Job Description

Purpose of Job

The Manager: Databases and Windows OS is accountable for the end-to-end leadership, availability, security, resilience and continuous improvement of Vodacom DRC enterprise database platforms and Microsoft Windows server operating environments. The role ensures that critical technology platforms are stable, compliant, cost-effective and aligned with business, cyber security, resilience and cloud transformation priorities.

• Lead enterprise database services across Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB and other approved database platforms.
• Manage Windows Server operating systems, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Entra ID integration and related Microsoft infrastructure services.
• Ensure platform availability, performance, capacity, backup, recovery, disaster recovery and lifecycle management.
• Drive patching, hardening, vulnerability remediation, privileged access control and audit compliance for platforms in scope.
• Lead vendors, managed services, licensing, contracts, operational budgets and continuous service improvement initiatives.
• Support modernization, automation, cloud transformation and resilient infrastructure operating models.
• Own the availability, reliability and operational performance of all database and Windows server platforms supporting business-critical services.
• Ensure database administration, Windows OS administration, Active Directory and Microsoft infrastructure services are delivered in line with agreed SLAs, security standards and business priorities.
• Establish and maintain backup, restore, high availability, disaster recovery and business continuity controls for platforms in scope.
• Drive security hardening, patch compliance, vulnerability remediation, privileged access governance and audit readiness across database and Windows environments.
• Manage incidents, problems and root cause analysis to reduce repeat failures, improve MTTR and strengthen service resilience.
• Plan and govern capacity, performance, lifecycle, upgrades, licensing and technology refresh activities to reduce operational and compliance risks.
• Manage vendors, managed service partners, contracts and operational budgets to ensure value delivery, cost optimisation and measurable service outcomes.

Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

Qualifications, Experience and Attributes

Platform availability, security compliance, operational resilience, service quality and continuous improvement will be measured through the following performance indicators:

• Database and Windows OS platform availability maintained in line with agreed SLAs and business-critical service targets.
• Successful backup completion, restore validation and disaster recovery test execution for platforms in scope.
• Patch compliance, vulnerability remediation and security hardening delivered within agreed timelines.
• Incident resolution, problem management and root cause analysis completed within agreed service levels.
• Capacity, performance and lifecycle risks identified early and tracked through remediation plans.
• Audit, compliance and governance actions closed within committed timelines.
• Cost efficiency, vendor performance, licensing optimization and continuous improvement benefits delivered and reported.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in IT infrastructure, database administration, Windows server administration or technology operations, preferably in a telecom or large enterprise environment.
• Strong knowledge of Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server and enterprise database operations including performance, backup, recovery, high availability and disaster recovery.
• Strong knowledge of Windows Server, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, virtualization, cloud infrastructure and Microsoft enterprise services.
• Understanding of ITIL processes, cyber security controls, patch management, vulnerability management, access governance and audit compliance.
• Experience managing vendors, managed service providers, contracts, licensing and operational budgets.
• Relevant certifications such as Microsoft, Oracle, SQL Server, VMware, Azure, ITIL or cyber security certifications are an advantage.

Personal Attributes

• Entrepreneurial & Self Motivated - Highly motivated individual with an entrepreneurial attitude to be able to work hands on in a start up environment and is a team player
• Analytical Abilities - Demonstrates the ability to understand complex data, break it into parts, look at trends and Implications
• Planning & Execution for self and team - Understands deliverables needed, plans work for self and team, delegates and establishes milestones for delivery, reviews to enable timely completion. Is able to prioritize work to deliver on organizational needs
• People Leadership - Is focused on building teams through continuous feedback and enables learning.
• Learnability & Flexibility - Continuously seeks to understand the nuances of work/ scenarios, is willing