Valérie is co-manager of a competition venue for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She tells us about her daily life and her missions as an Orange Team Leader.
Valérie, what role do you play in the Paris 2024 preparations and organization?
I became involved in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games around two and a half years ago, when I responded to an internal call for applications at Orange. I’m preparing for Paris 2024 by leading a team that looks after the supply and management of network and telecom solutions at one of the Olympic venues.
I’m responsible for supervising and coordinating network architects and technicians with a second Team Leader, ensuring efficient teamwork and smooth service delivery. I’m also overseeing the deployment of Orange’s nine service packs, which are essential to running each event. This involves leading the design of network solutions, ensuring that they meet the technical and operational requirements of each competition. My role also involves looking after maintenance and after-sales service, so we can anticipate and quickly resolve any incidents that might occur with the solutions deployed during the Paris 2024 Games.
How does your experience lend itself to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games?
My experience as Director of Services and Operations at Orange Business has enabled me to develop strong skills in managing cross-functional teams and implementing complex solutions for large customers. These assets are crucial for effectively coordinating the many stakeholders involved in organizing the Games and implementing large-scale projects.
My in-depth knowledge of Orange products and services is another key element in ensuring the proper functioning of the solutions deployed at the Olympic venues. My passion for this exceptional sporting event and my interpersonal skills honed by years of working with customers mean I can communicate effectively with the various stakeholders involved, such as Paris 2024, technical partners, and service providers.
What do you think your biggest challenges will be during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games?
The Paris 2024 Games are challenging on several levels. From a technical point of view, guaranteeing network reliability for high-quality image broadcast during the competitions is crucial.
In terms of stakeholders, we have to work effectively with a wide range of partners – Orange teams, Paris 2024, technical service providers, media – and this requires clear communication, rigorous project management, and the ability to adapt to different cultures and ways of operating. We need to show the utmost professionalism at all times when dealing with athletes, officials, journalists and the general public.
Representing Orange with dignity and upholding the company’s values by offering impeccable customer service and contributing to the success of Paris 2024 is a responsibility that motivates me to do my best.
After Paris 2024, what will you take away from this experience?
As an Orange Team Leader, I’m so lucky to be helping to organize this international event, and I know it will be an unforgettable experience.
Sharing sporting passion with athletes, officials, journalists, and spectators from all over the world will be a unique and enriching experience: playing a part in Paris 2024’s success, an event that brings billions of people together around common values, is a source of great pride.
This adventure will also help my career prospects as I have acquired many skills - project management, communication, leadership, change management – that will continue to be valuable assets for my professional future. I’ll continue to build on values such as team spirit, perseverance, and pursuit of excellence instilled during the Paris 2024 Games as I move forward in the future.
How has your job helped your personal development?
A year ago, everyone was criticizing Paris 2024, but I’ve always been passionate about the idea of taking part and today I’m even more enthusiastic. I know this extraordinary experience will have a positive impact on me.
I’m also sharing this adventure with my family as they can see my involvement and passion for this unique event. My family supports me and is proud of me. Even though my sons are not sports fans, they are attracted by the excitement of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. My passion spills over into my family and inspires them too.
Why Orange?
I joined the Group in 1997, during the telecoms boom. At that time, schools specializing in this field were rare, and France Telecom, now Orange, was a key player.
From the start, I was driven by the desire to contribute to the company’s core business rather than its support functions. I wanted to work for a company whose business was to connect people and make their daily lives easier.
Beyond the social dimension, Orange appealed through its dynamism and capacity for innovation. Since the start, the Group has continued to reinvent itself to meet new uses and customer expectations. My story with Orange is one of pride of belonging. I’m proud to be part of a company that has had such an impact on the history of telecoms in France and around the world, and that continues to innovate to shape the future.
I also enjoy the opportunity to work in a multicultural and international environment, enriching my professional and personal experience.
