Chief Technology Officer

Job Description

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) will be a visionary and strategic leader, responsible for defining and executing Ilitha Telecommunication’s technology roadmap, fostering innovation, and ensuring the development and delivery of cutting-edge products and services. The CTO will oversee all aspects of technology within the organization, from infrastructure and cybersecurity to the development of BSS/OSS systems and data strategy, driving digital transformation and maintaining a competitive edge.

Key Responsibilities

1. Technology Strategy & Vision:

1. Develop and articulate a compelling technology vision and strategy that aligns with the overall business goals and long-term objectives.
2. Create and manage the technology roadmap, ensuring it supports scalability, efficiency, security, and future growth.
3. Identify and evaluate emerging technologies (e.g., AI, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing) to determine their potential impact and applicability to the business.
4. Provide strategic insights and recommendations to the executive team on technology-related opportunities and risks.

2. Product Development & Innovation:

1. Enable and support product development,
2. Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous improvement within the technology teams.
3. Ensure the adoption of best practices in billing systems and customer relationship management systems.
4. Drive the continuous enhancement of existing products and services and the creation of new, innovative offerings.

3. Technology Operations & Infrastructure:

1. Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of the company’s entire technology infrastructure, including optic fibre networks, radio networks, software, and data centres.
2. Ensure the reliability, scalability, security, and performance of all IT systems and applications.
3. Develop and implement robust cybersecurity measures, data privacy policies, and disaster recovery plans.
4. Manage relationships with technology vendors and partners, evaluating and selecting the most suitable solutions and services.

4. Programme Management

1. Manage largescale capital expenditure programme for the company ensuring industry beating capex efficiency.
2. Plan and build large optic fibre rollout programmes.

5. Leadership & Team Management:

1. Provide strong leadership, mentorship, and guidance to the technology department (software engineers, IT specialists, data scientists, etc.).
2. Build, attract, and retain a high-performing and diverse technology team.
3. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance work environment.
4. Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance metrics for the technology teams.

6. Financial & Risk Management:

1. Develop and manage the technology budget, optimizing resource allocation and ensuring cost-effective solutions.
2. Identify and mitigate technology-related risks, including cybersecurity threats, data breaches, and system failures.
3. Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations, data protection laws (e.g., GDPR, POPIA), and intellectual property issues.

7. Cross-functional Collaboration & Communication

1. Collaborate effectively with other C-suite executives and department heads (e.g., Marketing, Sales, Operations, Finance) to ensure technology supports their objectives.
2. Communicate complex technical concepts clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
3. Act as a key evangelist for the company’s technological capabilities, both internally and externally.

Candidate Requirements

1. Required Skills and Qualifications

1. Education: Bachelor’s degree (or Diploma) in engineering, Create and manage the technology roadmap, ensuring it supports scalability, efficiency, security, and future growth.
2. Information Technology, or a related field. A Master’s degree (e.g., MBA, MS in Computer Science, or Technology Management) is highly preferred.

2. Experience:

1. Minimum of 10-15+ years of progressive experience in technology roles, with a strong background in telecommunications, systems architecture, and IT infrastructure management.
2. At least 5-7 years of proven leadership and management experience in a senior technology role.
3. Demonstrated track record of successfully leading large-scale technology projects and initiatives, delivering results on time and within budget. d.Experience driving digital transformation initiatives and leveraging cloud technologies.

3. Technical Expertise:

1. Deep knowledge of Telecommunications technologies especially Optic fibre and Radio Access Technologies.
2. Sound knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and cloud-native architectures.
3. Understanding cybersecurity frameworks, data protection, and network security.
4. Exposure to data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence concepts.
5. Experience with enterprise-level systems and complex IT environments.

4. Leadership & Business Acumen:

1. Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to translate business objectives into effective technology strategies.
2. Outstanding leadership, team-building, and people management skills, with a focus on talent development and motivation.
3. Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, able to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
4. Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, cost optimization, and ROI analysis.
5. Ability to make data-driven decisions and adapt quickly to changing market conditions and technological advancements.

5. Soft Skills:

1. Visionary and innovative mindset.
2. High level of integrity and ethical conduct.
3. Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
4. Resilient and adaptable to a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
5. Strong organizational and project management abilities.