RAN Lead

Optimal Growth Technologies

Role title: Group Technology RAN Lead: Infrastructure Development & Sharing

Support creation & development of infrastructure joint venture Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV's) across companies markets focussing on Towers, Power & RAN (BTS and microwave)
SPV Technology Strategy, Architecture and Operating model design for the SPV's
Source, drive and negotiate strategic partnerships – vendors, investors, and customers
Support the resourcing of Group and in-market SPV teams (headcount resources)
Alignment with Group technology strategy and supply chain processes
Drive infrastructure sharing, co-build initiatives across ALL market within the Vodacom Group in partnership with other MNO's, TowerCos or other 3rd party equity investors
Overlay demand, network plans and finalise costing
Support the Programme Management Office, Group SCM and Group Commercial teams for infrastructure development and sharing across ALL Tower, power and RAN asset classes
Engage with company and market stakeholders, e.g. Group Chief Network Office (CNO) and market Chief Technical Officers (CTOs) and/or relevant technical personnel to drive all tower related infrastructure development

a. TowerCo Set-up & Strategy

Define the technology strategy, architecture, and operating model for the TowerCo/SPV
Support business case development, due diligence, and market assessments
Align network and infrastructure plans to investment and commercial objectives

b. End-to-End Network Planning

Compile a view of existing active and passive network infrastructure comprising of towers, power and RAN across markets
Facilitate due diligence of existing network infrastructure, where required and in consultation with the relevant team and local markets
Facilitate the compilation of SPV fibre network deployment plans in consultation with the SPV partner/s, Group and local markets
Lead integrated network planning across RAN, microwave backhaul, and core interconnects
Develop capacity forecasts, coverage plans, and deployment strategies
Ensure optimisation of Capex, Opex, and network performance
Ensure network plans align with business case and inputs used are well benchmarked and realistic
Prepare specifications of infrastructure required to be used in RFP's

Define requirements for tower infrastructure, power systems, and site design
Enable multi-tenancy, infrastructure sharing, and co-build models
Oversee planning for site acquisition, build, acceptance, and lifecycle management

d. IT, OSS/BSS & Cybersecurity

Develop an End-to-end network architecture, comprising of network, IT (ERP, OSS/BSS, NOC platforms), Cybersecurity, NOC and FFO capability
Ensure cybersecurity frameworks, governance, and compliance across all systems
Integrate systems to enable end-to-end operational visibility and automation

e. Programme & Delivery Management

Lead end-to-end deployment plans (plan, build, operate phases)
Manage vendors, partners, and RFP processes for network and infrastructure rollout
Support execution governance, reporting, and stakeholder alignment

f. Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement

g. Execution

h. Legal and Regulatory

Input into detailed Stakeholder engagement plan, Engage with Regulators and secure licenses
Support legal with Shareholder agreements, Master lease agreements and all related legal drafts

i. Governance

Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Geomatics, or related technical discipline.

Minimum 10 years' experience in telecommunications networking, with strong exposure to network strategy, RF (RAN) planning, and fibre network planning
Proven experience in end-to-end network planning, including RAN, fibre (FTTH/FTTB/FTTS,
Metro, NLD), backhaul, and core interconnect
Demonstrated experience in large-scale network rollout planning, due diligence, and business case development
Experience working in multi-market or Group Technology environments and supporting strategic infrastructure initiatives