Executive Head: Group Technology Architecture

**Role purpose**:
The Vodacom Group Technology Architecture team is responsible for end-to-end architecture design & governance across all technologies. Domains, including Network, IT, Fintech, Digital Services & Enterprise, for Vodacom Group and all Markets.
In this role, you would be expected to provide thought leadership and guidance on strategic technology capabilities and develop designs, and references. architectures and operating models for Group Platforms and/or strategic projects, facilitate Group-wide Architecture Governance, and draft architecture principles, specifications, and roadmaps for all Technology Domains in all markets to realize Vodacom’s Commercial and Technology strategies.
You will report to the Managing Executive: Group Technology Strategy, Architecture, Spectrum & Assurance, and will be expected to advise, present, and build relationships with all stakeholders at all levels of seniority - both in Technology and other areas of the business.

**Your responsibilities will include**:
**Technology**
1.To drive and guide Key Strategic Initiatives from an architectural perspective, that provides thought leadership or strategic direction by liaising with and aligning (when required) Technology and all other relevant BUs to provide technical and non-technical guidance for a particular area of focus. The key to this objective is to drive technology awareness in the Technology Leadership Team.

2. To develop Architecture Principles and Specifications based on industry standards, best practices, and strategic objectives, and ensure their implementation through effective Architecture Governance in all technical domains.

3. To define technical Target Architectures for technical domains in order to facilitate business requirements and/or technical optimization/evolution of relevant technologies within those domains, and to lead the creation of Strategic Architecture Roadmaps that guide such technical domains to evolve their current platforms & systems towards their Target Architecture based on relevant industry standards, market trends, and relevant business needs.

4. To conceptualize strategic guidance and architectural leadership as well as to drive and execute the technical input for the Procurement of new technologies and systems through various Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes.

5. To Communicate effectively and maintain sound Relationships at all levels within the Company in accordance with agreed strategies with Line Management. This includes:
To work closely with the Group CTO’s office and Group Technology Strategy in defining and supporting the Vodacom Group Technology Strategy from an architectural perspective.
To be able to communicate at all levels within the organization through documented outputs tailored to the specific project/initiative, engagement, audience and desired outcome. This could include written documents, presentations, memos, meetings, workshops, etc.
To lead and coach Technology Architecture Managers and Principal Specialists in requesting and providing peer review and guidance on initiatives and deliverables.
To compile reporting information to be presented to all levels of management with specific focus on executive and director level reporting.
**Must have technical/professional qualifications**:
Minimum of M.Eng or M.Sc Eng Electrical / Electronic Engineering degree required.
An MBA and/or Doctorate degree is optional but highly desirable.
A minimum of 10 years of total experience in Telecommunications or the wider ICT Industry is essential. 5 years of the above 10 years of experience. should ideally be in Architecture, Systems Planning, or Systems Design.
A minimum of 5 years in a managerial role, preferably leading technology teams working across multiple systems that span numerous different technology domains.

1. In-depth knowledge/experience in at least four of the following domains (with at least a high-level understanding of the remaining two):
Mobile, Wireless & Fixed Telecommunications technologies, including Access, Transmission, and Core Network knowledge (both Circuit and Packet-switched) domains, and OSS systems & tools.
Telecommunications BSS knowledge includes (but not limited to) CRM Systems, Charging and Billing Systems, & BI Technologies.
Cloud & Platform technologies, including virtualization & containerization, API definition & management, microservice development, CI/CD pipelines & DevOps tools, and hyper scale cloud platforms such as AWS and GCP.
Big Data Analytics & Automation technologies, including ChatBots, AI/ML, data ingestion, cleaning, modeling & visualisation, and data warehouses & lakes.

2. General knowledge of key technical concepts that impact Telecommunications and the broader ICT industry in order to provide thought leadership

3. Enterprise Architecture Methodologies, Standards, and Best Practices as defined by industry architectural bodies.

4. Advanced People Leadership and Communications skills.

5. Demonstra