Faiz Rasool
Lagos
Summary
Dynamic leader in telecommunications with over 22 years in project management and vendor relations. Successful in delivering large-scale deployment programs and enhancing network performance through strategic planning and execution. Recognized for inspiring teams to achieve operational excellence and meet organizational goals.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Head of Operations
CREI Capital Nigeria
05.2022 - Current
- Lead end-to-end Build-to-Suit (BTS) delivery for Rural Telephony (RT) Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) initiatives under a revenue-sharing model with MTN Nigeria.
- Oversaw pre-sales and post-sales activities for Rural Telephony projects across Nigeria, ensuring technical and commercial engagement aligned with customer needs.
- Direct and manage post-deployment maintenance operations to ensure optimal network availability, performance, and service quality.
- Identified and pursued new business development opportunities in telecommunications market, enhancing market presence.
- Established and managed key customer relationships, fostering long-term strategic partnerships.
Project Delivery Director Roll-out 3G/4G (JAZZ Project)
ZTE PAKISTAN
06.2016 - 05.2022
- Successfully delivered multiple large-scale telecommunications deployment programs across multi-technology networks within aggressive timelines.
- Achieved rollout targets through successful swap of 1,800+ Nokia sites, enhancing business retention and network performance.
- Led the first-ever deployment of Massive MIMO 32T32R solutions across 800 RAN sites on the Jazz network, enhancing network capacity and user experience.
- Managed end-to-end pre-sale and post-sale technical, commercial, and delivery activities, aligning with business objectives and customer expectations.
- Directed 5G trial initiatives across major cities in Punjab (Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur) and the South region (Quetta), enabling technology readiness and spectrum evaluation.
- Delivered MERGECO Program (Jazz-Warid), consolidating 4,500+ 2G/3G/4G sites via MOCN & MORAN architecture, commissioning 2,000+ U900 and 500+ L900 sites, and completing 1,500+ LTE rollout sites nationwide.
- Defined and controlled project scope, schedule, and cost baselines, delivering within contractual and budgetary constraints.
- Recruited, led, motivated, and developed high-performing project teams to achieve operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
- Ensured timely and successful project delivery while maintaining compliance with customer SLAs, performance KPIs, and rollout targets.
- Implemented delivery budget controls and cost-optimization measures, enhancing financial efficiency across project portfolios.
- Awards & Recognition: Best Management Delivery Award for the MERGECO Project: Awarded by Jazz CEO for outstanding execution.
- Best Project Director Award: Recognized globally among all ZTE subsidiaries for exceptional leadership and delivery excellence.
Program Manager Rollout/Swap/3G (Jazz Project)
ZTE PAKISTAN
12.2014 - 06.2016
- Successfully executed the nationwide 2G Swap and 2G/3G Network Rollout for Mobilink across 4,000+ sites, ensuring seamless technology transformation and service continuity.
- Established project plan baselines by defining scope, securing resources, developing schedules, and continuously monitoring project activities for alignment with delivery milestones.
- Led project execution by tracking progress, managing escalations, resolving conflicts, and driving corrective actions to maintain delivery timelines.
- Managed customer and stakeholder engagement to build confidence, strengthen relationships, and ensure transparent communication throughout the project lifecycle.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams, partners, and working groups engaged in implementation activities, ensuring synchronized delivery efforts.
- Defined and monitored project KPIs and performance indicators aligned with organizational targets to ensure accountability and drive results.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive project plans with documented dependencies, risks, milestones, and resource allocations.
- Implemented quality audits and compliance checks to ensure adherence to technical standards and successful network integration.
- Ensured transmission design and implementation met KPI benchmarks and customer performance expectations.
- Managed overall project costs, resource utilization, procurement dependencies, and budget efficiency to maintain financial compliance.
- Monitored operational risks and evaluated their financial and customer satisfaction impact, implementing mitigation strategies when required.
- Ensured completion of all project deliverables and facilitated variation control through clear documentation, approval, and communication processes.
- Obtained formal customer sign-offs on completed deliverables, ensuring documented acceptance and closure of project stages.
- Awards & Recognition: Best Management Delivery Award for Swap Project: Awarded by Jazz CEO in recognition of outstanding execution and delivery performance.
Project Manager Transmission (Telenor VEGA Project)
ZTE PAKISTAN
07.2012 - 12.2014
- Delivered the high-profile TP VEGA Program, completing the swap of 7,500+ BTS sites and installing 7,550 NEC iPasolink microwave hops within 13 months; setting an execution record in Telenor Group history, including timely project closure.
- Successfully executed the nationwide 3G Rollout for the Telenor Project across 3,200+ sites, achieving 100% PAC (Provisional Acceptance Certificate) compliance.
- Managed end-to-end rollout activities for 3G network deployments, ensuring quality, performance, and compliance with technical standards.
- Led implementation across all network elements within 2G, 3G, and IP network domains, Data center N+1, coordinating vendor and subcontractor execution.
- Directed full project management lifecycle activities, including initiation, planning, delivery, control, and closure on turnkey telecommunications programs.
- Oversaw project monitoring and control processes to ensure adherence to scope, schedule, cost, and quality baselines.
- Managed cross-functional delivery teams to achieve aggressive rollout targets through performance and capability development.
- Exercised stringent cost control and time management measures to optimize project spend and delivery efficiency.
- Directed infrastructure development activities for site build, integration, commissioning, and acceptance workflows.
- Delivered smooth project closures through PAC/FAC processes, ensuring contract compliance and customer satisfaction.
- Supervised overall rollout delivery for telecommunication infrastructure, ensuring alignment with customer KPIs and SLAs.
- Established project governance frameworks, deliverable acceptance criteria, and reporting mechanisms to support oversight.
- Implemented weekly and monthly network rollout plans, enabling transparent progress tracking and risk mitigation.
- Developed acceptance plans for network elements, enabling structured quality checks and ensuring documentation readiness.
- Awards & Recognition: Best Management Delivery Award for 3G Project: Awarded by the Telenor CTO for excellence in execution and delivery leadership.
Key Account Manager Technical
NEC Corporation PAKISTAN
02.2007 - 07.2012
- Achieved rapid deployment of 1,200 iPasolink hops within four months, and completed BCD project closure within aggressive timelines.
- Provided nationwide technical support for NEC products and promoted new product lines (Pasolink NEO, iPasolink).
- Supported technical sales engagements through presentations, demonstrations, and customer consultations.
- Supported pre-sales activities including BOQ development, solution scoping, and proposal inputs.
- Served as a certified iPasolink trainer, conducting technical trainings and live trials for customer network teams.
- Delivered O&M support, monitored project progress, and ensured alignment with customer KPIs and SLA targets.
- Managed resource allocation and subcontractor performance, ensuring seamless rollout and service delivery.
- Contributed to RFI/RFP/RFQ responses and assisted PMO with accurate BOQ/BOM preparation.
- Led project control, process governance, and technical delivery teams to ensure successful execution and closure.
Manager BSS Technical
Advance Starlink PAKISTAN
08.2006 - 02.2007
- Led project control, process governance, and technical delivery teams to achieve successful execution and closure of projects.
- Managed resource allocation and subcontractor performance across rollout and managed services streams to maximize project efficiency.
- Executed end-to-end project from initiation through closure, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
Manager BSS Technical
Mobiserve PAKISTAN
11.2003 - 08.2006
- Managed telecom and non-telecom infrastructure, including power systems, environmental controls, and site support equipment.
- Executed installation, integration, and diagnostics for power solutions (Emerson, Delta, and Eltek) to enhance site uptime and performance.
- Configured, maintained, and troubleshot rectifier systems (Eltek, Ascom, Lorain, Delta, Twin Pack Plus, Emerson ACTURA 48300) to meet site requirements and optimize alarm response.
- Performed preventive and corrective maintenance on GSM network elements (BSC, BTS, Microwave, and environmental alarms) to ensure continuous and reliable network operations.
- Maintained and troubleshot radio equipment platforms including Motorola Horizon Macro I/II and associated BTS systems to ensure reliable communication services.
- Supported microwave transmission systems (NEC Pasolink, Startex XP4, Alcatel, Spectrum, Ericsson, etc.) including installation, alignment, and fault resolution.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Artificial Intelligence
Nexford University
Washington, DC, USA01-2025
Master of Science (M.Sc.) - Telecommunication Engineering
Preston University
Islamabad, Pakistan01-2005
Bachelor of Science -
University of Punjab
Lahore, Pakistan03-2004
Intermediate of Science -
Government Degree College
Jauharabad, Pakistan11-1997
Matriculation -
Govt. Technical High School
Jauharabad, Pakistan03-1992
Skills
- Financial & Business Analysis
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Data Analysis & Reporting
- Telecom Network Operations
- Rural Telephony Solution
- ESCO green solutions
- Project Management Tools
- Vendor and Contract Management
- Proven leadership
- Cross-functional teams
- Decision-making
- Results-driven
- Time management
- Task management
- Proactive
- Analytical skills
- MS Office Suite
- Documentation expertise
- Effective communicator
- Verbal communication
- Collaborative skills
- Professional attitude
- Ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently
Local Technical Trainings
- Pakistan Institute of Management (PIM), Lahore, Punjab, Professional report writing, business correspondence, and presentation skills; Management development training
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Development, PMP seminar - Project Management (8 PDUs); PMP training programs - Project Management (40 PDUs each), 03/01/09, 06/01/10
- CORVIT Institute, Islamabad, Islamabad, CCNA Training Course (Networking fundamentals & infrastructure operations)
References
Professional personal references will be provided upon request.
Foreign Technical Trainings
- NEC Training Center, Cairo, Egypt, Hands-on training on NEC products for Installation & Commissioning (C-Node, XPIC, STM, Pasolink NEO / NEO-C)
- NEC Headquarters, Tokyo, Japan, Specialized training on NEC IP Microwave platforms including iPasolink 200, 400, 1000, E-Band, and All-Outdoor solutions
- ZTE University, Dameisha, China, Certified Project Management training focused on telecom delivery lifecycle and PM best practices
- Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE, Technical training on EMERSON ACTURA FLEX 48300 rectifier systems (installation, configuration & troubleshooting)
Personal Information
- Father's Name: Bashir Ahmed Shaiq (Late)
- Date of Birth: 08/23/76
- Marital Status: Married
Languages
English
Advanced (C1)
C1
Certification
PMP
Accomplishments
Global No.1 Project Director Award — 2021
Affiliations
Playing Cricket & Football
Timeline
Head of Operations
CREI Capital Nigeria
05.2022 - Current
Project Delivery Director Roll-out 3G/4G (JAZZ Project)
ZTE PAKISTAN
06.2016 - 05.2022
Program Manager Rollout/Swap/3G (Jazz Project)
ZTE PAKISTAN
12.2014 - 06.2016
Project Manager Transmission (Telenor VEGA Project)
ZTE PAKISTAN
07.2012 - 12.2014
Key Account Manager Technical
NEC Corporation PAKISTAN
02.2007 - 07.2012
Manager BSS Technical
Advance Starlink PAKISTAN
08.2006 - 02.2007
Manager BSS Technical
Mobiserve PAKISTAN
11.2003 - 08.2006
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Artificial Intelligence
Nexford University
Master of Science (M.Sc.) - Telecommunication Engineering
Preston University
Bachelor of Science -
University of Punjab
Intermediate of Science -
Government Degree College
Matriculation -
Govt. Technical High School