Data Management Specialist at Absa Bank Limited

Job Summary

The Data Management Specialist works as part of the central data management team and partners with business units to execute metadata management and data quality initiatives. This role combines expertise in metadata, data quality and governance with strong business engagement skills to enable consistent practices across the enterprise, support compliance, and drive adoption of data management tools.

Job Description

Metadata Management

• Capture, maintain and govern metadata for critical data elements across the enterprise.
• Support the creation and maintenance of business glossaries, data dictionaries, and data lineage documentation.
• Ensure metadata is consistent, accurate and accessible to data users and stakeholders.

 Data Quality

• Define, monitor, and enforce data quality rules and standards.
• Collaborate with data stewards and business users to resolve data quality issues.
• Implement processes and tools for continuous data quality measurement and improvement.

Data Governance Support

• Act as a key contributor to the data governance framework, policies and procedures.
• Facilitate workshops and engagements with business and technical teams to define ownership, accountability and stewardship for data.
• Support compliance with internal standards and external regulations (e.g., BCBS 239, POPIA, GDPR).

Business Analysis & Stakeholder Engagement

• Gather and translate business requirements into metadata and data quality specifications.
• Act as the bridge between business units, data management teams and IT to ensure alignment of data initiatives.
• Provide insights and recommendations to improve data management practices and data-driven decision-making.

Central Team & Business Support

• Serve as a liaison between the central data management team and business units to ensure consistent execution of metadata and data quality practices.
• Provide hands-on support and guidance to business teams in implementing metadata standards and resolving data quality issues.

Tool Adoption & Enablement

• Promote and drive adoption of enterprise data management tools (e.g. Ataccama) across business and technical teams.
• Deliver training, communication and enablement activities to increase awareness and effective use of data management platforms.

Tools & Technology

• Work with metadata management tools (e.g., Collibra, Informatica EDC, Ataccama) and data quality platforms.
• Leverage analytics and reporting tools to monitor data quality and metadata adoption.

 Education and Experience Required

• Minimum 3 - 5 years’ experience in enterprise data management, governance or related fields.
• BSc in Information Technology, Risk Management, or equivalent diploma advantageous.
• Proven experience in implementing metadata capabilities (business glossaries, metadata repositories, data lineage solutions).
• Experience with data quality tools and frameworks.
• Exposure to data visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, QlikView) advantageous.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements related to data (e.g., BCBS 239, GDPR).

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of metadata management, data quality and data governance frameworks.
• Ability to analyse, document, and communicate complex data concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with data management tools (specifically Metadata and DQ).
• Strong problem-solving, organizational and collaboration skills.
• Knowledge of business processes and data flows to contextualise metadata and quality requirements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Familiarity with data architecture and modeling principles advantageous.

Education

Bachelor's Degree: Information Technology