year tertiary degree (Information Technology, Management, Marketing, Bachelors of science, Engineering or related field)
• MBA or Masters (advantageous)

Experience:

• Minimum 12-15 years of significant / relevant experience in Digital Services, Telecommunication, eCommerce, Internet or Media
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in the Telecom Digital Services environment
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in senior executive management role
• Exceptional leadership and management skills; track record of developing a communication strategy, building relationships across teams and key stakeholders to achieve goals
• Significant experiences in driving innovation, change and new business with a multinational
• Relevant Executive management experience with a regional or global organization
• Track record in developing, building and implementing Digital Services in emerging markets
• Experience in ecommerce and electronic payment business is advantageous
• Entrepreneurial spirit, self-driven and ability to motivate a fast-paced team
• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies
• Pan Africa multi-cultural experience is advantageous
• Abreast of global mind-set and best practice
• English speaker. French, Portuguese, Zulu, Swahili, and other African languages a plus

Competencies:

Functional Knowledge:

• Digital Strategy formulation
• Digital Commercial and Value Proposition development
• Business Development
• Partnership and Alliance management
• Value Added Services
• Digital content, media and/or applications
• Digital Services and Channel Development
• Digital Regulations

 Skills

• Business Acumen
• Analytics and Interpretation
• Strategic Thinking
• Organizational Agility
• Digital mind-set
• Dealing with ambiguity and complexity
• Decision Making
• Conflict Management
• Negotiation
• Financial and Numerical
• Project Management
• People Management
• Executive Presentation