NBN will cosy up to IT consultants, equipment vendors and retailers with channel expansion

NBN Co is working to align itself closer to the ICT channel with the creation of two new roles to work with IT consultants, equipment vendors and retail service providers.

The network builder is looking for an ICT channel engagement manager to educate the ICT industry, such as equipment vendors and ICT consultants. The new recruit will drive SMBs to switch services over to the NBN.

The successful applicant will work with indirect channel partners to develop the business strategy, along with supporting the delivery of NBN segment orders, product take-up and channel revenue.

Working with the corporate affairs, marketing and customer marketing teams, the successful candidate will also ensure that NBN's channel strategy aligns to and supports the organisation's retail service providers.

They will be responsible for identifying priority ICT channel partners, building relationships with them and seeking out new partners.

NBN Co is also hiring for an industry engagement manager to work alongside account managers to support data analysis and engagement with current and new retail partners about the NBN business segment.

As of 30 June 2016, there were about 1.1 million active users on the NBN. An investigation by iTnews found that the majority on the NBN market is dominated by three players, Telstra, Optus and TPG. Australia's third-largest telco, Vodafone, plans to launch its own NBN services later this year.

NBN Co said that there were "over 50" retail service providers taking direct wholesale services from NBN, not including sub-wholesalers service a band of small providers.

NBN Co is looking for a candidate with experience at a senior management level, preferably with a large telecommunications or ICT organisation.

"You are a strategic thinker who has the ability to independently develop partnership strategies, and can demonstrate a strong understanding of the business segment, ICT and telecommunications market," NBN said in the job listing.

"You are an expert in relationship and account management, able to influence outcomes and manage complex negotiations."

As a government-owned entity, NBN Co is one of the most highly scrutinised organisations in the country, with regular interjections and rulings from the competition watchdog Australian Competition & Consumer Commission.

Most recently, the regulator rejected NBN Co's proposal to bring new technologies such as fibre-to-the-node into its pricing and conditions framework.