Managing Director - Bayobab FibreCo South Africa at MTN

Key Performance Areas: 

Key Deliverables

The Managing Director will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Build a compelling and innovative Opco strategy that reinforces the current patron base and attracts a wider variety of new patrons; to ensure a sustained economic value driven business 
• Leverage the scale of MTN and Bayobab to deliver future commercial benefits with a view to rapidly improve commercial performance within the next 2 years 
• Lead the creation of the OpCo strategy, in collaboration with functional leads, aligning it with the overarching Group mandate
• Oversee implementation of the strategy by means of providing OpCo-wide direction, structure, frameworks, models, plans and roadmaps
• Lead regular review of the OpCo strategy and roadmap to ensure its alignment with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem. Ensure that the same is cascaded to the functional leads

Staff Leadership and Management

• Build and manage a high performing team by providing leadership, role clarity, training and career development 
• Source, induct and manage talent in accordance with legislative guidelines
• Continually develop a culture of strong collaboration and effective team working
• 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
• Performance manages resources in accordance with HR policy and legislation where necessary
• Actively participate in leadership team and develop skills of own team
• Promote a ‘partnership approach’ to develop strong relationships with other working groups and ensure adherence to Group governance

Governance 

Strategic Meetings

• Chair the executive committee to align on strategic goals and key operational decisions 
• Serve on the board of OpCo FiberCo to ensue board mandates and shareholder objectives are met 
• Lead strategic meetings, ensure relevant participation and provide guidance and input in the various discussions 
• Lead OpCo wide transformation initiatives, elicit inputs from relevant parties
• Lead strategy development and implementation of adequate risk mitigation and controls across all functions
• Oversee evaluation baseline of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and KPIs
• Approve new initiatives & projects in the Opco
• Approve proposals on change initiatives SLA, policies and procedures where required

Escalations

• Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource impact to the Board/Chief Fibre Officer/ CEO
• Manage and provide solutions to escalations that have multiple processes / functions impact on critical path of service delivery

Function Tactical

• Review all projects initiated in the OpCo
• Review and finalise objectives, targets and budgets for the OpCo
• Review key risks, issues and dependencies and monitor mitigation actions taken by the different functions 
• Manage budgets and oversee compliance
• Provide approval regarding tactical changes, when required
• Chair tactical meetings, when required

Performance

• Monitor performance and alignment with global strategy
• KPI approval and exception performance review 

Reporting                                                      

• Report on a monthly basis to the Board, Chief FibreCo and Bayobab CEO relating to progress made within the OpCo and in accordance with the measurement metrics set by the organisation
• Report on an ad hoc basis on specific projects, as required

Budgets

• Develop and manage OpCo’s budgets in line with business objectives
• Analyse and approve initiatives aiming the cost of operations are reduced, in line with a least cost operating strategy stemming from the business drivers
• Operational Delivery

Overall Leadership:            

As the leader of all the functions across the OpCo, the role is accountable to:

• Establish, monitor and align the direction, strategy and results of the functions, collectively and as individual work areas in the OpCo
• Manage and drive revenue growth and EBIDTA in line with board and shareholder expectations. 
• Manage revenue portfolio.
• Lead and drive an integrated solution development and problem-solving philosophy across the functions. Guide functional leads to further cascade it in their respective functions
• Oversee functional monitoring of true-value metrics to measure the impact and benefit of each function to the OpCo and in turn, Bayobab. Lead continuous improvement across all functions 
• Owner of partnerships and alliances for all key strategic priority areas in the OpCo
• Serve as the face of the OpCo and liaise with all key external stakeholders
• Participate in key seminars / forums as the brand ambassador for Bayobab and respond to strategic queries on the business
• Drive Corporate and Social responsibility

Delivery Leadership: 

• As the delivery leader of the OpCo, the role is accountable for the following work area outcomes:

Strategy, Governance & Reporting

• Create value for MTN & Bayobab with key external stakeholders (regulator, government, etc) in order influence public policy decisions 
• Inspire confidence with the investor community and enhances the company reputation when dealing with stakeholders and media 
• Cascade the Group’s functional strategies to the OpCo and ensure that all functional leads embed the same within their respective functions
• Deliver agreed business goals in accordance with overall business strategy with a high focus quality of service and customer experience
• Responsible for governance and compliance to national regulations and internal best practices
• Deliver results under the guidance of the Board, Chief FibreCo Officer and Bayobab CEO, abiding by all the set directives and regularly reporting compliance

Functional Operations

• Provide overall direction by identifying new opportunities, analysing changes in the competitive landscape, analysing trends, costs, forecasts and implementing them for business value add
• Lead and manage the Go-To-market strategy in line with overall strategy
• Work with the regional sales teams to maximize operational efficiencies & sales 
• Strategic management of the overall financial performance of each product and commercial expenses by analysing and controlling financial reports, creating and administering commercial budgets
• Ensure all relevant activities, trends, revenues and costs are reported on effectively for governance and business purposes
• Manage and prioritise decisions to maximise return on investment capital and implement cash upstreaming measures in line with expectations 
• Partner with risk& compliance and legal & regulatory functions to ensure that the company is protected from any risk emanating from non-compliance to legal statutes, attack from malicious practices etc
• Monitor and approve technology roadmaps for the short to long term, ensuring that standards, processes and policies set forth by the Group Technology team are duly complied with by the function
• Directly oversee all Corporate Secretarial activities, ensuring that the Opco maintains the highest standards of Corporate governance and regular business heath is reported to shareholders and internal stakeholders
• Build and maintain strategic relationships within the industry and in local regulatory / legislative bodies
• Represent OpCo in seminars and external forums 

Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities

• Accountable for the morale, performance, and development of the Opco’s human capital
• Align function’s values with Bayobab’ s brand values
• Coach and mentor direct reports and manage Exco members 
• Ensure adequate succession planning and that succession plans that are in place are achieved
• Ensure effective management of diversity among personnel in the function
• Set goals and objectives for direct reports, monitor progress and maintain motivation
• 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 guidance and leadership ensuring future focus and current efficiency
• Recruit and build a world class management team

Job Requirements:

Education:

• Minimum Four-year academic degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Commerce or a related field coupled with an MBA/Masters.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 to 12 years of post-qualification experience in wholesale/infrastructure/B2B Telecommunications sector
• Senior Management track record of 5 years or more; with at least 3 years in relevant sector/ industry as per relevant role
• Successful track record as a senior management professional in delivering exceptional business growth & financial results 
• Proficient in driving company’s financial performance, business growth and technology/infrastructure expansion
• Experience working in a global/multinational enterprise with a good understanding emerging market

Competencies:

Functional Knowledge: 

• Wholesale/infrastructure/B2B Telecommunications 
• Board Management & Corporate Governance 
• Business and Finance acumen
• Sales strategy planning and execution
• Product Strategy & Roadmap
• Business development
• Technology & Infrastructure deployment 
• Customer value management
• Account management

Skills:

• Strategy Directors - Sets strategic direction for the formulation of business strategies aligned to overarching vision 
• Decisive Problem Solver - Makes decisions firmly and quickly based on logic and intuition to solve complex operational challenges through effective influencing 
• Value Creator - Creates opportunities for commercial and enterprise innovation to maximise business impact that creates shareholder value 
• Culture and Change Translator - Translates values and vital behaviours into ethical business strategies 
• Inspiring People Leader – Is self-aware and leads a business leadership culture holding others accountable for building talent pipelines 
• Stakeholder Influencer - Leads the Bayobab brand and influences internal and external stakeholder relationships for value creation 
• Results Achiever - Creates shareholder value through driving sustainable business result 

Other:

• Regional and international travel 

Collaboration:

• Responsibility towards

Key internal stakeholders:   

• All functions within the OpCo
• MD/Country Heads from other OpCos
• Bayobab Leadership team
• Regional teams
• FiberCo Board 
• Governance Forums /Audit Committee

Key external stakeholders:   

• External audit committees / regulators / statutory bodies
• Government agencies
• Shareholders / Investors
• Third party service providers