Senior Solutions Architect at Vodacom

Vodacom Group Limited is an African mobile communications company, providing voice, messaging, data and converged services to over 55 million customers
Role Purpose

To interact with customers to gather technical requirements, architect customer networks and compile solution proposal documentation in the converged communication space as part of the Sales process.

Key Accountabilities

Perform role of interface between customer, commercial and technical entities by translating between business requirements and technical specifications.

Provide a solution focused consultancy service to clients e.g. blue chip companies, SMEs, local, provincial and national government. This will be in support of sales and presales colleagues, which will entail the analysing of complex customer requirements.

Provide high level assistance and support prior to solution implementation, during solution implementation and post solution implementation.

Build and maintain productive relationships with key clients, internal groups within the company, suppliers and partners.

Deliver presentations to customers on existing and emerging technologies as well as the benefits or impact of these on customers.

Identify opportunities within client environments for solutions or new product development.

Respond to business and wholesale customer queries as per request for information (RFI) and request for proposal (RFP) documents.

Conduct research on and keep abreast of ICT trends to identify new product opportunities. Utilise solution design experience and expertise to provide input into and create architecture for new product development.

Regularly meet with the internal parties; e.g. Products and Engineering teams; as well as external parties; e.g. suppliers and partners; in order to understand internal and external roadmaps, technology strategies and product strategies.

Review and assess all existing products and services or those being considered by Vodacom in terms of its applicability and impact on business customers.

Job Knowledge:

Knowledge of converged solutions design and development e.g. fixed mobile convergence, triple or quad play services and unified communications.

Cross Domain Technology Architecture knowledge coupled with implementation experience including a combination

Job Related Skills:
Business acumen and ICT awareness.

Outstanding presentation and communication skills.
Excellent Interpersonal skills.
Negotiation skills.
Technical writing skills.
Research skills

Qualifications
Matric/Grade 12 (Essential)
3 year Degree in IT or Engineering related field (essential).

Experience
5-10 Years relevant experience in IT or Engineering (essential).
Minimum 3 years ISP or Telco experience (preferred)
Experience in working within Enterprise arena ( preferred)
Experience in working with networking technologies and products (essential)
Industry certification e.g. Cisco (CCNA/CCDA and above), CISSP or similar (preferred).
In-depth knowledge of various technology architecture domains and convergence (preferred).