Head Solution Architect

The Opportunity

We are seeking an accomplished telecom and digital technology leader to act as the single point of architectural accountability for core technology platforms across all Operating Companies (OpCos), including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, DRC and other Airtel Africa markets. This role is focused on ownership, execution, governance, and standardization rather than consulting.

Role Purpose

Own and govern architecture strategy, technical blueprints, solution standards, architecture approvals, technology modernization initiatives, and platform harmonization across Airtel Africa. The successful candidate will drive scalable solutions that support long-term Pan-African telecom and digital growth objectives.

Key Areas of Accountability

• Architecture Standardization across OpCos.

• End-to-End Solution Ownership from blueprint to deployment.

• BSS/OSS modernization and transformation.

• Core Network and Digital Platform Architecture.

• Mobile Money and Financial Services Architecture.

• Sovereign Telco Cloud and Cloud Native Transformation.

• Architecture Governance and ARB Leadership.

• Strategic Vendor and Partner Governance.

Enterprise Platform Ownership

Provide architecture ownership and strategic direction for Customer Acquisition, Lead Management, CRM, Order Management, Product Catalogue, Service Fulfilment, Revenue Management, Online and Offline Charging, Rating, Billing, Customer Self-Service Platforms, API Ecosystems, Enterprise B2B Services, Mobile Money Platforms, Data Platforms, and Digital Channels.

• Architecture Governance & Review Board Leadership -Chair or serve as principal authority within the Architecture Review Board (ARB). Review and approve solution architectures, sequence diagrams, integration patterns, data models, security controls, infrastructure sizing, cloud designs, resiliency frameworks, and implementation roadmaps.
• Technology Transformation Responsibilities - Lead migration of traditional GSM and telecom platforms towards cloud-native, API-driven and microservices-based architectures. Establish future-state architectures supporting digital products, mobile financial services, open ecosystems, automation, observability, and hosted cloud capabilities.
• Vendor & Strategic Partner Management - Drive executive-level engagement with global technology partners and solution providers. Ensure alignment of strategic software platforms, enterprise solutions, and transformation programs that support large-scale operations across Airtel Africa.
• Leadership Expectations - Lead distributed architecture and engineering teams. Mentor enterprise architects, solution architects, and technical leaders. Provide guidance to CIOs, transformation leaders, and business stakeholders. Drive a culture of architectural excellence, accountability, innovation, and engineering discipline.

Skills & Experience

• 20+ years in Telecommunications, IT, Digital Platforms, or Enterprise Technology.

• Proven expertise in BSS, OSS, CRM, Billing, Charging, Revenue Management, Digital Platforms, and Cloud Technologies.

• Deep understanding of GSM, LTE, 5G, Core Network and Telecom Business Processes.

• Experience driving large-scale multi-country transformation programs. TMFORUM open API experience is preferrable here.

• Strong architecture governance and executive stakeholder management capabilities.

• Experience operating within complex regulatory and data sovereignty environments.

Executive Profile

A technology leader who has architected, governed, approved, and delivered mission-critical platforms at scale. Demonstrates ownership over architecture artifacts, engineering execution, rollout success, operational stability, and business outcomes. Capable of balancing local market requirements with a unified enterprise technology strategy.

Success Measures

• Platform standardization across OpCos.

• Reduction in technology complexity and duplication.

• Faster delivery of digital products and services.

• Improved platform resilience, scalability, and operational performance.

• Accelerated cloud and digital transformation adoption.

• Strong governance and architecture compliance.