Senior Manager: Core Network Strategy at MTN

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job

• MTN is entering a new phase in its lifecycle where operational and commercial excellence has become critical for success. The urgency for change has become more heightened amidst increased competitive intensity across all markets in which MTN operates.  The Group’s Technology function must therefore ensure the successful delivery in context of:

Rapidly changing ICT environment

• The geographic complexity of MTN’s foot print across Africa and the Middle East
• Management of executive and local shareholder expectations across all 20 OpCos
• Achievement of top quartile operating efficiency and effectiveness through scale and common processes
• Driving growth through business intelligence and standardization to maximize business impact
• Management of customer and supplier expectations
• Enhance MTN position as a leading network and system provider
• Constant dynamics and local challenges in the economic, regulatory and legal environments

Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's)
The Senior Manager:  Core Network Strategy will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:

• Manage the development of core and cloud 5 Year network strategy
• Develop the strategy for 5G core, edge compute, and future stack
• Provide Network strategy input to technology business plan
• Provide network and IT insights and analysis to be integrated to the Cloud and Core technology and relevant commercial planning functions
• Develop technical relationships with global Core OEM and Hyperscaler ecosystem and industrial and standards bodies
• Define the overall Mobile Edge strategy (Active and Passive) that will deliver Network as a Service and Platform as a Service capabilities for MTN
• Present strategic options for product monetisation of the Core Network for Wholesale and Enterprise customers, including Global Connect
• Co-ordinate adoption of new technologies with the relevant technology planning department
• Assist and support OpCo’s with alignment to Group’s Core strategies.
• Strategic review of new technologies and their impact on existing environments
• Assess vendor capability and readiness for new technologies
• Engage with all relevant Global Standards organizations (GSMA, ITU, 3GPP) and industry analysts to lobby MTN requirements
• Guide the Network Planning and Design team in new and innovative solutions
• Work with respective Partners/Vendors on their innovation lab and ensure MTN takes full benefit
• Understand regulatory requirements in the network space effecting future strategies
• Coordinate all Core technology testing and pilots, and identify areas for optimisation, improvement and cost efficiency.
• Integrated technology strategy blueprint
• Continuous update to business stakeholders on technology evolution

Role Dependencies

• Active support from the Group CTIO; Executive: Network Design and Planning
• Deep understanding of the MTN business strategy
• Understanding of the OpCo technology, business and regulatory context
• Timely decision making and reporting
• Alignment of OpCo and Group strategy initiatives

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies)
Education:

• Minimum of 4 year tertiary degree
• Relevant certification / accreditation / membership with professional body as required for role
• MBA or Masters advantageous
• Fluent in English
• Fluent in French and Arabic (advantageous)

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years with Senior Managerial level experience
• Minimum 3-5 years experience in Network Design & Planning, Cloud and Core domain
• Experience in working across diverse cultures and geographies (advantageous)
• Experience working in a medium to large ICT / Telecommunications organisation

Competencies:

• Strategy Formulators, Decisive Problem Solver, Innovative Value Creator
• Culture and Change Champion, Inspiring People Leader, Relationship Builder
• Results Achiever, Operationally Astute

Other:

• Regional and International Travel obligations
• Collaboration (Formal and Informal Relationships)

Responsibility towards:

• Key customers: MTN OpCos, Group Technology,
• Key suppliers: Key Technology Partners, Alliance Stakeholders, Relevant Industry Bodies