Innovation Education Manager

Role Purpose/Business Unit:

• Vodacom Innovation is a Vodacom Group function supporting all Vodacom OpCos. To drive the quality of innovative ideas presented, and subsequently developed within the Innovation Framework, a need has been identified to develop and implement a full Innovation training, coaching and mentoring programme that will enable all stakeholders, including staff, contractors, idea originators, innovation champions, and relevant business units to understand the need for innovation, and learn and apply the relevant models, methods, techniques, and tools to deliver innovation value to the organisation. This concept is known as the “Innovation Academy.”
• To develop and deliver the Innovation Education programme, the following functions will be implemented.

• Learner – develop the models, content, and delivery channels for an introductory set of training modules on Innovation, aimed at stakeholders who want to familiarise themselves with the relevant concepts.
• Practitioner – develop the models, content, and delivery channels for a practical, how-to, set of training modules on taking an innovative idea from ideation through to the end of the incubation process. This module is aimed at stakeholders who want to practically apply the innovation methods and models learned in the Learner level to an actual project, via a lecturing and coaching methodology.
• Expert – develop the models, content, and delivery channels for a practical, hands-on, set of training modules on taking an innovative idea from ideation through to the end of incubation and/or acceleration. A key requirement in the Group Innovation function is to support Vodacom Business Units with idea validation, development, and implementation skills in a practical and pragmatic way. The Education Manager will develop a pool of experts and lead them in providing these services to the relevant business units.

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

• Design the operating model for Innovation Education including Learner, Practitioner, and Expert to increase idea implementation.
• Implement and operationalise the operating model for Innovation Education.
• Develop Vision and strategy for the Innovation Education function.
• Design the operating model for the Innovation Education function.
• Implement and manage the operating model for Innovation Education.
• Develop best practices, processes, and innovative procedures to improve the quality of idea implementation across the business.
• Manage the trained pool of virtual Implementation experts.
• Provide written documentation (incl. reports).

The Ideal Candidate for This Role Will Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in commercial or engineering disciplines or equivalent degree is a requirement. MBA or another post-graduate qualification is advantageous.
• Relevant learning and development (training) experience (preferably Innovation training).
• Demonstrated innovation and entrepreneurial experience.
• Experience incubating new businesses and/or establishing new businesses or markets.
• Strong preference for candidates with entrepreneurial/intrapreneurial and consultancy industry experience.
• 5 years of Business Management hands-on experience.
• Ability to apply a disciplined experimental and design thinking approach to solving problems and modelling businesses using data and current technology tools.

Skills

• Training content development and delivery.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Critical and Creative Thinking.
• End-to-end problem and solution construction.
• Business Management.
• In-depth knowledge of business design, Ideation, Incubation, and Acceleration.
• Business Modelling – financial and commercial.
• Business Plan development and execution.
• Strong knowledge of design thinking methodologies.
• Networking.
• Ability to influence and get stakeholder buy-in.
• Time Management and Organisational skills.

We Make an Impact by Offering:

• Enticing incentive programs and competitive benefit packages.
• Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits.
• Cell phone and data benefits, advantages fibre connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts offered in collaboration with partner companies.

Closing date for Applications: 08 November 2024.

The base location for this role is Vodacom Midrand Campus.

The company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply. Vodacom is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.