Project Manager at Octotel

Role Overview

• The Project Manager is responsible for the end-to-end operational delivery of the across allocated phases and sectors. The role translates programme targets into practical daily, weekly and monthly plans; coordinates field supervisors, contractors and support functions; removes delivery blockers; protects quality and safety standards; and ensures progress is accurately documented and reported.

Purpose of the role:

• Manage rollout delivery across allocated phases and sectors against approved programme targets and timelines.
• Drive installation completion, live activation, snag resolution and reduction of inactive and no-infrastructure backlogs.
• Coordinate field teams, contractors, stock, tools, vehicles, network readiness and customer lead availability to protect daily production.
• Maintain strong quality, safety, data and reporting discipline and ensure issues are escalated and resolved quickly.
• Manage contractor performance, stakeholder communication and corrective actions to keep the programme aligned and on schedule.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Planning and Scheduling:

• Prepare and maintain the rollout plan by phase and sector, set daily and weekly production targets, maintain look-ahead plans and ensure teams do not move prematurely between sectors without agreed completion and close-out.

Production and Delivery Management:

• Monitor planned versus actual installations, live deactivations, inactive homes, no-access cases, no-infrastructure homes, snags and holding-pattern installations; implement recovery actions where targets are missed.

Field Leadership:

• Direct Field Installation Supervisors and field teams, confirm daily allocations, monitor productivity, ensure adequate supervision and quality coverage, and support rapid resolution of operational constraints.

Contractor Management:

• Manage appointed subcontractors against agreed scope, targets, standards and timelines; issue clear instructions, review performance, enforce corrective actions and escalate persistent non-performance.

Quality and Technical Governance:

• Ensure installations comply with Octotel standards for workmanship, ONT placement, routing, labelling, testing, signal levels, activation and evidence capture; drive first-time-right delivery and fast snag closure.

Network Readiness and Dependencies:

• Coordinate with build, testing, splicing and network teams to confirm splitter, wallbox, drop-cable and route readiness before installation teams are deployed; identify and resolve infrastructure blockers.

Stock, Tools and Logistics:

• Forecast material requirements, ensure stock and tools are available before deployment, monitor issue-and-return controls, serial-number integrity, shortages, damaged equipment, vehicle readiness and stock variances.

Data, Reporting and Governance:

• Maintain accurate daily dashboards and trackers covering installs, activations, backlog, quality, contractor output, stock, risks and exceptions; ensure photo, serial, signal and system records reconcile with completed work.

Stakeholder and Community Coordination:

• Coordinate with internal teams, PMO, contractors, community representatives and relevant local stakeholders; ensure customer-facing conduct is professional and access or community issues are escalated appropriately.

Risk, Issue and Change Management:

• Maintain the RAID log, identify delivery risks early, assign owners and due dates, escalate critical blockers, and manage approved changes to scope, sequence or resources without losing accountability.

Health and Safety:

• Ensure all teams comply with health and safety requirements, PPE, safe work practices, housekeeping and incident reporting; stop or escalate unsafe work immediately.

Commercial and Performance Control:

• Validate contractor output and completion evidence, monitor cost and productivity drivers, support payment verification and ensure claimed work is supported by accurate system and field records.

Close-Out and Continuous Improvement:

• Run sector and phase close-outs, reconcile outstanding homes and exceptions, capture lessons learned and implement process improvements that increase throughput, quality and activation success.

Requirements:

• Grade 12 and a valid Code 8 driver’s license.
• Relevant diploma or degree in Project Management, Engineering, Telecommunications, Operations or Business Management is advantageous.
• Project management certification or formal project management training is advantageous.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in project delivery, field operations, construction, fibre or telecommunications, with at least 3 years coordinating multiple teams or contractors.
• Demonstrated experience managing schedules, production targets, contractors, quality, risks, stock and operational dependencies.
• Good understanding of fibre installations, ONTs, splicing, signal testing, routing, network readiness and installation quality standards.
• Strong leadership, planning, negotiation, communication, reporting, escalation and problem-solving skills.
• Strong computer literacy, including Excel or equivalent reporting tools, dashboards and field reporting systems.
• Ability to work across multiple sites, manage competing priorities and remain available for operational escalation when required

Benefits

• Medical Aid company contribution
• Medical Insurance Company Contribution
• Corporate Gap Cover rates
• Discounted Internet Connectivity
• Free Barista prepared coffee, breakfasts and snacks.
• Employee Wellness Programme (Lyra). Providing free 24/7/365 counselling for you and your family in your household, as well as other health and wellbeing resources, provided by registered professionals.
• Exposure to latest industry technologies and standards
• Lastly, a work environment that rivals the very best!