Senior Manager - Services Delivery VAS Technology Information at MTN

JOB DESCRIPTION

Strategic input

• Develop the Value Added Services strategy
• Identify key changes to Value Added services in the future from technological, commercial, business and consumer behaviour perspectives and determine how these could impact Value Added Services plans and strategies
• Determine strategies with suppliers to ensure MTN products are superior in performance and functionality
• Develop the target product and services architecture for the next 3-5 years using proof of concept approach to determine viability 

Planning & Delivery

• Drive the development of the 3 year and 1 year plans for all Value Added Services and platforms such as SDP, messaging, voicemail, IVR, and advanced applications such as LBS, M-Commerce and SIM applications.
• Ensure these plans are aligned with business requirements and budgetary prioritisation 
• Ensure Value Added Services designs are developed in order to achieve these plans
• Ensure planned Value Added Services are delivered on time to meet operational requirements
• Ensure the effective utilisation of Value Added Services infrastructure, scalability and capabilities
• Ensure Value Added Services meet business requirements and are sufficient for growth in customer numbers and demand
• Develop policies on the deployment of Value Added  Services equipment
• Oversee and approve detailed product and service design ensuring impact on existing systems (including network capacity) and processes, is managed
• Ensure vendor interaction and selection is managed appropriately including  oversight and approval of equipment configurations
• Ensure system documentation is sufficiently detailed and up to date to ensure business continuity and prevent over-reliance on a few individuals
• Ensure performance of deliverables is monitored, investigated for performance and functionality issues, and future designs optimised around root causes identified 
• Ensure compliance of all payment systems with all regulatory, commercial and business requirements (e.g. Security and integrity of banking systems)
• Facilitate transfer of MTN-SA developed technology to other African markets

Communication and co-ordination

• Ensure coordination between Value Added Services plans and the plans from Payment Systems and other Network departments (Radio, Core & IP, Transmission etc.)
• Liaise with Marketing in defining their product roadmap and definition of their products
• Provide MTN Group with subject matter expertise related to the Value Added Services area
• Consolidate requirements for Value Added Services and decide on clear development paths while managing what may be opposing views from different stakeholders 
• Build the understanding of existing and emerging Value Added Services technologies and capabilities across the business
• Represent MTN SA at various industry forums and deliver presentations on Value Added services 

Financial Management

• Forecast, plan and develop Value Added Services budgets in line with MTN SA financial requirements
• Identify key investment requirements for Value Added Services
• Manage Value Added Services expenditures in line with agreed budgets
• Oversee and approve Value Added Services equipment configurations to be ordered from suppliers including cost control and full lifecycle costing
• Identify and eliminate non-contributory expenditures

Project Delivery

• Develop and drive the execution of agreed projects
• Drive the implementation, tracking, monitoring and compliance of Projects
• Contract management in line with Procurement Policies
• Co-ordinate project reporting
• Ensure effective implementation of the integrated project management model
• Risk management

Business Analysis

• Perform Business Analysis in line with the methodology and guidelines
• Identify ways to fine tune policies, processes and systems in line with changing work practices
• Determine, document, and review requirements for projects within the scope of the value stream or impacting processes and systems
• Design, analyse and document workflow and make appropriate recommendations that will positively impact operational effectiveness
• Identify Business Improvement and Optimisation opportunities that will result in improvement of process performance
• Ensure that benchmarking is conducted with other companies and organizations within and outside the industry.
• Construct business cases for initiations proposed by the business. Research and consider best practice, local conditions, trends, as well as competitor activity
• Identify and implement innovative ways to use minimum resources to achieve maximum outputs

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Requirements

Education:

•  3 year B Degree or equivalent degree
• Project Management experience an advantage

Experience:

• 5 Telecoms with a min of 3 years product development experience 
• Manager track record of 5 years or more; with at least 3 years in relevant sector/ industry 
• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies advantageous
• Good understanding of Telecoms and VAS services a must. 
• Experience if the development life cycle and running of development projects. 
• Experience of Financial planning including budgeting and the running of projects within budget.
• Experience in the product development process, Leading cross-functional project teams, with at least three years at a senior management level.