Telecom Project Manager

Role & responsibilities

Objective:

Lead end-to-end planning, governance, and execution of large-scale Core Network migration and deployment programs for RJIL, ensuring seamless service transitions, successful maintenance window execution, risk mitigation, and adherence to customer timelines.

Key Responsibilities:

• Program Governance: Own overall project delivery, planning, execution tracking, and reporting for Core Network migration and deployment activities.
• Migration & Cutover Management: Coordinate large-scale network migrations, hardware refreshes, site commissioning/decommissioning, and service transitions across multiple regions.
• Maintenance Window (MW) Leadership: Lead planning and governance for scheduled night-time maintenance windows and critical cutover activities. Ensure readiness of resources, approvals, backout plans, and customer communication.
• Stakeholder Management: Act as the primary interface between Cisco, RJIL, engineering teams, operations teams, and delivery partners. Drive alignment across all stakeholders.
• Risk & Escalation Management: Identify project risks, service-impact concerns, resource constraints, and execution challenges. Drive mitigation plans and executive escalations as required.
• MOP Governance: Ensure all deployment and migration activities are supported by validated Method of Procedures (MOPs), implementation plans, rollback procedures, and change approvals.
• Resource & Vendor Coordination: Manage L2 and L3 engineering teams, partner resources, shift schedules, and deployment readiness to support project milestones.
• Project Reporting: Track project milestones, migration progress, issue logs, dependencies, action items, and provide executive-level status reporting.
• Service Assurance: Ensure deployments are executed with minimal customer impact while maintaining network stability and operational excellence.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive lessons learned reviews, RCA governance, process optimization, and deployment automation initiatives.

Required Skills:

• 812 years of experience managing large-scale Telecom or Service Provider network deployment and migration programs.
• Strong understanding of MPLS, BGP, OSPF/ISIS, Segment Routing, Core Network Architecture, and Service Provider Operations.
• Proven experience managing critical maintenance windows, network cutovers, and high-impact migration projects.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams comprising Network Operations, Engineering, Vendors, and Customer stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of Change Management, Risk Management, and Service Delivery Governance.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and executive reporting skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PMP / PRINCE2 / Agile Certification.
• Experience working with RJIL or large Telecom Service Providers.
• Understanding of Cisco IOS-XR environments and Core Network migration programs.

Core Expectations:

• Ensure successful execution of migration programs within agreed timelines and quality standards.
• Drive zero-touch customer impact during maintenance windows and cutovers.
• Maintain strong governance over MOP approvals, deployment readiness, and rollback planning.
• Provide leadership during critical deployment events and major service-impact incidents.
• Foster collaboration between planning teams, execution teams, operations teams, and customer stakeholders.