Executive Head of Data

Job Description

When it comes to putting people first, we're number 1.

The number 1 Top Employer in South Africa.
Certified by the Top Employer Institute 2026.

Role Purpose/Business Unit:

To define and execute Vodacom Group’s enterprise data vision and strategy, enabling the organisation to become a data first enterprise by 2030 through the creation, scaling and adoption of high quality data products, strong governance, and embedded data driven decision making across all markets and Group functions

Your responsibilities will include:

1. Define and Execute the Group Enterprise Data Strategy
• Define and own the Vodacom Group Enterprise Data Strategy, aligned to the Data First 2030 ambition and broader Group strategy.
• Establish enterprise data priorities, roadmaps and investment themes across markets and Group functions.
• Provide strategic guidance and decision ownership on data value pools, monetisation opportunities and value realisation frameworks.

2. Establish and Scale Enterprise Data Products and Platforms
• Drive the productization of data products to enable reuse and scalable consumption across markets and Group services.
• Partner with Technology and Data Infrastructure teams to ensure robust, secure and modern data platforms underpin enterprise data delivery.
• Ensure discoverability, quality, adoption and lifecycle management of data products across the organisation.

3. Embed Data Governance, Compliance and Trust
• Partner with Data Governance to ensure compliance with data governance, quality and regulatory frameworks across all markets.
• Provide leadership on responsible data usage, ensuring Data Products are managed ethically, securely and in line with regulatory expectations.
• Act as a senior escalation point for enterprise data risks, balancing innovation with compliance and trust.

4. Drive Data Driven Culture, Adoption and Executive Alignment
• Enable a data first culture by improving data literacy, fluency and decision making capability across the organisation.
• Engage and align senior executives, market leadership teams and key stakeholders on data strategy, priorities and outcomes.
• Represent Vodacom Group in partner engagements related to enterprise data and data driven innovation

5. Lead the Group Data Operating Model and Capability
• Design, establish and evolve the Group Data Function, including operating model, ways of working and stakeholder engagement.
• Build and lead a high performing enterprise data capability, developing talent, leadership depth and succession pipelines.
• Define and track data product maturity, adoption and value KPIs across operating companies and Group functions.

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

• Master's or Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Information systems, Business Intelligence or a related quantitative field (essential).
• MBA or postgraduate business qualification is advantageous.
• Professional certifications in data management (e.g. DAMA CDMP), cloud platforms, or data governance frameworks are beneficial.
• Previous work experience in telecoms/technology industries

Core competencies, knowledge and experience:
• Deep knowledge of enterprise data strategy, data management, data architecture, data governance frameworks, and data product management.
• Strong understanding of modern data platform technologies including cloud-native data lakes, lake houses, data mesh and data fabric concepts.
• Proficiency with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and awareness of data engineering, MLOps and AI/ML deployment patterns.
• Familiarity with data cataloguing, metadata management and data quality tooling (e.g. Collibra, Alation, Apache Atlas).
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate data investments into measurable business value and ROI.
• Ability to lead, inspire and develop cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams across diverse cultural and organisational contexts.
• knowledge agile methodology and ways of working

Closing date for Applications: 22 April 2026

The base location for this role is Midrand, Vodacom 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.