Principal Specialist: Technology Strategy at Vodacom

The role of the Principal Specialist: Technology Strate is to in this role, develop, facilitate and programme manage the long-term Technology Strategy for the Vodacom Technology Group. Responsible for end-to-end thought leadership, strategic guidance and direction setting around critical technology long-term roadmaps and transformation programmes in the Vodacom Technology Group. Provide Technology Strategy related support towards Vodafone, Vodacom Group CTO, Vodacom Senior Technology Leadership team and the Business as a whole, including Vodacom Group Strategy.

Key accountabilities and decision ownership

• Setting strategic technology direction in the Vodacom Group Technology environment through the development and collation of the Technology strategy and roadmaps across technology domains in alignment with the Vodafone technology strategy and Vodacom’s Business strategies.
• Implement governance processes and reporting to drive effective implementation and monitoring of the strategy execution, including recommendation of required programmes to support business wide transformation to deliver on strategy.
• To lead initiatives that provide thought leadership and drive key strategic Vodacom Technology initiatives by liaising with and aligning (when required) Technology and all other relevant BU’s in order to provide the SLT (Senior Leadership Team) with technical and non-technical guidance for a particular area of focus.
• Provide Vodacom Group CTO support with presentations, reporting, and communications (internal and external stakeholders) as required from time to time by the CTO. Audience includes stakeholders such as Vodafone and Vodacom Exco / Boards, investors, business partners and the media.
• To communicate effectively and maintain sound relationships at the relevant levels within the Company and all other Commercial teams within Vodacom in accordance with agreed strategies with Line Management.

Core Competencies, Knowledge And Experience

• Mobile Telecommunications technologies, including Access, Transmission and Core Network knowledge, both Circuit and Packet switched.
• Fixed Telecommunications technologies, including Access, Transmission and Core Network knowledge, both Circuit and Packet switched.
• Enterprise technologies, including, SDN, Unified Communications, Internet of Things, Private Networks etc.
• Mobile bearer technologies as defined by 3GPP/IETF/GSMA.
• Telecommunications BSS knowledge including (but not limited to) CRM Systems, Charging and Billing Systems, BI Technologies and Integration Technologies.
• Digital Evolution technologies including 5G, Big Data and Analytics, Cloud, Platforms, Micro-services, Disruptive Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Robotic Process Automation, Internet of Things and so forth.
• General knowledge of key technology concepts that impact Telecommunications and the broader ICT industry in order to provide thought leadership.
• General knowledge of the Telecommunications industry environment / landscape (e.g. Regulatory, Government etc.) in order to provide thought leadership on strategic topics.
• Communication skills including interpersonal skills, presentation skills, negotiation skills, relationship building ability, management reporting etcetera.
• Use of English language for professional technical writing to produce presentations and documents that are of global industry standard.
• Short, medium and long-term technology strategies (strategic and tactical).
• Technical Competence.
• Effective Communication including professional writing, presentation skills and the ability to engage at all levels.

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

• Minimum of B.Sc Electrical/Electronic Engineering degree/diploma or similar.
• M.Eng/M.Sc Eng/ MBA will be advantageous but not necessary.
• >10 years of experience with technical depth across both Network and IT.
• Strong research and analytical capabilities, attention to detail and commercial savvy.
• Excellent strategic thinking and knowledge of emerging technologies.
• Extremely strong communication & presentation skills.