Head of Data

Let's Write Africa's Story Together!

Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this.

Job Description

Role overview

The Head of Data will be responsible for leading the data transition and the creation of the Data Office at OMIG. This role will involve developing and implementing a comprehensive data strategy, overseeing data governance, and driving data-driven decision-making across the organization. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in data management, analytics, and team leadership.

Key result areas

• Develop and Implement Data Strategy: Create and execute a data strategy that aligns with OMIG's business objectives and supports data-driven decision-making.
• Establish Data Office: Lead the creation of a centralized Data Office, including the development of data governance frameworks and processes.
• Data Governance: Ensure data integrity, quality, and compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Team Leadership: Build and manage a high-performing data team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams to identify and prioritize data initiatives that drive business value.
• Advanced Analytics: Implement advanced analytics and machine learning models to generate insights and optimize business processes.
• Data Infrastructure: Oversee the development and maintenance of data infrastructure, ensuring scalability and efficiency.

Requirements: skills, qualifications and experience required

• Advanced degree in Data Science, Computer Science, or a related field. 
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in data management, analytics, and strategy, with a proven track record of leading data transformation initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of data governance and data management best practices.
• Proficiency in advanced analytics and machine learning techniques.
• Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) or equivalent is preferred.
• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) or equivalent is a plus.

Competencies

• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Manage a team of business analysts, statisticians, data scientists, and data modelers in using data to provide insights into business performance and suggest areas for and methods of improving operations. Translate the work of the Analytics function into findings for application by the broader business, including for use in strategic decision making and planning. Implement analytical approaches and methodologies and assist in the interpretation of results. OML Roles mapped to this profile are: Senior Manager Analytics and Regional Head: Digital & Data.

Responsibilities

Data and Analytics Strategy

Lead the implementation of data and analytics strategy by developing a data insights integration approach and process aligned to key business processes and decisions. Conceptualise, design and implement strategic plans through the effective management of projects and or team/s through Data Analytics.

Enterprise Business Analysis

Proactively interpret the business need and identify solution recommendations to business problems at a business unit level. Lead the improvement efforts to be made that are within span of control at this level, in line with industry best practice.

Data Exploration and Manipulation

Lead the performance and integration of highly sophisticated analytics to promote understanding of different business areas or critical business challenges/opportunities.

Insights and Reporting

Set and lead execution of the data and analytics reporting plan, creating strategies and templates to report data in a meaningful way. Create, present, and communicate high-impact data and analytics insights and recommendations to critical internal and external stakeholders.

Leadership and Direction

Identify and communicate the actions needed to implement the function's strategy and business plan within the business area or department; explain the relationship to the broader organization's mission, vision, and values; motivate people to commit to these tenets and do extraordinary things to achieve local business goals.

Performance Management

Manage managers and report on performance within the department or area of responsibility; set appropriate performance objectives for direct reports and hold them accountable for achieving these; take appropriate corrective action where necessary to ensure the achievement of annual business objectives.

Business Requirements Identification

Elicit the most complex business requirements using a variety of methods such as interviews, document analysis, workshops, and workflow analysis to express the requirements in terms of target user roles and goals, in order to garner the "why" of the requirements and the benefits of such requirements.

Performance Improvement through Business Intelligence

Make authoritative recommendations about technical or professional solutions that would significantly improve business performance and seek incremental improvement in an agile manner.

Budgeting

Deliver budget plans with guidance from senior colleagues.

Organizational Capability Building

Evaluate the capabilities of staff within the department to identify gaps and prioritize development activities. Implement the organization's formal development frameworks within the area of responsibility. Coach and mentor others to support the development of the organization's talent pool.

Information and Business Advice

Provide authoritative specialist and thought leadership advice to senior managers at the business unit or regional level to enable the implementation of policy, projects, and change initiatives.

Internal Client Relationship Management

Manage relationships with strategic internal clients and act as a business partner to them, building high levels of professional credibility and mutual trust, and mobilizing appropriate internal and/or external resources to support in delivering business strategy and plans.

Data Management

Take responsibility for developing and delivering a key element of the organization's data management system.

Data Commercialisation

Take responsibility for ensuring data and informatin provided to business is of commercial value.

Skills

Action Planning, Adaptive Thinking, Agile Project Management, Business Requirements Analysis, Commercial Acumen, Computer Literacy, Data Compilation, Data Controls, Executing Plans, IT Network Security, Management Reporting, Negotiation, Policies & Procedures, Project Risk Management, Readiness Assessments, Report Review, Workflow Management

Competencies

Builds Effective Teams

Business Insight

Communicates Effectively

Cultivates Innovation

Decision Quality

Develops Talent

Drives Engagement

Drives Results

Education

NQF Level 7 - Degree, Advance Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate or equivalent

Closing Date

17 March 2025 , 23:59

The appointment will be made from the designated group in line with the Employment Equity Plan of Old Mutual South Africa and the specific business unit in question.

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