• Job Description

  Req#: 229708

  Role purpose:

  The Head of Products will be at the vanguard of the company's transition from traditional telecommunications to cutting-edge ICT across diverse African markets. This group role emphasizes the formulation and oversight of a long-term product vision (3-5 years), collaborating with operating companies across different regions for execution. Balancing expertise in mobile and fixed technologies with an understanding of Africa's unique market dynamics is paramount, as well as sustaining & growing core telco revenue lines that are still essential for the group. Equally critical is the establishment and nurturing of alliances to design, develop, and market products and services with unparalleled scale and capillarity.

  Your responsibilities will include:

  Long-term product vision & regional collaboration:

  • Co-create a 3-5 year product vision and work closely with operating companies in various regions to align and execute this vision, ensuring tailored strategies based on unique local needs, while still maintaining a shared group vision.

  Alliances:

  • Execute relationships with key players including hyperscalers, connectivity wholesalers, system integrators, and global tech and telecommunication firms, while co-creating products and joint go-to-market strategies, leveraging the strengths of both parties for scalable solutions and a wider market reach.

  Technological leadership & mastery:

  • Stay updated on mobile & fixed technology evolution (like FWA and LEO satellite), and ensure the integration of cloud solutions, cybersecurity, unified communications, software-defined networking, IoT, and managed services into the product roadmap in a value-enhancing way to the operating companies.

  Stakeholder management & team leadership:

  • Engage a diverse array of stakeholders across different cultures, emphasizing teamwork, knowledge sharing, and close collaboration with local teams, while cultivating a culture of innovation, fostering expertise, and facilitating continuous learning programs with relentless focus on the customer.

  Performance management:

  • Establish and review metrics that measure the success of the product vision across regions, ensuring alignment with the group's overarching objectives.

  The ideal candidate for this role will have:

  • Matric – Essential
  • Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields - Essential
  • An MBA or other master’s level post-graduate studies – Advantageous
  • A minimum of 8-10 years proven track record in Telecommunications, ICT or product management with a minimum of 5 year’s management/supervisory experience - Essential

  
  Core competencies, knowledge and experience:

  • Thorough understanding of new product development methodologies, processes and best practices, including but not limited to product lifecycle management and the ability to develop value cases to support the product development roadmap in multiple territories.
  • Good understanding of fundamentals of product propositions including but not limited to demand creation, segmentation, market mix, positioning, targeting and customer value management
  • Good understands of our key products, cloud, DC, Saas and expertise in IT and digital architecture
  • A natural networker, adept at establishing and cultivating relationships that align with the company's vision and objectives
  • Have experience in operating in group and operating company environments within technology and communication companies would be beneficial
  • Have strong technical and commercial understanding and experience of mobile, fixed and platform-based products and services

  
  Closing date for Applications: 10 November 2023.

  The base location for this role is Vodacom, Midrand Campus.

  
  The Company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.
  Vodacom is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates and values diversity & inclusion.

• About the company

  Vodafone Group plc is a British multinational telecommunications company.

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