Program Project Manager: Roodepoort

Arid Talent Solutions CC

Programme / Project Manager (OSS & Network Inventory)

Location: South Africa (Hybrid / On-site as required)

Industry: Telecommunications

Contract Type: Fixed-Term Contract (3-Year Project)

Reports to: Chief Technology Officer (CTO) / Programme Director

1 . Role Overview

Our client, a leading player in the South African Telecommunications sector, is seeking a highly experienced Programme / Project Manager to lead a critical, 3-year digital transformation initiative. The primary objective is the large-scale implementation of a new Operations Support System (OSS) and Network Inventory platform.

This is a high-impact role requiring a strategic thinker who can bridge the gap between technical engineering teams and business stakeholders. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of delivering complex, multi-million-rand telecommunications projects within the African market.

2. Key Responsibilities

Programme Leadership & Strategy

Lead the end-to-end delivery of the OSS and Network Inventory implementation programme over a 3-year lifecycle.

Develop and maintain detailed programme roadmaps, project plans, and resource allocation strategies.

Manage the programme budget (CAPEX and OPEX), ensuring strict financial governance and cost control.

Act as the primary point of contact for executive stakeholders, providing regular status reports, risk analysis, and mitigation strategies.

Technical Implementation & Vendor Management:

Oversee the integration of OSS/BSS systems with existing network infrastructure (Fixed, Mobile, Fiber).

Manage relationships with external software vendors and system integrators, ensuring SLAs are met and deliverables align with business requirements.

Ensure the accuracy and integrity of Network Inventory data (physical and logical) across the enterprise.

Drive the adoption of Agile and Waterfall methodologies as appropriate for different workstreams.

Stakeholder & Team Management

Coordinate cross-functional teams, including Network Engineers, Software Developers, Data Analysts, and Change Management specialists.

Manage the change management process to ensure smooth transition and user adoption across operational teams.

Identify and resolve interdependencies between the OSS programme and other concurrent IT/Network projects.

Essential Requirements

Experience

Minimum 8–10 years of experience in Project/Programme Management, with at least 5 years specific to the Telecommunications industry.

Proven track record: Must have successfully delivered at least two large-scale OSS and Network Inventory implementations (e.g., Amdocs, Netcracker, Nokia, Huawei, Ericsson, or similar).

Experience managing 3-year+ project lifecycles with budgets exceeding R50 million.

Strong understanding of TM Forum (TMF) standards (e.g., ODA, Open APIs) and eTOM frameworks.

Technical Skills

Deep understanding of Network Inventory concepts (Logical vs. Physical inventory, GIS integration, Fiber-to-the-X).

Familiarity with OSS architecture (Service Fulfillment, Assurance, Performance Management).

Proficiency in project management tools (MS Project, Jira, Azure DevOps, ServiceNow).

Soft Skills

Exceptional leadership and conflict resolution skills.

Strong commercial acumen and vendor negotiation skills.

Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, evolving telecom environment.

Desirable Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or Business Management.

Certifications: PMP (Project Management Professional), PgMP (Programme Management Professional), or PRINCE2 Practitioner. Agile/SAFe certifications are advantageous.

Local Context: Prior experience working within the South African telecommunications regulatory environment (ICASA) and understanding of local market dynamics.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Delivery: Adherence to the 3-year roadmap milestones (Go-Live dates).

Budget: Variance against approved programme budget (<5% deviation).

Quality: Accuracy of network inventory data post-migration (>98%).

Stakeholder Satisfaction: Positive feedback from business units and executive sponsors.

Risk: Mitigation of critical path risks and zero unplanned downtime during cutover

To Apply please email me an updated profile: ***email_hidden***