Job Title: National Programme Manager: Fibre & FWA Network Build
Company: Ilitha Telecommunications (Pty) Ltd
Department: Network Rollout & Infrastructure Delivery
Employment Type: Permanent – Full-Time
Seniority/Grade: Senior Management – Paterson Band D5/E1
Location: Home-based – KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), with extensive national travel to all operating regions
Closing Date: 14 August 2026
Role Purpose Ilitha Telecommunications is a rapidly growing telecommunications infrastructure company delivering Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) connectivity solutions throughout South Africa. Our mission is to provide reliable, high-speed broadband infrastructure that connects communities, businesses and institutions, particularly in underserved and emerging markets.
As our national footprint continues to expand, we are seeking an experienced and results-driven National Programme Manager to lead the planning, execution and successful delivery of our national fibre and wireless network rollout programme.
The National Programme Manager is responsible for the end-to-end management of Ilitha Telecommunications’ national Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) deployment programme.
This executive-level position ensures that all network rollout projects are planned, resourced, executed and delivered safely, on schedule, within budget and to the highest quality standards. The successful candidate will coordinate multiple regional build teams, contractors, suppliers and internal stakeholders while maintaining effective governance, risk management and performance reporting across all operating regions.
This role requires extensive travel throughout South Africa and strong leadership in managing geographically dispersed teams and large-scale infrastructure deployment programmes. Role Requirement Programme Planning & Delivery
Develop, implement and manage the national fibre and FWA rollout programme.
Translate business strategy into executable rollout plans with measurable milestones.
Monitor programme performance against rollout targets, including homes passed, homes connected, wireless sites deployed and network commissioning.
Ensure projects are delivered within approved timelines and budgets.
National Build Oversight
Provide operational oversight of all regional fibre and wireless infrastructure builds.
Conduct regular site visits to monitor construction progress, workmanship and compliance with engineering standards. Ensure as-built documentation is complete, accurate and submitted on time.
Drive continuous improvement in construction quality and delivery efficiency.
Contractor & Stakeholder Management
Manage relationships with contractors, consultants, suppliers and service providers.
Monitor contractor performance against agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Coordinate with municipalities, utilities, regulatory authorities and community stakeholders to facilitate successful project delivery.
Resolve programme delivery issues and remove operational barriers.
Budget & Resource Management
Develop and manage national programme budgets.
Forecast labour, equipment and material requirements.
Monitor project expenditure and identify opportunities for cost optimisation without compromising quality.
Ensure effective utilisation of internal and external resources.
Governance, Risk & Compliance
Maintain programme governance across all rollout activities.
Manage programme risks and implement mitigation strategies.
Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation, environmental regulations and company policies.
Monitor quality assurance throughout all phases of project execution.
Executive Reporting
Prepare and present programme performance reports to the Chief Technology Officer and Executive Committee.
Report on rollout progress, financial performance, project risks, contractor performance and programme quality.
Provide strategic recommendations to improve delivery performance and support business growth. Required Skills and Competencies A senior management package graded at Paterson Band D (upper)/E (lower), benchmarked against the South African telecoms and fibre infrastructure sector.
Company vehicle or comprehensive travel/fuel allowance, reflecting extensive national travel requirements.
Performance-related incentive aligned to national build delivery KPIs, plus cellphone and data allowance. Work Environment Office Setting: The role typically involves working hybrid with more than 50% at head office.
Reporting Structure: Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Experience and Qualifications Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree Or National Diploma In
Telecommunications Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Construction Management
Project or Programme Management
Professional certification such as PMP, PRINCE2 or MSP will be advantageous.
Experience
Minimum of 8–10 years’ experience managing telecommunications infrastructure projects.
Demonstrated experience leading national or multi-regional fibre network rollout programmes.
Proven track record delivering large-scale FTTH and/or Fixed Wireless Access deployments.
Experience managing contractors, engineering teams and multidisciplinary project environments.
Strong financial and programme management experience.
Technical Knowledge
Thorough Understanding Of
Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH)
GPON network deployment
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)
Civil construction methodologies
Telecommunications infrastructure delivery
Experience Using Programme Management And Scheduling Software Such As
Microsoft Project
Primavera P6
Equivalent project planning tools
Strong understanding of project governance, risk management and quality assurance. COMPETENCIES
Knowledge, experience and skills required to perform the job competently The successful candidate should demonstrate:
Exceptional programme and project management capability
Strong leadership and people management skills
Excellent planning and organisational ability
Budgeting and financial management skills
High-level analytical and problem-solving ability
Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to make sound decisions under pressure
Strong attention to detail
Ability to manage multiple large-scale projects simultaneously
High ethical standards and professional integrity
Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
Ability to work independently while leading geographically dispersed teams
Interested and suitably qualified candidates are invited to submit your Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) Email your application to Kagiso@ilitha.com with the subject line: Application – National Programme Manager: Closing Date: 14 August 2026