Senior Manager - API and Integration.Technology Information at MTN

Job Description

• Define and build a portfolio of API & Integration products that will enable our business, developer community and partners to deliver modern customer centric digital solutions more efficiently.
• To manage design, build, development, testing and operations of the integration platforms on-premise and in the Cloud. Create frameworks for integration for Telco and Techco. Integral to enable the Software Engineering discipline.  
• To manage effective 3rd Party Management with partners. Oversee the development of specifications for tenders and the effective management of the tender process. Ensure continuous API improvement through product maintenance. Manage the testing and quality assurance process for all new products and changes made to existing products and services

Key Performance Areas    Measures (KPIs for job)
Key Job Responsibilities
Strategy Development 

• Develop API and Chenosis Solutions Delivery framework to enable product/service strategy and plan and facilitate delivery on revenue targets, aligned to industry best practice, MTN Group and MTN SA
• Develop Technical Roadmap and architectural standards for API 
• Align MTN API framework to the TMF forum 

Translates Business Strategy into API & Integration Product Roadmaps

• Understands business drivers and business capabilities (future and current state) and determines corresponding API & Integration system designs and change requirements to drive the organization's targeted business outcomes.
• Understands emerging technology trends and disruptions and the practical application of existing, new, and emerging technologies to enable new and evolving business and operating models.
• Drive a democratized approach to API & Integration product management whereby the business & IT functional groups to own and manage these products
• Develop and curate a roadmap for the API product, using input from consumers to plan enhancements and improvements. 
• Translates business and technical requirements into API & Integration blueprint & roadmaps to achieve business objectives
• Define and measure meaningful business key performance indicators (KPIs) for the API product.

Manages the API & Integration design and analysis work.

• Analyzes the technology industry, competitors and market trends, and determines their potential impact on the enterprise.
• Defines the principles, guidelines, standards and patterns to ensure solution decisions are aligned with the enterprise's future-state architecture vision.

Staff Leadership and Management

• Source, induct and manage talent in accordance with legislative guidelines;
• Ensure open communication channels with staff and implement change management interventions where necessary;
• Set KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review program;
• Encourage knowledge transfer through the implementation of a knowledge transfer plan and drive continuous improvement philosophy through the knowledge transfer plan;
• Promote a ‘MTN centric’ and ‘partnership approach’ to develop strong relationships with other working groups and ensure adherence to Group governance;
• Align departmental values with MTN brand values;
• Approve work structure process before adoption by the team;
• Ensure adequate succession planning and that succession plans that are in place are achieved;
• Provide career development for direct reports (counselling, coaching, identifying key performance areas, career planning and goal setting).

Governance 

Strategic Meetings

• Hold strategic meetings, ensure relevant participation and provide guidance and support in the various discussions;
• Drive adequate risk mitigation and controls, and elicit inputs from relevant parties;
• Governance meetings required with stakeholders within MTN SA Digital and MTN Group Technology and Digital, EBU, CIO, FinTech and Chenosis
• Sign off approval on new initiatives;
• Provide relevant budget for internal projects; and
• Prepare proposal on change initiatives, SLA policies and procedures.
• Works closely with executives across the organization

Escalations

• Manage and resolve issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity and cost or resource impact; and
• Resolve and provide guidance to issues escalated.

Tactical

• Manage all projects and initiatives;
• Review key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions; and
• Sign-off / make decisions regarding tactical changes.

Performance

• Define the standards and set targets for performance across the sub-division and identify the parameters for measurement of performance;
• Responsible to drive revenue, this is the core revenue generator for the business;
• Monitor performance against business plans (i.e. business plan tracking) as well as alignment with MTN global strategy and industry best practices;
• Review performance of digital products and services against forecasts and agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and review service level agreements;
• Continuous review and improvement of Digital & Fintech Solutions Framework and provide necessary support to drive performance against business plan targets
• Alignment to TM Forum and creating frameworks for integration
• Very close alignment with Group Software Center of Excellence
• Provides guidance to the entire developer community
• Find opportunities to monetise API’s   
• As per business plan

Reporting

• Report to the CDO, CIO, Group CIO, CXO, EBU, Chenosis and FinTech relating to progress made within the sub-function and in accordance with the measurement metrics set by the organisation;
• Highlight to the management significant deviations from defined performance metrics; and
• Report on an adhoc basis on specific projects, as required.

Budgets

• Develop and manage the API CAPEX and OPEX budget in line with business objectives;
• Develop and manage project initiative budgets in line with business objectives; and
• Ensure that the “cost of operations” is reduced, in line with a least cost operating strategy stemming from the business drivers.

Operational Delivery 

Partner Management:

• Manage Stakeholder Relationships with 3rd Party Platform and Technology Providers;
• Ensure relationships with partners are maintained and contracts are adhered to;
• Identify and engage a diverse range of influential contacts within stakeholder and community groups, and partner organisations;
• Oversee the building of alliances to establish mutually beneficial working arrangements with partners;
• Identifies clear win-win situations with external partners;
• Manage the design and produce high quality products that enable open ecosystems and platforms for seamless integration including identify opportunities and deliver on API monetization.
• Drive a democratized approach to API & Integration product management by empowering the business & IT functional groups to own and manage these products.
• Measure and communicate the business value of API products to senior stakeholders and evangelize the use of API products across the MTN ecosystem.

Solution Design:

• Oversee the development of technical specifications and implementation of new products;
• Accountable for the achievement of overall product quality assurance and control throughout the product development lifecycle;
• Ensures compliance with business and technology strategies;
• Estimates cost effectiveness, points of risk, opportunities, strengths and weaknesses of digital solutions;

Lead a Team of cross functional API & Integration Product managers

• Product managers will support the analysis, design & implementation of API & Integration products across a business & IT functional domains based on the enterprise business strategy, business capabilities, value-streams, business requirements and enterprise standards.
• Creates API & integration designs to guide and contextualize development across products, services, projects and systems (including applications, technologies, processes and information).
• Analyzes the business-IT environment (run, grow and transform the business) to detect critical deficiencies, legacy and technical debt, and recommends improvements
• Facilitates and Collaborate to Deliver Business Outcomes
• Works closely with the Agile program management office (PMO) and squads to ensure the execution of plans corresponds with what is being promised throughout the project or product lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain API specifications and documentation.
• Works closely with other product owners and product managers to ensure a robust API & Integration ecosystem to support future business requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
• Provides consulting support to application architects within agile teams to ensure the project or product is aligned with the overall API & Integration architecture. 
• Work with IT leaders, business leaders, and developers to select which APIs should be treated as products.
• Develop strong relationships with API & Integration product consumers (e.g., developers, business & partners using the API product) to understand their needs.
• Develop and curate a roadmap for the API product, using input from consumers to plan enhancements and improvements. 
• Communicate the business value of the API product to relevant stakeholders, including business and IT leaders.
• Evangelize the use of the API product with development teams to increase the adoption and consumption of API product capabilities.
   

Manage and Operate API & Integration Products

• Collect data against defined metrics and use metrics to determine opportunities to improve the business value of the API product.
• Provides insights & monitoring dashboards for visibility on API performance and availability.
• Ensure consumers have the information and resources they need to use the API product, such as access to APIs, interactive documentation to help them understand API operations, and code samples or SDKs (Software Development Kits). 
• Provide support to API product consumers by answering questions and responding to feedback.
• Oversee the API product throughout its lifecycle, including managing API versioning and decommissioning.
• Ensure alignment and adherence to corporate, financial and IT standards (e.g., architecture, compliance, security).

Pricing negotiation and tender management:

• Oversee the negotiation of tender pricing and ensure this is in line with MTN Group and SA guidelines;
• Ensure tenders are awarded based on the provided specifications and managed accordingly.

Job Specifications/ Minimum & Preferred Requirements
Education / Business Degree    

• Minimum of 3 year Commercial/Marketing/Business Degree

Work Experience     

• Min 8 years of relevant work experience in a strategic Global Brand 
• IT Delivery Head in multi-disciplinary domains including Integration, BSS, VAS, Digital, Fintech, Chenosis, Enterprise Business Unit, MTN Group and Chenosis organizations
• Experience working in a global/multinational enterprise /relevant industries 
• Understanding of emerging markets 
• Senior management track record of 5 years or more, with at least 3 years in relevant sector/industry
• Experience in Global Brand leading practices and trends