Project Manager at West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC)

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Project Management & Execution

• Lead and manage WIOCC’s network infrastructure projects to ensure timely and successful completion.
• Oversee client orders from pre-sales solution design to final handover, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction.
• Develop and maintain project charters, project plans, risk registers, budgets, and lessons learned documentation.
• Monitor project delivery milestones to ensure alignment with client target timelines.

Stakeholder & Client Engagement

• Collaborate closely with account managers to understand client requirements and ensure project alignment.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, providing regular and accurate project updates and reports.
• Manage relationships with internal teams, stakeholders, and WIOCC clients effectively.
• Ensure seamless handovers to internal teams, aligning with client specifications.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Lead virtual project teams consisting of Engineering, Operations, Legal, Procurement, Logistics, and Finance.
• Engage and manage third-party suppliers to ensure compliance with client specifications, service level agreements (SLAs), and quality standards.
• Address and mitigate project concerns, contractual challenges, and risks, escalating issues where necessary.

Process & Performance Improvement

• Actively participate in and promote the project gate review process.
• Oversee vendor and logistics management, ensuring timely delivery of materials and services.
• Ensure data accuracy within NetSuite and other project management tools.
• Serve as a deputy for the Programme Manager as required and contribute to ad-hoc reporting.
• Actively participate in process improvement and automation initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent; a master’s degree is an added advantage) in a technical field or equivalent relevant experience.
• PMP, PRINCE2, or AGILE certification is a must have.
• Proficient in Microsoft Project.
• Proficiency in English for understanding, speaking, and writing communications.

Experience & Skills

• A minimum of 7 years of technical experience in the telecom industry, with at least 4 years in a project management role.
• Strong background in fiber network project management.
• Effective project management skills, including experience in written and verbal communication, as evidenced by work history and accomplishments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to summarize and present key information to stakeholders concisely.
• Proficiency in using BOSS tools and experience with the Microsoft Office suite, including MS Project.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and solve problems in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with WIOCC network technologies, including Subsea, OTN, DWDM, SDH, and Data (Ethernet, IP/MPLS, OSPF, BGP), is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including active listening, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence teams in a matrix environment.

Attributes

• Strong team leader and manager of virtual teams; motivated, persistent, and able to manage stress.
• Client-focused with confidence and relationship-building skills.
• Integrity and honesty with high ethical standards and strong negotiation skills.
• Passionate, adaptable, and flexible.
• Committed to personal excellence, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Collaborative and results-driven through teamwork and partnerships.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collate and interpret data from various sources.
• Excellent communicator in both English, with a natural aptitude for dealing with people.
• Creative thinker with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Commercially aware, numerate, and articulate.
• Exceptional network diagnostic skills.