Manager: Data Centre Technical Planning at MTN

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job
The Manager Data Centre Technical Planning will form part of a dedicated, data centre and emissions reduction team who are responsible to implement a clear data centre operating and governance model within MTN to create portfolio visibility, enable greater efficiency and optimize the data centre asset portfolio.This team will support all 20 MTN markets in the realization of the MTN datacentre strategy vision and drive all datacentre decisions,  ultimately supporting the MTN overall strategic ambition to better monetize our infrastructure base, improve efficiencies and deliver savings in the long-term.

This team will also be responsible in overseeing the datacentre budget envelope and will be the operational and technical expertise hub for all related asset category RFP’s, build projects and due diligence, acting at the forefront of initiating sustainable technology change across the datacentre portfolio to further aid MTN in the achievement of parallel climate sustainability.

The role will be responsible for all data centre technical strategy, planning, thought leadership and governance and will be required to develop all data centre technical standards, policy, architecture and best practice as well as support all datacentre facility carve-out efforts and liaise with the 3rd party partner to ensure that all MTN’s internal datacentre requirements are met and proactively managed. This role will be at the forefront of initiating sustainable technologies and will also be accountable to define and implement technical improvement plans and determine data centre demand forecast to close the performance and efficiency gap between MTN and industry best practice. This role will also deliver and drive all required reporting and tracking

Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's)
The Manager: Data Centre Technical Planning will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:

• Deliver data centre technical expertise and governance for the technology category as well as functional expertise to perform any facilities carveout due diligence
• Champion the MTN DC strategy execution and support all DC separation activities
• Lead execution of all related asset category technology RFP’s, build projects and due diligence including business case development
• Identify and implement sustainable technology change across the datacentre portfolio to further aid MTN in the achievement of parallel climate sustainability and ensure readiness to support new technologies
• Support on portfolio special projects e.g., workload migration to cloud, demand forecast, business case definition
• Provide specialised input into data centre governance forum to improve portfolio performance and make big DC investment decisions on an on-going basis
• Create DC technical standards, policy, architecture and best practice
• Assess and improve DC and infrastructure portfolio performance e.g., PUE as well as improved NW and IT availability
• Carryout business continuity and energy efficiency processes and ensure technical integrity
• Define and implement remaining DC asset optimization plan across Group
• Provide input into the DC CAPEX budget, DC ROIC – working with 3rd party partner to define way-forward and collaborations
• Support and manage all 3rd party partnerships and drive new partnership discussions, identifying opportunities to optimize the data centre asset portfolio through acquisitions, disposals and partnerships
• Establish and maintain long term technical plans across the portfolio and for each operating company
• Drive all project and category related reporting and tracking required
• Drive technology evolution to reduce cost of ownership and improve performance according to business needs
• Benchmark the data centre portfolio against industry best practice
• Develop plans to close performance and efficiency gaps between MTN and industry best practice

Key Deliverables

• Data centre technical expertise and governance
• MTN DC strategy execution and support all DC separation activities
• Data centre technology RFP’s, build projects and due diligence including business case development
• Long term data centre technical performance improvement and optimization plan for each operating company
• Migration to cloud execution and implementation
• Sustainable technology catalogue and implementation plan
• MTN data centre technical policy, standards and guidelines based on industry best practices
• Data centre portfolio demand modelling forecasting and special projects
• Performance and utilisation benchmark reports
• Technology risk assessment reports and improvement/evolution plans
• 3rd party vendor management
• Role Dependencies
• Active support from the Group CTIO; Executive: Network Design and Planning; SM Infrastructure and Facilities
• Inputs/support and collaboration from in-country network data centre and technology teams and C-suite/ executives
• Deep understanding of the MTN business strategy and the datacentre environment
• Understanding of the OpCo technology, business and regulatory context
• Timely decision making and reporting
• Alignment of OpCo and Group strategy initiatives
• Collaboration from DC 3rd party partners and suppliers

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies)

Education:

• Minimum of 4 year academic degree in Telecommunication, Electronic or Mechanical Engineering
• MBA or Masters advantageous
• Fluent in English;
• Fluent in French and Arabic (advantageous)

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years relevant sector/industry/area of specialisation (data centre technology and telecommunication expertise would be advantageous)
• 3-5 years managerial experience or experience working in a consulting environment
• Experience in working across diverse cultures and geographies (advantageous)
• Experience working in a medium to large ICT / Telecommunications organisation

Competencies:

• Core technical infrastructure competencies and data centre acumen to manage the maturation of the MTN data centre portfolio with proven track record
• Detailed knowledge on the international telecommunication industry with regard to latest industry trends and competitive landscape within the MTN footprint
• Excellent interpersonal skills and business acumen
• Effectively manage people, processes and projects to maximize efficient work within the central datacentre function
• Innovation to improve value and efficiency
• Effective team management skills and the ability to coach, mentor and motivate a team of technical professionals
• Ability to identify key issues in a situation and to think creatively and strategically in facing internal and external challenges.
• Very strong oral and written communication
• Excellent public relations skills to be able to function across multiple business lines in a multicultural environment
• Exceptional networking skills to build professional relationships
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills to efficiently manage partners, customers and colleagues
• Excellent structure and organisation skills
• Sound judgment, decision-making abilities and attention to detail
• Strong computer literacy with proficiency in MS Excel, Word and Power-Point
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good stakeholder management and relationship building

Other:

• Regional and International Travel obligations
• Collaboration (Formal and Informal Relationships)

Responsibility towards:

• Key customers: MTN OpCos, Group Technology, 3rd party partners, Cross Collaborative teams within MTN ( Group Finance, Strategy, M&A, Commercial
• Key suppliers: Key Technology Partners, Alliance Stakeholders, Relevant Industry Bodies