Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Custom
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

IMRAN SAFDAR

Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Summary

Telecom Project and Network Operations Specialist with over 15 years of hands-on experience in planning, deploying, and integrating large-scale network infrastructure, including 9 successful Hajj network rollouts in high-density regions. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams of engineers, ensuring efficient resource allocation, timely execution, and regulatory compliance. Adept at coordinating with internal stakeholders (core, transport, and operations teams) and external partners (e.g., STC, TAWAL, Ericsson, Huawei) to deliver seamless end-to-end network deployments. Known for resolving technical and operational challenges under pressure, driving continuous improvement, and presenting actionable insights through detailed reporting. Strong expertise in OSS/NMS systems, fault and performance management, and optimizing service assurance to achieve up to 99.9% uptime and 30% improvement in fault detection. Driven and strategic, with excellent communication and leadership skills, capable of navigating complex challenges to achieve organizational goals. Demonstrates proficiency in project management and stakeholder engagement, ensuring seamless collaboration and successful project execution. Committed to delivering impactful results and driving growth in network deployment and operations leadership role.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification

Work History

Digital Operations Control Executive 5G, LTE Mobile Network

STC
Riyadh, KSA
10.2014 - 12.2022
  • Company Overview: STC PROJECT Riyadh, KSA
  • Hajj Project Leadership: Successfully completed 9 Hajj projects, managing network operations during critical high-traffic periods, ensuring seamless connectivity and performance.
  • Manage and Monitor MDT/TCN: Oversee and track MDT/TCN, TMS, Trouble Tickets (TT), and KPIs to ensure project goals are met and issues are resolved in timely manner.
  • Network Monitoring & Maintenance: Conduct continuous network reviews, ensuring fault-free environment and up-to-date network documentation (design, database, etc.) for optimized performance.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Regularly engage with Project Management, Operations Management, and Technology Performance teams to resolve runtime issues and enhance network stability.
  • Team Guidance & Technical Support: Provide technical guidance to NOC team, acting as reference for network operations and troubleshooting, and ensuring efficient execution of tasks.
  • KPI Management & Quality Control: Ensure network KPIs are consistently met, delivering highest standards of operational quality and efficiency.
  • Reporting & Recommendations: Develop and present periodic operations reports, providing actionable recommendations to enhance network performance and operational processes.
  • Team Coordination & Leadership: Lead and manage NOC team, including shift coordination, ensuring high performance and effective collaboration across multiple departments (Performance, Optimization, Data Centre, Maintenance, and Engineering).
  • Change & Work Management: Oversee planned works and change management processes, ensuring smooth transitions and minimal service disruption.
  • Training & Development: Plan and execute on-job training programs to continuously improve team skills and operational expertise.
  • Motivational Leadership: Foster positive communication environment, motivating team and inspiring high levels of performance.
  • Customer Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong interpersonal relationships with customers and stakeholders, ensuring satisfaction and effective communication.
  • STC PROJECT Riyadh, KSA
  • Managed and optimized OSS processes across network operations, including fault, performance, and configuration management.
  • Led team of engineers to deploy new network management system (NMS) that improved fault detection by 30%, reducing downtime.
  • Spearheaded implementation of automated service assurance workflows, enhancing service delivery and improving customer satisfaction by 20%.
  • Analysed and reported on network performance metrics, identifying areas for optimization and ensuring 99.9% network uptime.
  • Implemented integrated OSS solution that combined fault management, performance monitoring, and service assurance, reducing operational costs by 15%.
  • Optimized network configuration processes using OSS tools, resulting in 10% improvement in resource utilization.
  • Worked closely with vendors to evaluate and deploy new OSS software and hardware solutions, improving scalability of network.
  • Automation of OSS processes (e.g., ticketing, fault detection, network monitoring).
  • Successfully led migration to advanced fault management system, reducing network downtime by 20%.
  • Directed implementation of automated workflows for performance monitoring and reporting, reducing manual efforts by 25% and improving response time to service incidents.
  • Executed global communication strategy, resulting in unified global brand messaging .
  • Streamlined company policies for improved staff productivity.
  • Led team for successful execution of annual corporate goals.
  • Influenced positive organizational change with effective leadership techniques.
  • Established key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and drive team performance, accountability and alignment.
  • Monitored operations to assess and highlight results.
  • Allocated resources to teams and projects based on need, performance and availability.
  • Recruited and managed senior staff with focus on delivering clear results.

Project Manager – Telecommunication (West Region)

Zain
Makkah/Jeddah, KSA
11.2008 - 10.2014
  • Company Overview: Zain PROJECT Makkah/Jeddah, KSA
  • Successfully led execution and deployment of telecom and electromechanical operations for multiple Hajj projects, overseeing all aspects of network deployment and execution for Zain in Makkah, Jeddah, and Taif regions.
  • Strategic Project Execution & Scheduling: Successfully executed four NSN Zain Hajj Projects from 2010-2013 and one Ericsson Zain Hajj project in 2014, ensuring timely completion and optimal network performance.
  • Coordinated with vendors for all aspects of project delivery, including scope management, scheduling, and quality control, ensuring successful project handover within allocated timelines.
  • Team Leadership & Coordination: Led cross-functional teams comprising engineers, technicians, and vendors, ensuring that all tasks were completed on time and within budget.
  • Fostered collaborative work environment to ensure seamless coordination between team members and vendors, resolving challenges quickly and effectively.
  • Reported regularly to Zain management, providing updates on project status, milestones, and deliverables for R4/R5 network implementation.
  • Network & Infrastructure Management: Managed implementation of Zain's R4/R5 access networks, ensuring efficient deployment of telecom infrastructure, with focus on performance, quality, and adherence to project goals.
  • Successfully carried out 150 link shifting/traffic shifting tasks, minimizing service interruptions and meeting strict deadlines without prolonging outage window.
  • Led LTE survey project for R4/R5, gathering critical data for network optimization and performance enhancement.
  • Directed Pre- and Post-optimization efforts for all Hajj networks, collaborating closely with Zain and NSN NPO Teams to ensure networks were fully optimized for capacity and performance during Hajj season.
  • Completed 3G migration to IP for 400 sites in western region, improving network reliability and efficiency.
  • Coordinated second carrier addition for 3G networks, optimizing coverage and capacity to handle peak traffic during Hajj.
  • Zain PROJECT Makkah/Jeddah, KSA
  • Regularly prepared reports on project progress, risks, and milestones, ensuring transparency and clear communication with stakeholders.
  • Prepared execution plans for teams, ensuring monthly targets were met and resources were efficiently allocated.
  • Maintained comprehensive project documentation for telecom and electromechanical scopes of work, ensuring that all activities adhered to project procedures and industry standards.
  • Negotiated with vendors to secure key components and services for Hajj projects, achieving cost savings and ensuring timely deliveries.
  • Conducted regular meetings with Zain management to discuss team assignments, budget distribution, and resource allocation to maximize site coverage and reduce mobility during Hajj period.
  • Managed Hajj site inspections and configurations, ensuring that all installations met quality standards and were completed on time to serve Mashaier area.
  • Tracked and managed inventory for over 200 BTS sites and 5 core sites, ensuring smooth movement of equipment and consumables from vendors to hub sites and recovery post-project completion.
  • Approved and followed up on consumable spares for Hajj project, ensuring proper distribution and availability of critical materials throughout project lifecycle.
  • Monitored project progress to proactively identify bottlenecks and ensure timely resolution of potential delays or issues.
  • Implemented mechanisms for issue tracking and resolution, ensuring that challenges were addressed promptly to avoid project disruptions.
  • Ensured that all activities adhered to SLAs by managing timelines, prioritizing urgent tasks, and minimizing service interruptions during maintenance activities.
  • Coordinated closely with Zain's customer service teams to ensure transparent communication and alignment with customer expectations.
  • Oversaw expansion of NSN Zain Hajj sites, ensuring all sites were successfully handed over to Managed Services (MS) team within provided timeline.
  • Compiled and documented results, presenting them to clients in required formats, ensuring clarity in reporting and demonstrating success of project.

Implementation Team lead (North Region)

NOKIA
Islamabad, Pakistan
03.2006 - 10.2008
  • Company Overview: TELENOR PROJECT - Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Led implementation of Nokia-based telecom systems, ensuring seamless execution and quality control for rollout of BTS sites across North Region.
  • Supervised and inspected overall rollout execution and progress for various contractors, including Myson Engineering System Pvt. Ltd, MobiServe Holding, Telecom Services Network, and Relacom Pakistan.
  • Led regular project review meetings with contractors, vendors, and stakeholders, ensuring alignment on project goals and timelines.
  • Developed and maintained detailed project plans to ensure quality, timely execution, and adherence to specifications.
  • Managed vendor equipment inspections, Bill of Quantities (BoQ) verification, and approval for timely project delivery.
  • Oversaw third-party equipment quality checks and approvals, ensuring all equipment met project specifications and standards.
  • Led Preliminary Acceptance Tests (PAT) and Final Acceptance Tests (FAT) in collaboration with vendors and clients, ensuring compliance with all requirements.
  • Monitored site quality and TI performance, ensuring compliance with project guidelines and safety protocols during installation.
  • Ensured that site documents were properly verified and approved, and all relevant information was uploaded to NOLS for project tracking.
  • Coordinated with sub-contractors, assigning tasks based on performance, technical skills, and execution plans, ensuring timely completion of project milestones.
  • TELENOR PROJECT - Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Worked closely with NEC and Huawei teams to resolve transmission issues and perform media clearance tasks.
  • Managed configuration upgrades, including handling equipment mobility, outage management, and sweep testing to ensure post-expansion KPIs were met.
  • Ensured proper handover of sites to Operations department, completing all necessary documentation, including configuration details, test results, and warranty information.
  • Monitored EDGE implementation for Nokia Ultra Site BTS, ensuring optimal traffic management and compatibility with Nokia's BTS Traffic Manager and EDAP (EDGE Dynamic Abis Pool).

Alarming System Integration Engineer (R&D)

ZTE
Islamabad, Pakistan
11.2005 - 03.2006
  • Company Overview: PTCL PROJECT - Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Installation, Commissioning and Troubleshooting of Alarming Supervision Unit in OMC.
  • Worked with R & D China to resolve delay issues of EAS in OMC.
  • Successfully provided 22 environmental and safety alarms to PTCL Pakistan as part of pilot project.
  • Project aimed to enhance operational safety and environmental monitoring at key sites.
  • Ensured alarms met specific needs of PTCL, offering solutions for potential hazards such as fire, theft, gas leakage, and flood and temperature fluctuations.
  • Collaborated with PTCL teams to monitor system integration, ensuring seamless installation and performance.
  • Played key role in pilot's success, demonstrating effectiveness of alarm systems in preventing environmental and safety issues.
  • PTCL PROJECT - Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Fault/Alarm management.

Education

Masters in Telecommunication - Telecommunication Engineering

G.C. University
Lahore, Pakistan
03.2003 - 03.2005

Skills

  • Project management
  • Project Planning
  • Change Management
  • Pricing Strategy & BOQ Analysis
  • Project Scope Definition
  • Supply chain management
  • Strategic thinking
  • Risk Management
  • Leadership
  • Client Consultation
  • Ethical Business and Client Care
  • Target Oriented

Certification

  • Project Management Professional (PMP) Certified, https://www.pmi.org/certifications/project-management-pmp
  • Ethical Business training LCPDQYV-W-2401, NOKIA
  • Information security LCPDRJN-W-2404, NOKIA
  • Data Protection and Privacy
  • Ethical Business training LCBBBMC-W-2006, NOKIA
  • Ethical Business training LCAACNI-W-21, NOKIA
  • Inclusion and diversity training HRBBDAS-W-21, NOKIA
  • Information security awareness LCAACNG-W-21, NOKIA
  • Staying safe and Well training HSBBBIJ-W-2008, NOKIA
  • CDMA BSS Training Feb 2006
  • CDMA BSSB (3G) Training Dec 2006

Languages

English
Arabic
Urdu

Custom

Transferable

Accomplishments

Certificate of Thanks and Appreciation for successful completion of Hajj 2008 project

Certificate of Appreciation for successful achievement of STC Project 2014

Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding performance and highly esteemed Contribution Hajj 2015


Timeline

Digital Operations Control Executive 5G, LTE Mobile Network

STC
10.2014 - 12.2022

Project Manager – Telecommunication (West Region)

Zain
11.2008 - 10.2014

Implementation Team lead (North Region)

NOKIA
03.2006 - 10.2008

Alarming System Integration Engineer (R&D)

ZTE
11.2005 - 03.2006

Masters in Telecommunication - Telecommunication Engineering

G.C. University
03.2003 - 03.2005

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IMRAN SAFDAR