Strategic Programs PM

Role Purpose

To drive the delivery of strategic, enterprise wide technology and digital transformation programs by ensuring strong alignment between Technology, Business Functions, and Finance on priorities, value realization (ROI), delivery milestones, and CAPEX actualization.
The role ensures that technology investments deliver measurable business impact, are governed effectively, and are executed in line with Vodacom’s strategic priorities, digital roadmap, and financial commitments.

Key Stakeholders

• Technology Leadership (IT, Networks, Digital, Data, Cyber)
• Business Functions (Commercial, Enterprise, Finance, Supply Chain, Operations)
• Budget & Finance (CAPEX/OPEX, Investment Committees)
• PMO / EPMO
• Vendors and Systems Integrators
• Executive Governance Forums / SteerCos

Principal Accountabilities

1. Strategy, Prioritization & Value Realization
• Partner with business and technology functions to define and agree program objectives, priorities, and expected ROI, aligned to Vodacom’s digital and technology strategy.
• Ensure all strategic programs have clear value drivers, business outcomes, and measurable benefits (financial and non financial).
• Continuously monitor program value delivery versus approved business cases, highlighting potential benefit leakage or misalignment early.

2. Program Delivery & Cross Functional Alignment
• Align program roadmaps, milestones, and delivery timelines across Technology domains and business functions.
• Orchestrate interdependencies between enterprise IT, digital platforms, network enablement, and business initiatives.
• Track end to end program progress, ensuring commitments are met and dependencies actively managed.
• Drive disciplined execution across multiple delivery teams and vendors.

3. Risk, Issue & Dependency Management
• Proactively identify delivery risks, financial risks, and value realization gaps across strategic technology programs.
• Assess root causes of delays, scope changes, or ROI deviations.
• Facilitate agreement with functions on mitigation, recovery, or re prioritization plans, and track their execution to closure.

4. Governance & Assurance
• Design, implement, and operate a robust governance framework for strategic technology and digital programs.
• Define decision gates, escalation paths, assurance checkpoints, and accountability models.
• Support investment governance forums with fact based insights, options, and recommendations.
• Ensure consistency with Vodacom group governance, standards, and transformation methodologies.

5. Financial Management & CAPEX Alignment
• Work closely with Finance and Budget teams to align program delivery plans with CAPEX phasing and actualization.
• Track actual spend versus plan and assess financial variances and risks.
• Support financial forecasting, investment optimization, and re allocation decisions where required.
• Ensure traceability between delivery progress, spending, and realized benefits.

6. Reporting & Executive Communication
• Produce regular, executive level reporting covering delivery status, risks, financials, and benefits realization.
• Present clear, concise insights to senior leadership and steerco forums.
• Maintain transparency and trust through accurate, timely, and structured communication.

Core Competencies

Leading Self
• Strategic thinking and commercial acumen
• Strong accountability and ownership mindset
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguity

Leading Others (Without Direct Authority)
• Influencing and stakeholder management at senior levels
• Cross functional collaboration
• Conflict resolution and decision facilitation

Functional & Technical
• Enterprise technology program management
• Digital transformation delivery (IT, platforms, data, automation)
• Governance, risk, and assurance
• Financial and CAPEX management
• Benefits realization and ROI tracking

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science or a related field.
• 5+ years’ experience in technology or digital program management within a telecom or large enterprise environment.
• Proven track record managing complex, multi domain technology programs with significant CAPEX and business impact.
• Experience working across Enterprise IT, Digital Platforms, and Business Functions.
• Strong understanding of telecom operating models, digital enablement, and enterprise architecture.
• Formal certification in Program or Portfolio Management (e.g. MSP, PgMP, SAFe, PMP) is an advantage.

Success Indicators

• Strategic programs delivered on time and within approved investment envelopes
• Realization of agreed ROI and strategic business outcomes
• Reduced delivery and financial risk exposure
• Strong stakeholder confidence in technology investment execution
• Accurate CAPEX actualization aligned to delivery progress