Manager - Pre Sales & Solutions Architect

Bayobab; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A telecommunications company seeks a Presales & Solutions Architect in Johannesburg to design technical solutions for customers. This role requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in telecommunications, with a strong focus on customer service and solution design. The successful candidate will ensure customer satisfaction and support revenue growth through effective relationship management.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience within the telecommunications space.
• Minimum 3 years experience in a Solution design role.
• Experience working in a medium to large organization.

Responsibilities

• Design the end-to-end technical and service solution for customers.
• Build and maintain solid relationships with all stakeholders.
• Accountable for the successful handover of the service to the customer.

Skills

Customer-centric approach

Solution-oriented mindset

Strong public relations skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Education

Minimum 3 Year Academic Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Commerce

Tools

RFP response documentation

Job description

We at Bayobab, we are a purpose and value-led organization.

At Bayobab 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 organisation 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.

Our Live Y’ello Values:

• Lead with Care
• Can-do with Integrity
• Collaborate with Agility
• Serve with Respect
• Act with Inclusion

Mission

The Presales & Solutions Architect (SA) role is responsible to:

• Design the end to end technical and service solution for deals with from customers. The role will be responsible for working with sales and directly with customers in order to design, cost, and document the solution to be offered to customers. The person holding this position is considered experienced, and they require both a hands on and strategic thinking approach.
• The role will focus on end-to-end solution design and architecture for internal and external customer requirements through engagement with all necessary internal and external stakeholders. He/she will cater specifically to internal & external customers to produce timeous feasibility reports and ensure customer satisfaction. In addition, he or she will manage and coordinate the production of pre-sales activities and the contracting process in its entirety which will cover solution design documents, SLA’s etc.
• In addition, the role will develop an implementation plan and project manage delivery of the service to the customer. The role will be accountable for the timeous implementation and successful handover of the service to the customer.

Key Performance Areas:

Input into Operational Planning

• Provide input into operational and promotional planning which will ensure revenue growth within an allocated portfolio of accounts.
• Monitor growth opportunities through competitor activity scanning and feedback to business on such opportunities for further development.
• Recommend ways to exploit new opportunities to grow the business further
• Provide input into the fine tuning of processes, systems and support in line with changing work practices.

Solutions Design

• You will respond to requests for new technology or technology-derived solutions from the customer, but will also be accountable for pro-actively creating new opportunities to deploy solutions within the customer’s environment.
• You will work closely with other members of the MTN and Bayobab team, including: the technical community, Wholesale team, Commercial managers, to ensure that the solution deployed is fit for purpose and can be readily deployed and operated by Bayobab.

Key accountabilities and decision ownership

• Capture and interpret customer requirements, and design complex and custom solutions to meet customer requirements
• Develop feasibility reports in line with customer requirements
• Build accurate scalable cost models and provide input into pricing strategy
• Identify and document any risks to the solution
• Document solution in RFP responses, proposals and Statement of Works/High Level Designs
• Ensure solutions are deliverable in timeframes committed and have passed all appropriate solution governance
• Develop implementation plan and project manage delivery of the service to the customer.
• Accountable for the timeous implementation and successful handover of the service to the customer.

Customer Service and Satisfaction

• Build and maintain solid relationships with all stakeholders.
• Provide on-going support to existing accounts and work actively towards creating new profitable revenue streams through new accounts.
• Ensure all customer queries are attended to and resolved within agreed SLA’s.
• Ensure that customer specifications are met and that the customer is satisfied with the end service and/or product.
• Consider the implications of actions to be taken for the customer / the effect of actions on the customer.
• Interface with customers to provide advice and clarification of customer needs on the best approach to reach the best results.

Quality Control

• Utilize sound practices that comply with best practice, legislation or other regulations / parameters / guidelines.
• Maintain quality standards that will enhance the customer experience and cost efficiency.
• Work consistently according to standard operating procedures.
• Analyse situations and take necessary action to ensure quality is maintained.
• Seek feedback from clients/ stakeholders and continuously seeks ways of improving on quality and customer service standards.

Leadership qualities

• Adopt a customer centric and solution oriented approach
• Build employee relations and collaborative teamwork
• Build professionalism, loyalty and commitment to the organization
• Communicate actively and effectively resolving any potential conflicts that may arise
• Have the self insight and flexibility to adapt to different situations
• Live the MTN and Bayobab Brand
• Technical leadership expertise

Innovation

• Identify and recommend process and system improvements
• Feed information through to relevant areas of the business regarding client needs, opportunities and possibilities to improve processes, technology, quality, customer service and increase profitability
• Strive to automate processes and procedures wherever possible
• Recommend creative and innovative solutions to enhance MTN SA’s performance
• Establish sound relationships with all stakeholders
• Encourage continuous service improvement
• Implement cost-saving activities
• Actively identify new customer opportunities and liaise with relevant management

Education

• Minimum 3 Year Academic Degree in (Engineering; Computer Science, Commerce or related field)

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years experience within the telecommunication space, preferably in the enterprise / wholesale or carrier environment
• Minimum 3 years experience in a Solution design role
• Fixed connectivity and submarine cable business experience (desired)
• Experience working in a medium to large organization
• Experience in dealing with large and/or corporate customers in a solution design or consultancy role
• Experience in Account Management
• Proven sales track record.
• Proven understanding of important financial concept and purchasing practices within the industry

Competencies

• Understanding of the fixed connectivity infrastructure wholesale landscape with a focus on emerging markets
• Understanding of product and solution architecture in the fixed connectivity assets space
• Excellent professional expertise and market knowledge, including good understanding of the competitive environment
• Strong public relations and interpersonal skills to be able to function across multiple business lines in a multicultural environment
• Good understanding of wholesale market products in order to manage and support bids
• Multi-tasking capability to manage complex RFP’s
• Clear understanding and incorporation of the SLA into the customer value proposition.
• Strong networking skills to build Bayobab professional relationships
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Strong analytical, organisational and planning skills to execute commercial reports and inputs form Bayobab budgeting
• Relationship based-sales skills and strong customer focused approach
• Effective oral and written communications and public relations as well as excellent negotiation skills to be able to function across multiple business lines in a multicultural environment
• Strong computer literacy

Other

• Regional and international travel
• Ability to adapt to changing requirements of business and staff members