Senior Manager - Head of ICT COE Global Architecture Enterprise Business Unit at MTN

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Define architecture guidelines and standards to drive consistency and relevance of technology architecture to the ICT strategy and in alignment with overall MTN Group guard rails.
• Contribute with the ICT CoE Leadership to the development of an ICT solution strategy and related Industry, Client and OpCo targets.
• Define and execute ICT architecture blueprints and roadmaps aligned to MTN ICT strategy and priority industry and client needs.
• Co-develop with Sales Operations overall ICT CAPEX and OPEX budgets and manage in line with these.
• Guide and lead solution, pre-sales, and deal architects to provide relevant, quality technology solutions, bespoke where required, to enable ICT Solutions, RFPs, and deals.
• Scan the environment to identify leading technology innovations in the ICT sphere and more broadly. In business technology and digital transformation
• Participate in solution pricing decisions bringing the technology investment and costing to the table. 
• Develop and execute a technology partnership and ecosystem strategy to deliver on technology requirements across the life cycle.
• Develop and co-ordinate an effective managed service/ operate strategy for deployment at an OpCo level.
• Oversee development of SLA approach to drive back-to-back SLAS between vendors and local teams for large / priority and pilot deals aligned to the customer SLAs.
• Governance

Strategic Meetings

• Develop and execute the governance framework and associated forums to govern the application of Technology architecture standards within the CoE and across the 6 OpCos 
• Participate and provide input in strategic meetings.
• Perform evaluation baseline of key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Request for relevant budget for internal projects and new initiatives.
• Facilitate preparation of proposals on change initiatives, policies, and procedures.

Escalations

• Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource or reputational impact.
• Manage and provide solutions to escalations that have multiple processes / functions impact on critical path of service delivery.
• Manage and provide solutions through stakeholder consultation where relevant.

Function Tactical

• Review all projects initiated.
• Prepare objectives, targets, and budgets for Sales Execution as applicable.
• Review key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions.
• Facilitate in sign-off / making decisions regarding tactical changes.
• Performance
• Monitor performance and alignment with MTN SA strategy.
• Ensure alignment between and across other functions within the MTN SA organisation, including but not limited to the ICT unit, OpCo EBU, OpCo Tech, GEBU, market representatives.
• Reporting
• Report on a periodic basis to the business units relating to in market performance of new solutions/propositions including progress made with implementation of new launches.
• Report on an ad hoc basis on specific projects, as required.
• Budgets
• Manage functional budgets in line with overall business objectives.
• Manage roadmap/ initiative budgets in line with business objectives.
• Ensure that the cost of operations is reduced, in line with a least cost operating strategy stemming from the business drivers.
• Operational Delivery

Guidance and Support Delivery Management

• Oversee development of solution and tower roadmaps aligned to industry/ client priorities.
• Guide and be directly involved in Solution, pre-sales, deal architecture and solution implementation activities to provide business relevant, bespoke as required, quality technology solutions to enable ICT Solutions, RFPs, and Deals
• Capacitate effective delivery of architectural solutions to enable scaling of the Cloud, Connectivity/UCC, IOT and Security verticals through onboarding and ongoing development of team.
• Align architecture resource requirements to Demand Planning and ensure right resources and skills in place to meet demand planning requirements. 
• Lead the monitoring of the Technology delivery roadmap, to time, quality, and cost expectations.
• Ensure effective programme and project management disciplines in place to manage on time, on budget, quality delivery of technology programmes within the ICT CoE scope.
• Engage across the OpCos t0 monitor ICT Technology progress, developments and ensure best practices are implemented across the OpCos
• Support speed to market through a focus on developing and rolling out agile work to enable MVP development, working closely with solution sales and digital advisory.
• Effectively lead technology delivery partners from within MTN (Enterprise, TES) and including external System Integrators and technology vendors as involved in the execution of delivery.
• Manage the effective establishment and monitoring of SLAs and commercial constructs between Architecture, service providers and OpCo delivery teams to drive quality and speed of response within revenue and profit guidelines.

Staff Leadership and Management

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of ICT architecture professionals, providing coaching, guidance, and performance evaluations.
• Develop and maintain a high-performance team that consistently meets or exceeds targets.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer-centricity within the team.
• Ensure open communication channels with staff and implement change management interventions where necessary.
• Provide definition of roles, responsibilities, individual goals, and performance objectives for the team.
• Set KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review program.
• Develop and implement a training plan to build and develop skills within the team.
• Performance manages resources in accordance with HR policy and legislation where necessary.
• Actively participate in leadership team and develop skills of own team.
• Promote a ‘MTN centric’ and ‘partnership approach’ to develop strong relationships with other working groups and ensure adherence to Group governance.

Self - Management

• Enable and model healthy employee relations and collaborative teamwork.
• Act as an ambassador for the ICT CoE by actively demonstrating and “living” the Brand values and vital behaviours. 
• Make the environment the best place to work by fostering professionalism, loyalty, and commitment to the organization. 

Key relationships:

• Direct reports: 2+
• Key customers: All MTN OpCos - across the markets 
• Relations, etc.: ICT CoE team (All markets)