Lead Specialist: Data Quality and Master Data Management

Absa is seeking a dedicated Lead Specialist to bolster their data capabilities, focusing on enhancing data quality and master data management. This pivotal role is instrumental in ensuring that the bank's data is accurate, complete, and reliable, thereby supporting informed business decisions, regulatory compliance, and effective reporting. The position offers an opportunity to contribute significantly to Absa's ongoing growth and its commitment to becoming a data-driven organisation.

About the Role

This specialist position is at the forefront of maintaining the integrity of Absa's data assets. The incumbent will be tasked with a range of responsibilities, from establishing robust data quality rules and monitoring their adherence to actively supporting the resolution of identified data issues. A significant aspect of the role involves driving improvements in master data management, particularly concerning customer data, to ensure it is consistently accurate and fit for purpose across various business functions. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying, analysing, and rectifying data quality failures, ensuring that the root causes are addressed to prevent recurrence.

The Lead Specialist will play a crucial role in defining, documenting, and maintaining data quality rules in close collaboration with data owners, data stewards, business units, and technology teams. Key responsibilities include:

• **Data Quality Monitoring and Reporting:** Continuously monitor data quality across critical data domains, with a specific emphasis on customer data. This involves identifying trends, analysing exceptions, and generating comprehensive reports for governance forums, risk committees, and senior management.
• **Issue Management and Remediation:** Proactively identify, log, track, and report data quality issues. Conduct thorough root cause analysis to uncover underlying process, system, control, or ownership gaps contributing to poor data quality, and support the implementation of effective remediation actions.
• **Master Data Management Support:** Contribute to the successful implementation and adoption of Customer Master Data Management (MDM). This includes supporting data validation, matching, survivorship processes, and ensuring business readiness for MDM solutions.
• **Critical Data Element Enhancement:** Support the definition and monitoring of Critical Data Elements (CDEs), including their associated thresholds, rules, controls, and ownership structures.
• **Stakeholder Engagement:** Collaborate effectively with business, technology, risk, and data teams to drive data quality improvements and MDM outcomes. Facilitate working sessions to investigate issues, assign accountability, and unblock remediation efforts.
• **Governance and Compliance:** Contribute to the implementation and adherence of data management standards, policies, and operating procedures. Ensure accurate evidence of data quality controls, issue remediation, and decision-making processes is maintained.

What They're Looking For

To excel in this role, candidates should possess a strong foundation in data management principles and practical experience in data quality and master data governance. A relevant diploma or degree in fields such as Data Management, Information Systems, Computer Science, or Business Analysis is required. While not essential, certifications in Data Quality, MDM, Data Governance, or related areas would be advantageous.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A minimum of 5-8 years of experience in Data Quality, Master Data Management, Data Governance, Business Analysis, or Data Analytics.
• Demonstrated experience in defining, implementing, and monitoring data quality rules, controls, and thresholds.
• Proven expertise in data quality issue management, root cause analysis, and tracking remediation efforts.
• Solid exposure to Customer MDM concepts and working with customer data, including an understanding of data matching and survivorship.
• Experience with data profiling, validation, and exception management techniques.
• The ability to document business rules and manage supporting evidence effectively.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the capacity to build trusted relationships and provide clear guidance.

This role is an excellent opportunity for a data professional looking to make a significant impact within a leading African financial institution. In South Africa, specialist roles in data quality and MDM are highly sought after, often commanding competitive salaries commensurate with experience and the complexity of the organisation. Common employers include major banks, telecommunication companies, insurance firms, and large retail groups, all of which rely heavily on accurate and well-governed data. Career progression typically involves moving into more senior data governance roles, data strategy positions, or leadership within data management functions.

Qualifications and Education

• Relevant diploma or degree .
• Certification in Data Quality, Master Data Management, Data Governance, DAMA, Information Management or Data Analytics would be advantageous.

Field of Study

Preferred fields include:

• Data Management or Data Governance
• Information Management
• Information Systems
• Computer Science
• Data Analytics
• Business Analysis
• Risk Management or Compliance
• Business Administration

Work Experience

• 5 - 8 years’ experience in Data Quality, Master Data Management, Data Governance, Business Analysis, Data Analytics, Reporting or Information Management.
• Experience defining and implementing data quality rules, controls, thresholds and monitoring routines.
• Experience with data quality issue management, root cause analysis and remediation tracking.
• Solid exposure to Customer MDM, customer data, golden source concepts, matching, deduplication or master data controls.
• Experience working with Critical Data Elements and business rules would be advantageous.
• Experience preparing data quality dashboards, governance reports, scorecards or management updates.
• Experience working in a regulated environment, preferably financial services or banking, would be advantageous.
• Experience using tools such as Ataccama, Informatica, Microsoft Purview, SQL, Power BI, Excel, SharePoint or similar platforms would be beneficial.

Competencies

• Strong understanding of Data Quality and Master Data Management principles.
• Good analytical and root cause analysis capability.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to interpret data quality results and translate findings into practical remediation actions.
• Good understanding of controls, governance, evidence and risk management.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on actions.
• Structured, disciplined and process-oriented approach.
• Comfortable working across business, technology, risk and governance teams.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint. Experience with Data Quality, MDM, SQL or reporting tools would be advantageous.

Education

Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies