Kevin De Cerff

Broad and extensive expertise in Information Technology starting as a Telecommunications trainee in 1979 and working up the ranks to a Senior Manager in the Information Technology Division of Telkom SA. Successful in leading large cross-functional teams executing complex projects requiring high degree of collaboration and teamwork. Projects cover full delivery cycle with Waterfall and Agile methodologies, including Information Security Management Programme implementation, Identity Management (Access Governance) Programme, Microsoft Office 365 implementation, campaign management, Windows 10 deployment, Data Centre consolidation, and hardware infrastructure upgrades.

Three-year position as General Manager at a Cape Town manufacturing plant (R100m/annum turnover) with experience in financial management, marketing, operations management, HR management, turnaround and investments. Most recent assignment involved programme managing the Business Connexion (BCX) IT team for implementation of a new OSS/BSS solution for Telkom SA.

Trainee, Technical Officer, Programmer, Manager at Telkom SA (1979-01 – 1993-12)

Career started as trainee with Department of Posts and Telecommunications. Qualified as Telecommunication Electrician in 1982, promoted to Senior Telecommunication Electrician in 1985. Appointed as programmer in IT division in 1986 and promoted to Manager in 1988.

• Qualified as Telecommunication Electrician (1982)
• Promoted to Senior Telecommunication Electrician (1985)
• Appointed as programmer in Information Technology division (1986)
• Promoted to Manager of development team (1988)
• Managed software development and project management in IT Division

Information Technology Manager at Telkom SA (1994-01 – 2001-12)

Part of establishment of multinational (US, South African, Malaysian) IT program team to transform Telkom SA IT systems. Managed implementation of all IT systems and infrastructure related to transformation of systems supporting voice related products. Promoted to Senior Manager in 2002.

• Managed implementation of all IT systems and infrastructure
• Transformed systems supporting voice related products
• Part of multinational IT program team
• Promoted to Senior Manager in Telkom IT Division (2002)

Senior Information Technology Manager at Telkom SA (2002-01 – 2009-03)

Permanent Senior Management level position. Program lead of implementation of newly purchased IT system to transform existing field staff management system. Implementation required transformation of entire Telkom SA field force including IT literacy training, restructuring, retraining, and refitting of all vehicles, impacting approximately 10,000 field staff members and 2,000 office-based workers.

• Program lead for field staff management system transformation
• Impacted approximately 10,000 field staff members and 2,000 office-based workers
• Coordinated IT literacy training and restructuring
• Received Telkom SA CEO gold leading lights award for Service Excellence

General Manager at Expertool Manufacturing PTY LTD (2009-04 – 2011-07)

Executive level position managing finances, marketing, human resources, operations, and customer management. Developed and implemented turnaround plan with input from company's major bank and potential investors to ensure survival following 2008 global financial crisis.

• Managed finances, marketing, human resources, operations, and customer management
• Developed and implemented turnaround plan post-2008 financial crisis
• Company gained numerous productivity awards
• Secured major investment from Independent Development Corporation (IDC) for development and growth
• Managed due diligence end to end for IDC investment

Program Manager at Telkom SA / Business Connexion (BCX) (2011-08 – 2023-03)

Senior level contract position returned to Telkom in response to offer to play leading role in New Generation Network Transformation Program. Later transitioned to Business Connexion (BCX). Managed team of project managers responsible for key areas including Information Security Management Services Program implementation, new OSS/BSS solution implementation for Telkom group, and IT Project Management Office management.

• Managed team of project managers
• Led New Generation Network Transformation Program
• Implemented Information Security Management Services Program (ISMS)
• Implemented new OSS/BSS solution for Telkom group
• Managed IT Project Management Office (PMO) with focus on corporate division

Primary Education – York Road Primary School

High School Diploma in High School – Alexander Sinton Senior Secondary School

Electrician Certificate in Telecommunications – Telkom

Management Development Program in Management – Stellenbosch Business School

Diploma/National Certificate in Datametrics – University of South Africa

Senior Management Development Program in Senior Management – Gordon Institute of Business Science

Strategic Management Program in Strategic Management – TSA CFL