General Manager - Data Centre Programme (12 Months' Contract Extendable) at MTN

Responsibilities

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

Project Leadership & Management

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of data centre projects, ensuring alignment with Bayobab’s overall business strategy and goals.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets for all data centre projects.
• Ensure the adherence to project management best practices, quality standards, and safety regulations.
• Identify and manage project risks, issues, and dependencies, providing timely resolution and updates to the CEO and other senior leaders.
• Monitor project performance and generate detailed progress reports for the CEO and other key stakeholders.
• Act as the main point of contact for all data centre project stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and understanding of expectations.
• Lead the integration of green building practices, energy-efficient technologies, and sustainability standards (such as LEED or BREEAM certifications) in the design and operation of data centres.
• Continuously explore and implement innovative solutions for data centre optimization, including advancements in cooling, security, automation, and energy management.
• Ensure data centre initiatives are in line with corporate finance and capital allocation strategies.
• Ensure all data centre projects comply with industry standards, regulations, and certifications such as Uptime Institute Tier Ratings, ISO certifications, data protection laws, and security compliance standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
• Oversee the development of disaster recovery plans and ensure that data centre infrastructure is resilient and capable of maintaining operations during unforeseen disruptions.

Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop project teams, ensuring effective collaboration and high performance.
• Promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within the project team.
• Provide technical guidance and support to project managers and team members across multiple disciplines (engineering, IT, facilities, etc.).
• Coordinate with internal and external vendors, consultants, and contractors to ensure that project requirements are met.

Design & Implementation

• Oversee the design and construction phases of the data centre projects, ensuring that designs meet Bayobab Group’s operational, security, and energy efficiency standards.
• Collaborate with IT, engineering, and operations teams to develop and implement infrastructure solutions.
• Ensure data centre projects adhere to industry standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices in terms of power, cooling, connectivity, and security.
• Implement green initiatives and sustainable practices in the design and operation of data centres.

Budget & Resource Management

• Develop and manage project budgets, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and efficiently.
• Approve and manage procurement processes, ensuring all project materials, tools, and resources are obtained in a timely manner.
• Monitor costs and adjust project scope, timeline, and resources as needed to stay within budgetary constraints.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise directly with the CEO and other executive leaders to provide updates, report progress, and escalate issues where necessary.
• Present business cases, budgets, and progress reports to key stakeholders, including the CEO and other senior leadership teams.
• Ensure stakeholder expectations are managed, and communication remains clear, transparent, and aligned with business objectives.

Role Deliverables

• Develop and execute a multi-year roadmap for Data Centre implementation and expansion, ensuring alignment with business growth objectives.
• Manage the CAPEX & OPEX Budget for data centre business deployment, optimizing OPEX and CAPEX efficiency while scaling revenue streams.
• Lead strategic engagements with hyperscalers, cloud service providers, AI/ML firms, and enterprise customers.
• Ensure timely execution of data centre deployment, expansion, upgrades, and service rollouts by driving a structured, milestone-based delivery framework.

Role Dependencies

• Relationships with key areas and resources across Bayobab 
• Strategic direction and guidance from MTN Group 
• The morale, effectiveness, and co-operation of all associated staff

Qualifications

Job Requirements 
(Education, Experience and Competencies)

Education:

• Minimum 4-years bachelor’s degree in engineering, Project Management, Computer Science, or a related field.
• A master’s degree in project management, Business Administration, or a similar discipline is preferred.
• A PMP (Project Management Professional) or equivalent certification is preferred. LEED or other green building certifications are highly desirable. 
• A certification in data centre management (e.g., CDCP – Certified Data Centre Professional) is also a plus.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in managing complex infrastructure projects and programmes, with at least 5 years focused on data centres.
• Experience managing complex data centre projects across diverse regions is an advantage, especially in markets where Bayobab operates or plans to expand.
• Proven experience in leading large-scale projects in data centre design, construction, and operations.
• Strong experience with project management methodologies, including Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid models.
• Familiarity with industry standards such as Uptime Institute Tier Ratings, ISO certifications, and LEED for sustainability.