Head, Finance Data Management, Africa (2200005189) at Standard Chartered Bank Kenya

Background

The Data Management Function in Africa play a vital role in supporting the region with data management which include collecting, keeping, and using data securely, efficiently, and cost-effectively with a view to help the bank optimize the use of data within the bounds of policy and regulation so that they can make decisions and take actions that maximize the benefit to the organization.

The team also support the stakeholders to maximize the use of available data through automations, Tax assurance, reporting, data analytics and data quality monitoring. The teams focus areas are:

• To centralise, standardise and automate local regulatory and business reporting.
• To provide centralised capability for tax assurance data quality checks across the region.
• Support ad hoc data requests from auditors and regulators on request.
• Explore and integrate new technology and tools to provide business users with data in a more timely and usable fashion.
• BAU daily Data quality checks are performed on the local specific data lake (IDS) to ensure the reports are accurate and complete.
• Ongoing maintenance and support of upstream data changes into the data lake.
• All of this is achieved through a local specific data lake (IDS) through which this role is responsible for setting the strategic direction, managing the BAU maintenance activities, whilst working with business owners throughout the region.

This role must:

• Ensure optimal utilization of human resources towards the management of Finance systems in Africa.
• Direct Finance Systems initiatives, commission development work and manage budgets, define functional requirements to meet new or changing Businesses and Finance needs in Africa, review, challenge and approve changes to the standard operating model, systems build and Chart of Accounts standardization.
• Analyse, evaluate, design, test implement, support and maintain finance systems and train users.
• Drive creation of business efficiencies across Africa finance through process re-engineering and automation.
• Ensure accurate and reliable data that meets global standards for regulatory and management reporting
• Built robust controls around data management

Core Responsibilities include:

• Defining, implementing and evolving (as new data and processes are onboarded) the data platform operating model and governance processes.
• Day-to-day Management of the IDS infrastructure and System Management processes including batches, issue resolution, managing upgrades and system enhancements working in partnership with Production Support Technology and business stakeholders
• Ownership of the end-to-end control framework including system-to-system reconciliations, data quality frameworks in-line with stakeholder expectations
• Liaise with County CFO’s and other business stakeholders to:
• Manage the operational transition of global finance teams onto the new system infrastructure, ensuring operational risk is managed and continuity is maintained across the group reporting framework.
• Through the product ownership role, work with technology and change to create a versatile, agile, flexible and well controlled platform to cater ever changing upstream and downstream requirements.
• Prioritise requirements from across the business to maximise value and meet deadlines as appropriate.
• Own and manage operational processes around the platform including, reconciliation, batch monitoring, comms, data quality tracking and escalation.
• People management; coach, mentor and develop staff, including overseeing new employee onboarding and providing career development planning and opportunities.
• Deploy a co-ordinated communication strategy through all user engagements
• Participate as a member of GFS Senior Management in shaping the overall strategic direction of GFS.
• Member of GFS Operational Risk Forum.
• Member of Finance & Treasury Data Management ORF Forum
• Secure program and operating budgets, prepare project plans and ensure the delivery and monitoring thereof within the approved budgets and agreed timelines.
• Develop training curricular with the help of Africa CFOs and Heads of  GFS Africa to provide systems and technical training to staff working in Finance function in Africa.

Regulatory & Business Conduct

• Display exemplary conduct and live by the Group’s Values and Code of Conduct.
• Take personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct, across Standard Chartered Bank. This includes understanding and ensuring compliance with, in letter and spirit, all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and the Group Code of Conduct.
• Effectively and collaboratively identify, escalate, mitigate and resolve risk, conduct and compliance matters.

Key Stakeholders

• Business Function Heads/Change Leads
• Aspire Journey Leads
• Global Process Owners (GPO’s) – P2P /Tax// R2R / SCM etc.
• Aspire Technology Partners
• Country and Regional Finance CFO’s

Technical Competencies:

• Excellent Data Management and Data Governance knowledge.
• Technology experience in managing data platforms.
• Project Management
• Strong management skills and experience of agile methodologies.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and collaborative mindset
• Good understand of cross-border cost accounting best practise.
• Excellent Product Knowledge across all domains from Retail to Financial Markets.
• Able to define and implement robust control frameworks and understands operational risk frameworks.
• Broad understanding of numerous Finance areas including regulatory reporting and Treasury
• Business analysis mindset with an extensive track record in solving problems and troubleshooting issues.

Qualifications:

• University or College Degree in Accounting, Finance or related discipline
• Qualified Accountant
• DCAM Certified
• Agile Certification in a key role such as Scrum Master or Product Owner