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Manager: Research & Development

Posting Country:  South Africa
Date Posted:  7 May 2025
Full Time / Part Time:  Full Time
Contract Type:  Permanent

At Vodacom, we’re working hard to build a better future. A more connected, inclusive and sustainable world. As a dynamic global community, it's our human spirit, together with technology, that empowers us to achieve this. 

We challenge and innovate in order to connect people, businesses, and communities across the world. Delighting our customers and earning their loyalty drive us, and we experiment, learn fast and get it done, together.

With us, you can be truly be yourself and belong, share inspiration, embrace new opportunities, thrive, and make a real difference. 
 

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 2025.

Role Purpose/Business Unit:

 

To lead, coordinate and drive the Research & Development function within Vodacom Group Technology, ensuring that emerging technology trends, innovation opportunities, and evolving industry capabilities are investigated, evaluated, and translated into tangible strategic initiatives that result in revenue growth, cost efficiency and unmatched customer experience for the Vodacom Group.

Your responsibilities will include:

 

Collaborate with the Technology Strategy Team to co-lead the identification and evaluation of emerging technologies, innovation enablers, and disruptive trends in telecoms and adjacent industries.
Establish the Group’s position on these trends and advise the SLT on their strategic implications.
Identify, opportunities/challenges across the business and facilitate/guide the execution of initiatives (proof-of-concepts/trials/proof-of-value assessments) that address these opportunities/challenges.
Measure and articulate their potential impact and value to the business, including commercial, operational, and customer benefits.  Translate this into commercial/operational strategies to be presented to senior leadership.
Collaborate closely with technology strategy, networks, IT, commercial teams, the Vodafone R&D team, and operational markets to identify business challenges/opportunities that R&D can address. 
Translate abstract opportunities into well-structured, technically feasible initiatives. 
Build and maintain strategic relationships with academia, research institutions, vendors, startups, and partners to harness external innovation. 
Represent the Group in relevant forums, think tanks, and collaborative innovation initiatives
Tracking, Reporting and Administration of R&D initiatives across the Vodacom Group markets, and to the Tech Exco/SLT at regular intervals. Manage, mentor and inspire a team of R&D professionals, while fostering a culture of experimentation, curiosity, and structured exploration. 
Ensure knowledge transfer and publication of findings internally across markets and functions. 

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

 

Matric/Grade 12 (or SAQA Accredited equivalent) is essential
A relevant 4-year Honours Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or Information Systems is essential
A postgraduate qualification (Masters/PhD) in a technology or innovation-related field is highly desirable
A minimum of 10 years in telecoms or ICT, with at least 3 years with experience in an R&D, innovation, systems design/architecture or technology strategy function.
Experience in vendor management, and contract negotiations

Core competencies, knowledge, and experience:

 

In depth knowledge of ICT & Telecommunication Industry at large
In depth knowledge of multiple technology domains with breadth/depth of knowledge in specific areas. 
Proven ability to conduct using multiple resources.
General knowledge of key technology concepts that impact Telecommunications and the broader ICT industry to provide thought leadership
Process, Communications and Collaboration Leadership
Use of English language for professional technical writing to produce presentations and documents that are of global industry standard

 

We make an impact by offering:

 

Enticing incentive programs, competitive benefit packages, and an exclusive 13th cheque
Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits
Cell phone and data benefits, advantages fiber connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts offered in collaboration with partner companies

 

Closing date for Applications: 21 May 2025

 

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 organizational culture that recognizes, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.
 

Commitment from Vodacom

Vodacom is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the very best people by offering a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace in which talent is truly recognized, developed and rewarded. We believe that diversity plays an important role in the success of our business and we are committed to creating an inclusive work environment which respects, values, celebrates and makes the most of people’s individual differences - we are not only multinational but multicultural too. At Vodacom you will have access to our excellent flexible benefits programme that you would expect from any global company.

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