Strategic Projects & Business Optimisation Lead

Build Strategy. Drive Change. Make it Real.

We're growing Capitec Connect — and we need a sharp, senior mind to help us execute.

This isn't a sit-back-and-report role. You’ll lead teams to deliver selective initiatives that span across one or more business areas, delivering the benefits into the operational environment and removing impediments which might prevent the predictable delivery of the initiative.

What you'll be doing

Execution

• Manage one or more initiatives across business and technology areas, ensuring work flows efficiently and delivery remains on track.
• Own the full project lifecycle, from discovery and initiation through to deployment and close-out.
• Drive delivery against agreed plans, scope, success criteria, outcomes and strategic business benefits.
• Coordinate integration points, dependencies and capacity across IT, business, operations, vendors and cross-functional teams.
• Pro-actively identify, manage and escalate risks, issues, scope changes, conflicts and critical path dependencies.
• Provide leadership to teams by motivating team members, supporting accountability and enabling delivery excellence.
• Facilitate planning, scoping and alignment workshops to support effective decision-making and execution.
• Apply governance to track, document and report on RAID items, metrics, progress, results and outcomes.
• Define and manage stakeholder communication plans, ensuring timely updates, expectation management and relevant delivery insights.
• Use analytical and creative problem-solving to support teamwork, resolve delivery challenges and maintain focus on outcomes.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Communicate complex technical programmes in business language to C-suite level
• Support in managing RFP processes, and hold suppliers accountable to SLAs
• Build buy-in for transformation, manage resistance, and sustain momentum over multi-year cycles
• Inspire distributed teams (internal, contractors, vendors)

What you bring

Experience (minimum)

• 8-10 years' experience proven experience of successfully delivering initiatives and programmes in a Telco or financial or retail environment
• Familiarity with telecom-specific technologies (NFV, SDN, OSS/BSS systems, spectrum management)
• Knowledge of banking regulatory environment, spectrum licensing, data protection, cybersecurity mandates, and industry-specific regulations
• Managing and being accountable for multiple initiatives
• Working in a fast-paced environment requiring high energy
• Experience of SDLC methodologies, Agile, Scrum
• Proven experience incorporating and utilising AI

Experience (ideal)

• 12+ years in financial services, Telco or consulting
• Understanding of legacy Telco & Banking systems, modern Telco networks, core network infrastructure, and cloud
• Relationships and knowledge of major telco vendors

What you know

You understand Telco and financial services products and services, have strong commercial business knowledge and know how to apply innovative thinking to a practical commercial environment. You're strong in Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Degree in Commerce or Business Management 

• Project Management/Programme Management certification (PMP, MSP, PMI-RMP, or similar
• Agile certification (CSM, SAFe, or similar)

Ideal:

• Honours Degree

What makes you stand out

You communicate complex programmes in plain business language to C-suite audiences. You unite cross-functional teams around shared goals and build genuine buy-in for change — not just on paper, but in practice. You use data to track progress, spot bottlenecks early and make smart course corrections. You don't just measure — you act on what you find.

Skills we look for

• Interpersonal and relationship management
• Management and problem-solving
• Research

Conditions of Employment