Specialist: Business Intelligence Team Lead Data Services - Data Insights & Intelligence (MI/BI)

Absa is seeking a seasoned professional to lead their Business Intelligence (BI) efforts within the Data Services team. This pivotal role focuses on transforming raw data into actionable insights that will guide strategic and operational decisions across the organisation. As a Specialist in Data Insights & Intelligence, you will be at the forefront of developing, managing, and optimising Management Information (MI) and BI solutions, ensuring the accuracy of reporting and leveraging advanced analytics to drive business performance.

The Heart of the Role: Data into Action

At its core, this position is about making data work for the business. You will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of MI and BI solutions, from design and development through to maintenance and optimisation. This involves crafting insightful reports, dashboards, and scorecards that provide a clear view of business performance. A crucial part of the job will be to translate complex business requirements into understandable and actionable reporting and analytical outputs.

The role also encompasses the critical processes of data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL), ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the data used for analysis. Monitoring data quality and implementing initiatives for continuous improvement will be ongoing responsibilities, ensuring that the insights generated are built on a solid foundation.

Driving Insights and Supporting Decisions

Beyond reporting, this Specialist will delve into large and complex datasets to uncover trends, patterns, and emerging opportunities. The aim is to produce actionable insights that directly support the organisation's strategic objectives and drive operational excellence. Delivering timely and accurate management reports, along with key performance metrics, is essential. Furthermore, you will be expected to conduct ad hoc analyses to provide immediate support for new business initiatives and critical decision-making processes.

A significant aspect of this role involves effective stakeholder engagement. You will collaborate closely with various cross-functional teams to understand their unique reporting and analytics needs. Presenting your findings and recommendations in a clear, concise, and compelling manner will be key to influencing stakeholders. You are expected to act as a trusted advisor, championing data-driven decision-making and performance management throughout the organisation.

Ensuring Quality and Embracing Innovation

Maintaining high standards of data governance, adhering to organisational policies, and complying with regulatory requirements are paramount. You will be responsible for establishing and upholding reporting standards and best practices, and will support audit and data validation activities as needed.

A forward-thinking approach is also highly valued. This includes driving innovation by exploring and adopting emerging analytics and reporting technologies. You will identify opportunities for process enhancements to boost reporting efficiency and effectiveness, and actively seek out ways to automate tasks and empower users with self-service reporting capabilities.

**For applicants in South Africa:** Roles like this, requiring significant experience in data analytics, business intelligence, and leadership, typically command competitive salaries. Employers often include major financial institutions, large retail groups, telecommunications companies, and consulting firms. Career progression can lead to senior management positions within data analytics or broader business strategy functions. A strong foundation in data science, statistics, or a related field, coupled with expertise in BI tools and data modelling, is highly sought after in the South African market.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Analytics, or a related field.
• Relevant certifications in Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, Power BI, SQL, or related technologies will be advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 7+ years of experience in Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, Management Information, or related disciplines.
• Proven experience in developing dashboards, reports, and data visualization solutions.
• Experience working with large datasets and translating data into business insights.
• Exposure to data warehousing and ETL processes.

Technical Skills

• Advanced SQL skills.
• Strong experience with Power BI, Tableau, Qlik, or similar BI tools.
• Knowledge of data modelling and database management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Power Platform.
• Experience with Python, R, Azure Data Services, or cloud analytics platforms is advantageous.

Competencies

• Analytical and critical thinking.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Stakeholder management and collaboration.
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Planning, organizing, and prioritization skills.
• Commercial and business acumen.

Key Deliverables

• Accurate and timely MI reporting.
• Actionable business insights and recommendations.
• High-quality dashboards and visualizations.
• Improved data quality and reporting efficiency.
• Enhanced decision-making through data-driven intelligence.

 

Education

Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: BMI - Business Management and Informatics

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised