Principal Spec: Technology Efficiency PM at Vodafone Global Enterprise

Role Purpose/Business Unit:

• Lead the Group Technology Efficiency programme and Group-wide network delivery initiatives to optimise capex and opex across Vodacom OpCos. The role combines programme/project leadership, governance, data-driven performance optimisation, and executive-level reporting to accelerate savings, standardisation, and best-practice adoption across markets.

Your responsibilities will include:

Programme & Project Management

• Develop, implement, and manage integrated programme and project plans aligned to GN strategy, with clear milestones, inter-dependencies, risks, and mitigations.
• Coordinate interdepartmental activities on behalf of the Group Networks team within Vodacom Group, Vodafone, VPC and the Vodacom Group Markets.
• Act as a single point of contact to the Group CTO’s Office, Parallel Group Tech Departments (e.g. IT, Energy, Cyber, etc.), Supply Chain, Finance, Legal and corresponding market equivalents.
• Monitor and govern rollout, budgets and benefits, track performance against KPIs, and drive corrective actions; perform post-implementation reviews to capture learnings.
• Maintain robust stakeholder engagement and cadence (steerco updates, issue escalation, decision logs).

Technology Efficiency & Innovation

• Run the Technology Efficiency & Innovation governance framework across the Vodacom footprint; sustain a pipeline of savings and standardisation opportunities.
• Benchmark key capex/opex categories across markets; consolidate results into GN dashboards and market scorecards.
• Drive special strategic projects focused on modernisation, standardisation, and digital enablers that unlock efficiency at scale.
• Support energy efficiency across all OpCos in line with Vodafone’s global greenhouse-gas agenda.

Best‑Practice Sharing & External Engagement

• Act as principal liaison with Vodafone, vendors, and SMEs to curate and roll out best practices; organise regular workshops and clinics to accelerate adoption.
• Identify and promote inter‑OpCo reuse of methods and solutions proven in mature markets.

Business Case, Financials & Analytics

• Prepare high‑quality business cases for Group initiatives; run cost–benefit and scenario analyses to support executive decisions.
• Foster a data‑driven culture; design and maintain KPIs, reports, and executive dashboards that translate data into action.

Governance & Reporting

• Operate formal programme governance at EXCO‑relevant forums; produce concise, impactful packs for senior stakeholders across Group and markets.

Ways of Working

• Travel to OpCos as required; no direct line reports but strong virtual leadership of cross‑functional teams. 

Typical Outputs

• Efficiency & Innovation governance forum packs and minutes at Group/EXCO level.
• Integrated programme plans, RAID logs, dashboards, and monthly performance reports (actuals vs plan).
• Investment cases and post‑implementation reviews with quantified benefits.

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

• 10+ years in telecommunications with significant technical leadership; strong exposure to analysis, investigations, and research.
• 5+ years leading complex programmes/projects (preferably Group/OpCo contexts).
• RAN/core exposure (GSM/UMTS/LTE as baseline); fixed/mobile architecture, planning, build and operations know-how.
• Demonstrated experience in financial modelling and ROI/benefits realisation.
• Bachelor’s degree Telecommunications/Business/Finance/Statistics (or related).
• Relevant PM certifications (PMP/Prince2/Agile/Six Sigma) advantageous.
• Advantageous: Experience working with African OpCos.

Core competencies, knowledge, and experience:

• Programme/Project Management & Governance; risk, schedule, budget, benefits control.
• Strong technology skills across network architecture, planning, build, and operations (fixed & mobile).
• Data & analytics for decision‑making; KPI design; dashboarding (e.g., Power BI/Tableau/MS Suite).
• Business case development; commercial acumen (revenue, margin, ROI).
• Communication (executive‑level writing and presentations); stakeholder and vendor management; virtual leadership.
• Strategic and innovative thinking; research ('questioning mind').

Working Relationships

• Internal: Group Networks leadership and pillars; OpCo CTIO/Network leadership; Group Finance; SCM; Legal; PMO communities.
• External: Vodafone Group domain leads; strategic vendors and solution partners; industry forums (as relevant).

We make an impact by offering:

• Enticing incentive programs and competitive benefit packages
• Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits
• Cell phone and data benefits, advantages fibre connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts offered in collaboration with partner companies