Principal Specialist Technology Strategy at Vodafone Global Enterprise

Role Purpose/Business Unit:

• To develop, facilitate and programme manage the long-term Technology Strategy for the Vodacom South Africa Technology function. 
• To provide Technology Strategy related support towards Vodafone, Vodacom CTO, Vodacom Senior Technology Leadership team and the Business as a whole, including Vodacom Group Strategy.
• Provide thought leadership and direction to Vodacom Technology on technology research and relevant industry trend topics and provide technical insights and positioning on Network, IT and Cyber Security related topics.

Your responsibilities will include:
 

• Setting strategic technology direction in the Vodacom SA Technology environment through the localization of the Technology Strategy across the technology domains in alignment with the Vodafone Technology Strategy, Vodacom’s local market business strategies.
• To provide end-to-end thought leadership, strategic guidance and direction setting around critical technology long-term roadmaps and transformation programmes in Vodacom SA Technology.
• Provide ME Vodacom Tech Strategy support with presentations (e.g. Annual Group Board Strategy Review presentation, Group ExCo Strategy Review, Technology Conferences), reporting, and communications (internal and external stakeholders) as required by the CTO. Audience includes stakeholders such as Vodafone Group TLT, and Vodacom Exco/SLT, Board members and domains within Group Technology.
• Execute and deliver on the Technology Strategy and Governance Reporting processes with extremely high-quality and to drive effective monitoring of the execution of the Technology. 
• Ensure timely review, approval and submission of all reporting according to the reporting governance processes and the reporting calendar.
• Analysis and reporting of the information obtained e.g. statistics, from authenticated sources within Vodacom Technology (Networks, IT, Cyber Security and). 
• Consolidating the information into standardised reporting frameworks / templates such as the annual Vodacom Group Board Report, Vodacom ARCC report for Group Technology. 
• To communicate effectively and maintain sound relationships at the relevant levels within the Company and all other Commercial teams within Vodacom in accordance with agreed strategies with Line Management

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Strategy Execution Management:

• Working with the ME Technology Strategy – drive and manage a comprehensive technology strategy aligned with Vodacom's business objectives.
• Collaborate with Group Strategy to ensure alignment with the strategic vision and technology priorities for Vodacom.
• Coordinate and develop key technology growth initiatives, ensuring alignment with the overall strategic vision.
• Drive full alignment around technology strategic plans, considering global and local business outlooks, group strategies, and customer insights.
• Prepare and present technology strategy-related content for Board papers and executive meetings.
• Program and Portfolio Management:
• Execute and deliver on the technology roadmap, including digital transformation initiatives and innovation pipelines.
• Establish and ensure adherence to project governance frameworks for technology deliverables.
• Manage approvals for technology projects, including business cases, go-to-market strategies, and post-investment reviews.
• Facilitate executive decision-making while ensuring agility and continuous innovation.
• Business Support & Enablement:
• Track performance of key technology initiatives and targets across the organization.
• Orchestrate and manage an effective operating rhythm within the technology function, continuously optimizing for agility and impact.
• Coordinate the annual technology planning process, ensuring that planning and budgeting are aligned with strategy and that timelines and milestones are planned to allow for adequate sequencing.
• Collaborate with other business units to drive efficiencies and best-practice sharing across Vodacom SA.
• New Business Development and Strategic Partnership Structuring:
• Programme manager for and support on behalf of the ME: Tech Strategy in the evaluation and conceptualisation of new business opportunities within the technology landscape.

The Ideal Candidate for this role will have:

• Must have technical / professional qualifications: 
• Minimum of B.Sc Electrical/Electronic Engineering degree/diploma or similar
• M.Eng/M.Sc Eng/ MBA will be advantageous but not necessary.
• 10 years of experience with technical depth in Network and IT technologies
• 4 years detailed presentation design and technical writing for CxO level
• Strong research and analytical capabilities, attention to detail and commercial savvy. 
• Excellent strategic thinking and knowledge of emerging technologies.
• Extremely strong communication & presentation design and technical writing skills.
• Core competencies, knowledge and experience:
• In depth knowledge/experience of the Telecommunication Industry in the following domains: 
• Mobile Telecommunications technologies, including Access, Transmission and Core Network knowledge, both Circuit and Packet switched
• Fixed Telecommunications technologies, including Access, Transmission and Core Network knowledge, both Circuit and Packet switched
• Enterprise technologies, including, SDN, Unified Communications, Internet of Things, Private Networks etc.
• Mobile bearer technologies as defined by 3GPP/IETF/GSMA
• Telecommunications BSS knowledge including (but not limited to) CRM Systems, Charging and Billing Systems, BI Technologies and Integration Technologies. 
• .
• Digital Evolution technologies including 5G, Big Data and Analytics, AI/ML, Cloud, Platforms, Micro-services, Disruptive Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Robotic Process Automation, Internet of Things and so forth.
• General knowledge of key technology concepts that impact Telecommunications and the broader ICT industry in order to provide thought leadership
• General knowledge of the Telecommunications industry environment / landscape (e.g. Regulatory, Government etc.) in order to provide thought leadership on strategic topics
• Communications skills including interpersonal skills, excellent presentation skills, negotiation skills, relationship building ability, management reporting etcetera.
• Use of English language for professional technical writing to produce high quality presentations and documentation that are of global industry standard
• Presentation design skills to produce high quality, detailed presentations.

We make an impact by offering:

• Enticing incentive programs, competitive benefit packages, and an exclusive 13th cheque
• Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits
• Cell phone and data benefits, advantages fibre connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts offered in collaboration with partner companies