Principal Specialist: Solutions Architect

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Role Purpose/Business Unit:

Manage a team to design and implement comprehensive technology solutions that meet our customers' complex business needs. The role will require validating and assuring end to end solutions for various Vodacom Business customer requirements using modern architectural frameworks and best practice. You will also support specialist sales, product managers and product architect teams with incrementally evolving our end-to-end solution capabilities across mobile, core connectivity and beyond mobile (fixed, cloud and IoT) to ensure improved customer experience, resiliency, re-usability, scalability and cost management.

Your strong technical skills, combined with your ability to think strategically and solve complex problems, will contribute to the successful implementation of our Vodacom Business TechCo strategy.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Oversee the work of solution architects to identify key end to end functional requirements and support shaping of the end-to-end solution design approach.
• Oversee end to end solutions for complex and multi tower solutions that align with business objectives and our architecture standards, taking into consideration scalability, performance, security and maintainability.
• Capture and drive programmes than enable interconnected offers to enable customers to have a joined up and more effortless experience when consuming beyond mobile products.
• Create and adopt the architectural frameworks and principles to protect the integrity and reusability of the solution throughout the lifecycle, keeping it as simple as possible.
• Collaborate with product architects to define architectural guardrails, product teams for refinement of product features, and with engineering teams and project managers for high level delivery planning.
• Ensure root cause analysis and identifying solution options for complex issues found during delivery or on live services when required.
• Maintain alignment with Enterprise and Integration Architecture standards across all work.
• Definition and enforcement of architecture guidelines, standards and controls.
• Ensure consistency in application architecture and alignment with Vodacom Business architectural standards.
• Assure solution architecture, documentation and ways of working improvement initiatives contributing to the department’s continuous improvement goals.
• Maintain optimal utilisation of the solution architecture teams by matching cross-team resourcing with demand.

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

• Hold a relevant degree in Computer Science, Engineering or IT.
• Postgraduate qualifications (Desirable).
• 7+ years’ experience in Technology architecture and Systems.
• Extensive experience in managing an architecture team.
• Extensive with Domain Architecture and Design.
• Extensive Understanding of TOGAF Framework.
• Extensive Knowledge of:
  • Fixed data communication technologies [including SD-WAN, MPLS, IP VPN technologies]
  • Voice communication technologies [including IPT, NGN, IN, SIP etc…]
  • Mobile data communication technologies [All available Spectrums including 5G, Managed/Secure Mobility]
  • Cloud, Cyber Security & Managed Services
  • Unified Communications solutions
  • IOT
• 3+ years management experience.

Core competencies, knowledge, and experience:

• Business development skills – unlocking the opportunity based on customers’ business requirements.
• Extensive experience in telecoms/IT design with proven technical co-ordination.
• Experience in change management in a technological context.
• Team player, strong influence and relationship management skills.
• A self-starter with a determination to succeed, balanced with appropriate tact and diplomacy.
• Fluent in English.
• Ability to lead in high-growth, high-uncertainty environments.
• Ability to work in an international and distributed virtual team.
• Excellent Customer relationship management skills with ability to interact at Director level.
• Strong communication and decision-making skills – ability to balance conflicting interests.

Behavioural Competencies

• Customer Focus: Prioritizing customer needs and delivering excellent service
• Accountability: seeks feedback and identifies opportunities for improvement or innovation
• Collaboration: Actively fosters collaboration, seeks input and effectively partners
• Resilience: Actively seeks opportunities for growth, demonstrates a strong commitment to self-improvement and has a growth mindset
• Flexibility: uses various techniques to influence others (lobbies, approaches decision makers, finds sponsors)
• People Management: Ensure team work together to deliver on their responsibilities creating accountability and ownership
• Organizational Savvy: Demonstrates strong understanding of assigned strategy for the Business/ Function and creates strong team alignment to the strategy.

We make an impact by offering:

• Enticing incentive programs and competitive benefit packages
• Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits
• Cell phone and data benefits, advantages fibre connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts offered in collaboration with partner companies

Closing date for Applications: 07 October 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.