Executive Head: Product Development & Innovation

About the role

The Executive Head of Product Development & Innovation will lead the end‑to‑end product and innovation agenda for Vodacom Business’s Beyond Connectivity portfolio. This senior position is responsible for building a future‑fit, market‑leading product suite that drives sustainable revenue growth and differentiates the business in a fast‑evolving telecom landscape.

Key responsibilities

• Define, own, and continuously evolve the product and innovation strategy aligned with growth objectives and long‑term market positioning.
• Maintain a balanced portfolio of core enhancements, adjacent growth opportunities, and transformational innovations.
• Develop and manage a multi‑year product and innovation roadmap across all customer segments.
• Identify, size, and prioritize new value pools and revenue streams using deep customer insight and market intelligence.
• Establish a standardized enterprise‑wide product and innovation lifecycle covering ideation, validation, development, commercialization, optimisation, and retirement.
• Embed customer‑led, insight‑driven innovation into every stage of product development while championing agile delivery, design thinking, and lean experimentation.
• Drive speed to market, execution excellence, and commercial discipline without compromising quality, security, or compliance.

Required profile

• Proven senior leadership experience in product development and innovation within a technology or telecom environment.
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering revenue‑generating product portfolios.
• Ability to influence cross‑functional teams and build ecosystem partnerships.
• Strategic mindset with a focus on market trends, customer needs, and future‑facing technologies.

Required skills