Manager Core VAS and Digital Services Architecture / Digital Platform and Services

MTN Group; Roodepoort; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading telecommunications company is seeking a Manager for Core VAS and Digital Services Architecture to design and oversee the implementation of various service architectures. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in technology management, specifically within the telecommunications sector. Responsibilities include managing technology roadmaps, ensuring compliance with governance processes, and optimizing services for enhanced customer experience. Candidates should possess strong leadership and communication skills, along with a relevant academic background.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Technology Management experience.
• 8-10 years total experience in relevant sector.
• Fluent in English and local language.

Responsibilities

• Design the architecture for Core VAS and Digital Services.
• Manage and oversee technology roadmaps and architectures.
• Ensure compliance with MTN Governance processes.

Skills

Communication

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Leadership

Innovation

Adaptability

Education

BSc Eng / B Eng Degree

Master’s degree

Architecture certification (TOGAF, TM Forum ODAF)

Job description

Overview

At MTN we believe that understanding our people’s needs and aspirations is key to creating experiences that delight you at work, every day. We are committed to fostering an environment where every member of our Y’ello Family is heard, understood, and empowered to live an inspired life. Our values keep us grounded and moving in the right direction. Most importantly, they keep us honest. It is not something we claim to be. It is in our DNA. As an organisation, we consider it our mission to create an exciting and rewarding place to work, where our people can be themselves, thrive in positivity and ignite their full potential. A workplace that boosts creativity and innovation, improves productivity, and ultimately drives meaningful results. A workplace that is built on relationships and achieving a purpose that is bigger than us. This is what we want you to experience with us! Our commitments go beyond an organisational promise. It is in our leadership and managerial ethos to meaningfully partner with our employees, customers, and stakeholders with a vision to realise our shared goals. Our values dubbed, LIVE Y’ello, are the cornerstone of our culture. Lead with Care; Can-do with Integrity; Collaborate with Agility; Serve with Respect; Act with Inclusion.

Mission / Core purpose of the Job
The Manager Core VAS and Digital Services Architecture is responsible for the design of the various Services Architectures and mapping business requirements to technical requirements and capabilities. The Manager will work with the Group Technology and OpCo/PlatformCo Technology teams to deliver Core VAS and Digital Services solutions and maintain an application services portfolio that meets commercial and customer requirements to support the various MTN businesses across Connectivity, Fintech and Digital Infrastructure platform businesses performing his/her duties through effective management of technology.

The Manager will prioritise Shaping and Safeguarding by working across the Core VAS and Digital Services sub-domains to create and maintain a portfolio of technology roadmaps as well as craft reference architectures and solutions for the Group and influence the correct adoption of the services solutions architectures through oversight, and architectural influence on OpCo/PlatformCo solution architecture. The Manager will also be responsible for shaping MTN’s readiness for services emerging from technologies that are expected to redefine Core Digital Services over the medium to long term time horizons. Key success factors for this role include the ability to enable business goals through technology, with a focus on customer experience improvement and satisfaction as well as performance and security requirements, in line with MTN standards, through the development, implementation and maintenance of Core VAS and Digital Services Architectures for the Group and its affiliates.

Key Performance Areas (KPA)

• Understand the external factors, strategy directions, business drivers and macro-economic impact on MTN and interpret this impact into meaningful scenarios and Core VAS and Digital Services architecture solutions.
• Monitor and evaluate competitive offerings that could change the Core VAS and Digital Services domain landscape and ascertain the impact this will have on MTN.
• Identify, evaluate and conduct deep network analyses to detect bottlenecks in the Core VAS and Digital Services domain and solve these using optimisation procedures and new features / solutions to improve customer connectivity and experiences.
• Conduct Core VAS and Digital Services architecture technology performance, optimisation and troubleshooting testing to provide a high-quality experience for the MTN customer.
• Design and deliver customer centric Core VAS and Digital Services technical architecture solutions according to a strategic roadmap, based on what capabilities and functionalities are currently in place, and on what must be developed to reach the future state.
• Define and communicate high level technical and integrated business architecture requirements to inform business use cases.
• Translate the technical architecture into ‘fit for purpose’ business models (capabilities) and requirements.
• Develop the Core VAS and Digital Services architectures (current state and future state) considering the logical grouping of activities.
• Comply and ensure adoption of MTN Governance processes, including active participation and presentations at Architecture Working Committees, Technology Security Governance Committee, Operations and Sourcing Committees, Technology and AI Committee, Finance Committees etc.
• Liaise with and determine appropriateness of vendors or third parties that can create Core VAS and Digital Services revenue generating potential services both within MTN as well as externally to customers; and in order to enhance Core VAS and Digital Services.
• Originate shared value for all Core VAS and Digital Services stakeholders (Technology Peers, Business Units, OpCo’s, PlatformCo's, Customers, Communities, Partners, Governments, Shareholders) through the delivery of Services solutions chiefly using mechanisms in line with the Group mandate of Shaping and Safeguarding.
• Exemplifying Service Architectural Leadership and Custodianship, both Strategic and Tactical across the Core VAS and Digital Services domain.
• Manage, oversee and maintain Core VAS and Digital Services Architecture holistically and make proposed improvements when required across its sub-domains: VAS Messaging Services and Channel Platforms, VAS Voice Services and Channel Platforms, Core Network Services Exposure and NaaS, Location Based Services, SIM Based Services, Self-Service Capabilities, Mobile Application Channels, Content Services, CRBT Services, Multimedia, Entertainment and Streaming Video and Music Services, Gaming and Gamification Services, Mobile Advertising Services, eVertical Services.
• Keep abreast with new trends and technologies to ensure MTN’s Services remain sustainable and provides competitive offerings.
• Ensure the responsible crafting and implementation of AI across the current and evolved Core VAS and Digital Services sub domains.
• Ensure relevant/appropriate cost management, sustainability and security through effective architectures and its subsequent adoption or usage for MTN across technology considerations, for example, Cloud, APIs, AI etc.
• Design, specify and select solutions, considering functionality, service OKRs and KPIs, data, security, integration, infrastructure, deployment, analytics, observability, operations, performance, assurance, fraud management, data privacy, risk, legal and regulatory.
• Ensure the performance and security of Core VAS and Digital Services Architecture is aligned to MTN standards and specifications.
• Exposure and engagement on emerging technology domains such as Web3, Blockchain, AR/VR, Digital Currency, service innovation and research on Core Network Evolution, 6G, quantum computing frameworks, advanced cryptography etc.
• Active participation in industry forums (., GSMA, Ethereum Foundation, ITU-T) related to future technology standards.
• Services Innovation Governance establishment through sandbox environments for piloting emerging technologies and contribute to architecture governance processes for disruptive tech adoption across MTN OpCo’s and PlatformCo’s.

Key Deliverables

• Develop and maintain technology roadmaps and reference architectures aligned with MTN’s digital transformation strategy
• Create and maintain technology related processes
• Review and track OpCo technology maturity for Core VAS and Digital Services domain
• Core VAS Digital Services Project Reporting and Project Management
• Create budgets in line with roadmap and technology maturity execution
• Review and Input to OpCo/PlatformCo Solution Architectures
• Review and input to Business Cases for Technology Implications, Coverage and Costs
• Create Scope of Work and Criteria for Sourcing processes
• Review and Input to GFA’s, Contracts, Renewals, Product User Journeys, Processes, Feature Requirements and Data Privacy artefacts
• Define and track KPIs for architecture adoption, project delivery, and customer experience.
• Lead AI/ML and automation initiatives within Core VAS and Digital Services
• Data-informed decision-making within Core VAS and Digital Services.
• Mentor and coach junior architects and cross-functional teams
• Ensure compliance with cybersecurity, data privacy, and sustainability standards
• Foster cross-functional collaboration with Product, Marketing, Legal, Regulatory, Risk, Data Privacy, Revenue Assurance and Fraud Management, Fintech, Digital Infrastructure teams
• Engage with external partners, startups, and industry forums to drive innovation

Role Dependencies

• Active support from the Senior Manager: Core VAS and Digital Services
• Understanding of the Group technology, business and regulatory context
• Timely decision making and reporting
• Legacy integration governance support
• Cross work stream support and alignment especially from relevant Domain Enterprise Architects
• Current knowledge of technology solutions and best practice
• Integrity and quality of legacy integration from Operating Units and programme team
• Positive working relationship with the programme work stream Principals and Leads
• Knowledge of programme streams and KPI’s
• Knowledge of MTN’s Operating Model and Governance

Job Requirements (Education, Experience, Competencies and Behaviours)

Education:
- Minimum 4-year Academic Degree (BSc Eng / B Eng Degree)
- Master’s degree (advantageous)
- Relevant Architecture certification, accreditation, and membership with professional bodies as needed for the role, for example, TOGAF and TM Forum ODAF (advantageous)
- Fluent in English and language of country (preferable)

Experience:
- 5 years of Technology Management experience
- 8-10 years’ total experience in CSP, DSP, TechCo, PlatformCo relevant sector or industry with areas of specialisation comprising minimum:
• 5 years’ Systems Engineering and Planning experience
• 5 years’ experience in Telecommunications Architecture practices and implementation as well as service layer evolutions as defined by 3GPP, ITU-T, ETSI, GSMA
• 5 years’ experience in Enterprise Architecture practices and implementation defined by TOGAF, TM Forum ODAF.
• 5 years’ cumulative experience with Core Telecommunications Stack . Mobile Devices, Radio Access and Core Network signalling and protocol knowledge.
• 5 years’ cumulative experience of IT Digital Stack . Channels, Services and Application layer, Content Delivery and Aggregation, Service Integration and Enablement, BSS capabilities including Product and Order Provisioning and Orchestrations, Subscriptions Management, CRM, Payments, Charging, Assurance, CVM, Data Lake, Analytics and Reporting knowledge.
• 4 years’ cumulative experience with Cloud, API and AI Services technologies.
• 8+ years’ cumulative Architecture experience for the following Services domains: VAS Messaging Services and Channel Platforms, for example, SMS, USSD, Rich Messaging, CPaaS etc.; VAS Voice Services and Channel Platforms, for example, IVR, Call Completion Services, Voicemail, OBD etc.; Core Network Services Exposure and NaaS; Location Based Services ;SIM Based Services, Self-Service Capabilities; Mobile Application Channels and Services; Content Services; CRBT Services; Multimedia, Entertainment and Streaming Video and Audio Services; Gaming and Gamification Services; Mobile Advertising Services; eVertical Services, for example, eHome, eHealth, eEducation etc.
- Candidate must be highly skilled at communication with excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills
- Candidate must have worked across diverse cultures and geographies with a proven track record of ccommitment to fostering diverse and inclusive teams
- Candidate must have experience working in a medium-to-large organisation

Competencies:
- Accountable, Strategy Implementers, Decisive Problem Solver, Best Practice Value Creator
- Culture and Change Champion, Influencing People Manager, Relationship Builder
- Results Achiever, Operationally Astute, Takes Ownership, Proactive and Inclusive Communication
- Active Listening, Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Resolution, Compassionate Leadership
- Futurist mindset with ability to translate speculative tech into actionable architecture.
- Strong innovation leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
- High adaptability and resilience in ambiguous, fast-evolving environments.

Behaviours:
- Act purposefully by Identifying and solving societal and scalable enterprise level opportunities and challenges through subject matter expertise.
- Instil in your engagements a culture of courage and continuous adaptability (failure and learning) to drive innovation and entrepreneurial thinking so that MTN remains sustainable.
- Deliver things of value with speed through Influencing by building mutual respect, rapport and a sense of camaraderie with key stakeholders.
- Leading self, and others with Knowledge, Care, Change Agency and Backbone for stakeholder empowerment and faster decisioning.

Other:
- Regional and international travel (if required)