This position is based in Johannesburg.
We’re accepting applications for the position of Group Technology Fibre Lead (Infrastructure Development and Sharing). The purpose of this position will be to support creation and development of infrastructure joint venture Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV’s) across markets focussing on fibre (FTTH/B, FTTS, Metro, NLD); manage SPV technology strategy, architecture and operating model design for the SPV’s; source, drive and negotiate strategic partnerships with vendors, investors, and customers; support the resourcing of group and in-market SPV teams (headcount resources); and ensure alignment with group technology strategy and supply chain processes among other functions.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supporting creation and development of infrastructure joint venture Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) across markets focusing on Fibre (FTTH/B, FTTS, Metro, NLD)
- Developing SPV technology strategy, architecture and operating model design for SPVs
- Sourcing, driving and negotiating strategic partnerships with vendors, investors and customers
- Supporting resourcing of Group and in-market SPV teams (headcount resources)
- Aligning with Group technology strategy and supply chain processes
- Driving infrastructure sharing and co-build initiatives across all markets within the Group in partnership with other MNOs, OTT players, Hyperscalers, e.g. Google, Meta, Microsoft, AWS, and other third-party equity investors
- Overlaying demand, network plans and finalising costing
- Supporting the Programme Management Office, Group SCM and Group Commercial teams for infrastructure development and sharing across all Fibre asset classes
- Engaging with Group and market stakeholders, e.g. Group Chief Network Office (CNO), market Chief Technical Officers (CTOs) and relevant technical personnel to drive all Fibre infrastructure development, sharing and joint venture initiatives across markets
- Defining the technology strategy, architecture and operating model for FibreCo and SPVs
- Supporting business case development, due diligence and market assessments
- Aligning network and infrastructure plans to investment and commercial objectives
- Compiling a view of existing network infrastructure for NLD, Metro, FTTH, FTTB and FTTS
- Facilitating due diligence of existing network infrastructure, where required and in consultation with the relevant Group Technology team and local markets
- Facilitating network plans based on agreed criteria for input into business cases
- Facilitating compilation of SPV Fibre network deployment plans in consultation with SPV partners, Group and local markets
- Developing end-to-end network architecture for FibreCo (Backhaul and FTTx) across network, IT, Cyber, NOC, BNG, OLT and ONT dimensioning
- Optimising business structure, partnership and resourcing plans to cater for launch, interim and future scenarios
- Preparing scope of work required for RFP and facilitating RFPs with SCM for proof of concept (POC) and wider-scale deployments
- Preparing specifications of infrastructure required for use in RFPs
- Ensuring network plans align with business cases and ensuring inputs used are well benchmarked and realistic
- Developing end-to-end network architecture for standalone FibreCo SPVs, comprising network, IT (ERP, OSS/BSS, NOC platforms), Cybersecurity, NOC and FFO capability
- Optimising business structure, partnership and resourcing plans to cater for launch, interim and future scenarios
- Ensuring Cybersecurity frameworks, governance and compliance across all systems
- Integrating systems to enable end-to-end operational visibility and automation
- Leading end-to-end deployment plans across plan, build and operate phases
- Managing vendors, partners and RFP processes for network and infrastructure rollout
- Supporting execution governance, reporting and stakeholder alignment
- Engaging with internal leadership, MNOs, TowerCos, investors and regulators
- Supporting licensing, legal agreements and infrastructure partnerships
- Providing technical input into joint venture negotiations and commercial frameworks
- Supporting implementation and execution of plans
- Providing input into detailed stakeholder engagement plans, engaging with regulators and securing licences
- Supporting Legal with shareholder agreements, master lease agreements and related legal drafts
- Participating in regular steering committees
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Geomatics, or related technical discipline
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in network strategy, RF planning, fibre network planning, or integrated network design within telecoms environments
- Proven experience in end-to-end network planning (RAN, fibre/FTTx, backhaul, and core interconnects)
- Demonstrated experience in large-scale network rollout planning, due diligence, and business case development
- Exposure to multi-market or group-level planning environments is advantageous