Senior Director – Network Design and Rollout
Qatar Telecom (Qtel)
Qatar
Ref: GP880-223 		Qatar Telecom (Qtel)

The Role


The Role

This role is responsible for planning and managing the design and rollout of all networks within Qtel to achieve business goals and corporate strategy. This includes Core, Radio, Access and Transport networks design, rollout, optimization and maintenance of access networks. This role also coordinates all network rollout projects across core, radio, access and transport networks to ensure effective end-to-end integration and handover across all interfaces during the project.
Context/ Background:
Network Design and Rollout plays a very crucial role in the design and roll out of all network elements including core, access, transport and radio networks.Overview

* Manage the design and rollout of core, radio, transport and access networks (both Fixed and Wireless), and oversee maintenance of access networks:

* Core Networks design and rollout (Voice core, Packet core, ISP)
* Access networks design, rollout and maintenance (Fiber optic network, underground and overhead copper cable network)
* Transport nodes design and rollout (PDH, SDH, DWDM, IP/MPLS active transport nodes)
* Fixed access nodes design and rollout (RLU locations, MSAN, DSLAM, NGDLC, OLT, ONU, MDU, MDF, MPLS racks, ODF)
* Radio Networks ((2G and 3G) Radio Network, TETRA, Microwave, DVB-H and WiMAX)

* Core, access, transport and radio networks optimization
* Conduct short-term (12 months) network capacity forecasting
* Manage detailed planning and design of all networks including

* Capacity planning for all networks
* Coverage planning for 2G/3G, TETRA, WiMAX networks
* Access, transport network route planning

* Manage rollout of all networks, including

* Site acquisition and build
* Civil works coordination
* Installation, expansion and integration
* Rollout project management and vendor management
* Acceptance and handover to Operations and Maintenance

* Ensure proper acceptance and handover of rolled-out network to Operations and Maintenance teams through a formal handover process
* Involve O&M teams to provide inputs from the operational perspective for RFP preparation and RFP evaluation/ vendor selection
* Manage radio networks optimization and performance eg. Load sharing, drive tests, parameter optimization.
* Program management and coordination of related Network rollout projects across core, radio, access and transport networks to ensure effective end-to-end integration and handover across all interfaces during the projects
* Manage the timely integration of core networks and retirement of legacy networks according to the network roadmap
* Ensure that all Network assets are capitalised as per finance rules and regulations and on time
* Set strategic goals for core, access & transport and radio network departments in line with corporate strategy.
* Own all network roll out projects by providing technical expertise and coordinate for end to end integration.
* Apply professional project management tools and techniques for effective management of Network rollout projects within time and budget.
* Ensure that the physical network inventory is maintained accurately
* Ensure that network resilience policies and guidelines defined by Performance and Compliance division are adhered to during the networks rollout.
* Study network expansion / technology upgrade issues and make appropriate recommendations to increase efficiency of networks infrastructure.
* Manage optimization of CAPEX spending in network rollout, within the approved budget for each network rollout project, with focus on customer uptake.
* Ensure timely monitoring and management of KPIs in order to meet defined targets and manage timely reporting of KPIs to ‘Performance Management and Compliance' department.
* Contribute to the annual Technology BU strategic plan and initiatives.
* Analyze current processes and propose enhancements for further improvement.
* Communicate to higher management ongoing operations status (periodic reports) and escalate any potential major or service affecting issues as appropriate.
* Support National special events and optimization requests with regard to coverage and capacity.
* Continuously monitor the technology landscape and keep track of market trends and developments.
* Formulate annual operational plans and budgets for the division so that there are clear priorities and appropriate resources are allocated to their achievement.

Business Impact
Role has significant impact on the operations and performance of the BU and thus on revenue generation potential of Qtel.

Costs & Profitability

* Manage department productivity and quality goals.
* Optimize resources and identify cost savings.
* Ensure that networks are planned and rolled out in areas where demand exists for capacity and coverage in order to increase the customer usage and satisfaction given the high impact on Qtel's profitability in terms of CAPEX
* Ensure new network elements and services are put in service on time to achieve expected revenue.
* Reduce outages and enhancing the time to repair a faulty to restore the services and minimise revenue lost.

Problem Solving

* Work closely with team and vendors in solving complicated network/service design and rollout issues
* Ensure all issues are reported properly
* Implement a problem resolution strategy and plan resource allocation aiming to minimize problem resolution time
* Ensure all issues are solved within permitted timeframe.

Planning & Organizing

* Organize time and resources budget effectively.
* Implement and maintain operational procedures and processes, continually evaluating the same to ensure maximum efficiency and adherence to the organization policy.
* Implement measures to ensure staff operate safely and in compliance with organizational procedures, health and safety legislation and guidelines.
* Annual preventive maintenance plan along with the required manpower resources.

Prepare and test BC/DR plans in line with guidelines issued by Performance and Compliance.
KEY RELATIONSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
Team working, Coaching/Development & Leadership (Coaching & Leadership applicable to people managers)

* Lead staff to ensure they are motivated, focused, achieve their targets and provide a professional service
* Support, supervise, develop and appraise performance.
* Ensure cross-team collaboration to ensure effective and efficient performance of the department and the business unit.

Communicating, negotiating & influencing

* Establish and manage multiple cross-functional relationships, coordination and communication lines with all units in the business unit.
* Develop good communication and negotiations skills for use within Qtel and externally with vendors and suppliers.
* Provide leadership, direction, planning and unity of purpose to staff in the division
* Communicate the organizational decisions and policies, the BU strategy and upcoming activities with the staff regularly
* Provide motivation and commitment through visible and effective leadership.

Decision Making
Full authority over all activities carried out within the department

* Full cost centre authority
* Input into major decisions on a day-to-day basis, makes routine decision around control issues that impact on division performance, or more broadly
* Resource allocation decisions within the department.
* Operational decisions to improve methods and procedures

Technical authority to accept network configuration/design changes.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

* Management of division activities within allocated budget
* % of SLA compliance
* Number of faults and overall downtime
* Network Opex per subscriber
* Network Capex per subscriber
* % Network congestion/ utilization
* % Network availability
* GIS data accuracy
* Compliance of networks to resilience guidelines issued by Performance and Compliance
* Internal customer (BUs) satisfaction, SLA performance
* Number of faults per subscriber

Timely reporting of KPIs to Performance and Compliance

Requirements


Requirements

Minimum Experience & Essential Knowledge

* 15 years experience in telecoms engineering with significant skills in telecom networks design and rollout project management
* Strong experience in both fixed and wireless networks
* Budget management/ CAPEX optimization experience
* Vendor management experience
* Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation and leadership skills

Innovative and creative thinker.
 
SKILLS Technical (job related) & Non-technical:

* Qtel business objectives and BU requirements
* Long-term technology planning ability
* Network design and rollout project management
* Budget management and CAPEX/OPEX optimization

Innovative mindset.Minimum Entry Qualifications

* Bachelors Degree in Telecommunications engineering, or equivalent.
* Masters Degree in Telecommunications engineering or equivalent would be an advantage.

About the Company


About the Company

Qatar Telecom (Qtel) is the exclusive telecommunications provider in Qatar. Its principal activities include local and international fixed telephone, mobile, Internet, data and cable television services.

Qtel is committed to growing its presence in the Middle East and internationally. In 2004, Qtel led a consortium and won the public tender for the second mobile license in Oman, and launched its Nawras subsidiary services in March 2005, capturing more than 500,000 new customers (over 31% of the Omani mobile market) in just over 20 months of operations. In November 2006 signed an agreement to acquire a strategic stake in NavLink, a leading provider of managed data services to businesses in the Middle East, with AT&T Inc. In January 2007, Qtel further extended its international presence through the acquisition of an approximate 25% equity stake in ST Telemedia’s Asia Mobile Holdings Pte. Ltd. (“AMH”).

In March 2007 Qtel had sealed what was rightly described as the 'biggest ever telecommunications deal in the Arab world' when it acquired 51% of the share capital of Kuwait based National Mobile Telecommunications Company KSC - (Wataniya) from Kuwait Projects Company for a total cash consideration of $3.8 billion, in a deal that is expected to give Qtel an increasingly important and prominent role in the MENA region.

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