Senior Manager AI & Machine Learning at MTN

Mission / Core purpose of the Job
Are you passionate about using your skills to make a difference? Do you enjoy using data and technology to improve the lives of people around you? Do you want an opportunity to influence the future of the continent? If you answered yes to these questions, we have exciting opportunity for you!

The Senior Manager AI & Machine Learning is a part of the Customer Value Management (CVM) function in the Group Consumer Business Division at MTN. The position is primarily responsible for the formulation and rollout of a CVM Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning strategy in support of digital transformation across the group.

The Senior Manager AI & Machine Learning will report to the General Manager, Customer Value Management. The position will interface with Senior Opco stakeholders, Group Management stakeholders and consumer divisional heads in order to influence the strategic direction of digital transformation using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques.
Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's)
The Senior Manager AI & Machine Learning will be responsible for the following Key Performance Areas:

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Lead the formulation of a CVM AI & ML sub-divisional strategy in line with overarching divisional goals with emphasis on client experience (internal and external)
• Ensure effective implementation of sub-divisional strategy by means of providing direction, structure, business plans and support
• Development of a community and ongoing guidance to progress the maturity of Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning across the group

Data Modelling

• Research and develop custom data models and algorithms that address key business problems
• Lead the analytics community as a senior guide towards translating goals into data analytical models that generate business value
• Design and develop analytics models in a way that can be industrialised across the group leveraging standardised Big Data and cloud technologies

Data Analysis

• Use Big data analytics and advanced data mining techniques to analyse data specific to Ai/ML programmes
• Identify trends, patterns and discrepancies in data and determine additional data needed to support insight specific to Ai/ML programmes
• Analyse data from OpCo databases to drive optimisation and improvement of data quality and compliance

Consumer Business Operational

• Set up and manage project status meetings
• Review and identify key risks, issues, and dependencies and set mitigation actions
• Manage budgets
• Sign off / make decisions regarding operational changes

Performance

• Review performance against agreed KPIs and compliance to SLAs
• Create and monitor plan for continuous improvement Review performance of teams

Reporting

• Review and submit reports addressing periodic activity, budget compliance, feedback and key OpCo results to support decision making
• Prepare reports on operational performance and detailed reports on specific programmes when required
• Communicate to the senior leadership team and OpCos on the various predictions and findings through effective data visualisations and reports

Operational Delivery (Customer Value Management)

• Development, operationalisation and maintenance of Ai/ML recommendation models in support of decisioning frameworks across the OpCo footprint using Big Data and Cloud technologies
• Alignment and collaboration with CVM teams throughout the OpCo footprint to determine Model roadmaps that support use cases relative to ‘contextual” business problems
• Development of prototype code for automated training and scoring of Ai/ML models
• Makes use of data visualisation to engage varying audience on the benefits and results of implemented models toward busines goals
• Alignment and collaboration with Group and OpCo technology / BI counterparts to agree roadmaps for data ingestion and productionising / automation of models
• Support the community and OpCos to ensure that data is of an appropriate quality for the development and operationalisation of models
• Guidance and support for the community and OpCos on model evaluation, corrective measures and technical guidance for value generation

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies)
Education:

• Degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science or Engineering, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning, Big Data or related quantitative fields of study
• Post-graduate degree an advantage (Advantageous)

Experience:

• 5+ years of relevant work experience in a global / multinational business environment (e.g. Banking, Telecommunications) (understanding of emerging markets advantageous)
• Experience in leading change / transformation (marketing) at an operational level (Advantageous)
• Experience in leading innovation and continuous improvement through the implementation of best practices
• Experience in data-driven decisioning and marketing techniques
• Experience in working in fast-paced environments across multiple geographies and contexts
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

Technical Competencies:

• Ability to extract insights from large quantities of structured and unstructured data using appropriate tools and platforms (e.g., SQL, Hadoop, Google cloud etc.)
• Programming skills in at least one language for the development of models addressing business problems (e.g., Python, R, SQL, C++ etc.)
• Experience with statistical modelling software (e.g., SAS) and advanced analytics techniques (e.g., k-means segmentation, forecasting, regression, classification models etc.)
• Experience in Data visualisation tools (E.g., Power BI, Tableau etc.)
• Knowledge of Big Data platforms and open-source solutions

Competencies:

• Strategy Implementer, Decisive Problem Solver, Best Practice Value Creator
• Culture and Change Champion, Relationship Builder
• Results Achiever, Operationally Astute
• Influencer that can add value and make a significant difference to the organisation
• Analytical
• Data interpretation
• Decision making
• Negotiations & Communications
• Reporting

Other:

• Adaptable
• Culturally aware
• Emotional maturity
• Innovation
• Relationship building
• Willingness and ability to travel to OpCo’s
• MTN’s Values