Head of Construction Full Time NEW

First Point Group has an exciting Executive-level opportunity for a Global Vice President of Engineering & Construction (Fibre, Civil Works & Data Centre) that has current/recent experience of telecom infrastructure construction projects across Africa.

This is NOT an ICT / IT-related position, the successful candidate must have Telecom Civil Works / Fibre / Mini Data Centre / Data Centre EDGE experience.

Due to continued business growth, our client (a global infrastructure engineering company) is reorganising their Senior Leadership Team, offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced Telecom Construction Leader with an established network/connections of Engineering, Procurement & Construction Suppliers across Africa.

Whilst visa sponsorship cannot be provided, this is a remote role with flexibility can be provided on your home-base location. This role will require around 50% of international travel (Africa, Middle East & Asia).

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Portfolio Leadership & Performance

• Provide executive oversight and strategic direction to bidding and project delivery teams across multiple operating companies in Africa.
• Drive achievement of portfolio operational, transformation, and business objectives, including:
• Bid success rates
• Revenue delivery targets
• Gross margin performance
• Project execution efficiency
• Quality metrics
• Client satisfaction
• Ensure consistent performance across all telecom, fiber optic, and data centre programmes.

Bid & Project Delivery Governance

• Strengthen end-to-end Engineering & Construction lifecycle performance through effective coordination between bid and execution teams.
• Ensure seamless project handovers and alignment between commercial and operational functions.
• Review and validate major bids, programme strategies, change requests, risk mitigation plans, and escalation items.
• Ensure decision-making supports overall portfolio objectives and business priorities.

Business Growth & Capability Expansion

• Lead the expansion of Engineering & Construction capabilities into fiber optic and data centre sectors.
• Identify growth opportunities and develop strategic readiness plans to support market expansion.
• Establish scalable delivery models and operational frameworks across operating companies.
• Support business development initiatives and strategic client engagement activities.

Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

• Strengthen portfolio governance through process standardisation and best-practice implementation.
• Ensure compliance with corporate, contractual, quality, and operational requirements.
• Improve forecasting accuracy, reporting standards, portfolio visibility, and performance transparency.
• Monitor financial performance, project schedules, quality outcomes, risk exposure, and cost optimisation initiatives.
• Drive corrective actions through collaboration with regional leadership teams, country heads, and group functions.

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Act as the senior escalation point for strategic project, operational, and client-related matters.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, regional executives, operating company leadership, and internal stakeholders.
• Support commercial growth through executive-level client engagement and portfolio leadership.

Leadership & Team Development

• Mentor and develop Engineering & Construction teams across multiple regions and operating companies.
• Promote capability development, succession planning, and knowledge sharing.
• Ensure teams are equipped to deliver large-scale telecommunications, fiber optic, and data centre infrastructure programmes.
• Provide strategic recommendations and lessons learned to senior leadership and governance committees.

Required Experience

• Minimum 15 years’ experience within telecommunications infrastructure project delivery.
• Strong experience managing large-scale telecom rollout programmes.
• Demonstrated experience delivering fiber optic network projects.
• Proven exposure to data centre construction and infrastructure programmes.
• Experience overseeing multi-country or multi-business-unit project portfolios.
• Strong understanding of Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) environments.
• Experience leading both bid management and project execution functions.
• Track record of managing financial performance, governance, risk, and operational excellence initiatives.

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Professional Project Management certification preferred.
• Relevant Master’s degree (MSc) desirable.