Technical Operations Director - Lagos, Nigeria

Employ Africa; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Employ Africa is seeking a Technical Operations Director to lead the company's technological vision. The role includes overseeing IoT solutions, managing cross-functional teams, and ensuring compliance with local and international standards. The ideal candidate will have a deep technical background, strategic planning abilities, and extensive experience in the IoT space.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of experience in IoT, telematics, energy management, or industrial automation.
• Proven leadership in deploying IoT solutions across multiple industries.
• Experience managing global teams and navigating international markets is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for all technical operations to support business growth.
• Manage regional operations and optimize systems development and performance.
• Develop and enforce SOPs for consistent and efficient project execution.

Skills

IoT Systems

Telematics & Fleet Management

Remote Monitoring

Energy & Power

Embedded Systems & Networking

Cloud & Data Analytics

Cybersecurity

Cyber Security

Data Analysis Tools

GPS Tracking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Computer Science, Marine Engineering, or related fields.

Advanced degrees or certifications such as PMP, Six Sigma

Job description

Department/Unit: Technical
Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Job Purpose

The Technical Operations Director plays a pivotal role in driving the company’s technological vision and aligning engineering initiatives with overall business goals. This position demands a strategic thinker with a deep technical background, proven leadership capabilities, and expertise in managing cross-functional projects.

The successful candidate will lead the technical team and oversee the development, deployment, and optimization of IoT-driven solutions—spanning fuel management, telematics, power management, and telecommunications infrastructure.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: CEO
Direct Reports:

• Head of Technical Operations
  
  
• Technical Support Engineers
  
  
• Site Engineers
  
  

Key Responsibilities Technical Operations Leadership

• Provide strategic direction for all technical operations to support business growth.
  
  
• Advise senior leadership on technology strategy and innovation.
  
  
• Oversee the execution of engineering projects from design to maintenance.
  
  
• Manage regional operations and optimize systems development and performance.
  
  
• Foster collaboration across engineering, procurement, project management, and field operations teams.
  
  

Project Management & Execution

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of technical projects.
  
  
• Ensure projects meet quality, compliance, and regulatory standards.
  
  
• Develop and enforce SOPs for consistent and efficient project execution.
  
  
• Leverage data analytics to monitor and enhance project performance.
  
  

Resource Management

• Oversee allocation of personnel, equipment, and materials across projects.
  
  
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to client satisfaction.
  
  
• Optimize resource planning to meet evolving operational needs.
  
  

Operational Efficiency & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with local and international standards in IoT, fuel, and telecom sectors.
  
  
• Monitor and optimize system performance for maximum efficiency.
  
  
• Establish security protocols for safeguarding digital infrastructure and data.
  
  
• Align operations with ISO standards, safety laws, and environmental guidelines.
  
  

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Define KPIs for technical operations and track ongoing progress.
  
  
• Conduct system audits and identify areas for performance improvement.
  
  
• Develop risk management strategies to prevent technical failures.
  
  
• Provide the executive team with insights on project status and operational challenges.
  
  

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with clients, partners, and regulatory bodies.
  
  
• Maintain open communication with stakeholders to gather feedback and drive improvement.
  
  
• Manage vendor and client relationships effectively, ensuring contract compliance.
  
  
• Work cross-functionally with sales, marketing, and customer service teams to align on business needs.
  
  
• Assign clear responsibilities and priorities to team members and hold them accountable for outcomes.
  
  

Required Skills & Competencies Technical Expertise

• IoT Systems: Knowledge of device connectivity, cloud platforms, and real-time analytics.
  
  
• Telematics & Fleet Management: GPS tracking, vehicle diagnostics, predictive maintenance.
  
  
• Remote Monitoring: SCADA systems, sensor technology, IoT dashboards.
  
  
• Energy & Power: Smart grid systems, hybrid power solutions, load balancing.
  
  
• Embedded Systems & Networking: Edge computing, communication protocols (LPWAN, 4G/5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth).
  
  
• Cloud & Data Analytics: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud; predictive analytics using AI.
  
  
• Cybersecurity: Device-level security, encryption standards, global IoT compliance.
  
  

Leadership & Management

• Strategic technology planning and roadmap development.
  
  
• Cross-functional team leadership across engineering and R&D.
  
  
• Innovation in emerging tech like AI, blockchain, and digital twins.
  
  
• Strong financial and vendor management skills.
  
  
• Thorough understanding of global regulatory requirements.
  
  

Industry Expertise

• Experience with Industrial IoT, automation, and predictive maintenance.
  
  
• Proven delivery in energy, logistics, oil & gas, and infrastructure sectors.
  
  
• Strong grasp of enterprise systems and B2B tech alignment.
  
  

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Computer Science, Marine Engineering, or related fields.
  
  
• Advanced degrees or certifications such as PMP, Six Sigma are preferred.
  
  

Experience:

• 10–15+ years of experience in IoT, telematics, energy management, or industrial automation.
  
  
• Proven leadership in deploying IoT solutions across multiple industries.
  
  
• Experience managing global teams and navigating international markets is an advantage.
  
  
• Industry experience with companies such as HP Fast Lane, Fuel Buddy, FleetX, Peltek, Koel Green, Orpak, Siemens, Huawei, Schneider, etc., is highly desirable.
  
  

Desired Skills:

• Cyber Security
• Data Analysis Tools
• GPS Tracking