Head Of Data - Sandton

POSITION OVERVIEW

• The Data department is at the heart of the company's reclaim process, supporting the business through the analysis of complex financial and client data to identify withholding tax recovery opportunities. Working with data received from global custodians and financial institutions, the team validates, analyses and maintains critical datasets that underpin the successful delivery of the company's services.
• We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Head of Data to lead and develop this strategically important function. Reporting to the COO, the successful candidate will be responsible for driving operational excellence, strengthening data governance and quality standards, leading a high-performing team, and advancing the department's use of technology, automation and AI.
• This role offers an exciting opportunity for a proven leader who is passionate about building scalable processes, developing people, leveraging technology and delivering measurable business impact through data.

The ideal candidate will

• Have successfully led and developed a data, analytics or operational function in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrate strong leadership and people management experience, with a track record of building high performing teams.
• Have experience establishing scalable processes, governance frameworks and performance measures.
• Be skilled in driving operational improvements through automation, technology and data-led decision making.
• Possess strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the confidence to work across multiple business functions.
• Have a strong understanding of data quality, risk management and operational controls.
• Be highly analytical, commercially aware and comfortable working with complex datasets.
• Have advanced Excel skills, with experience in Power BI, AI tools, SQL, scripting or coding considered advantageous.
• Experience within financial services, professional services, tax, or a similarly data-intensive environment would be beneficial.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in a numerate, technical or business discipline e.g. Data Science, Information Systems, Finance, Accounting, Engineering.
• A relevant postgraduate qualification is advantageous.

EXPERIENCE

• 4+ years' experience in data operations, data analytics or a similar function, including 2+ years in a senior leadership role managing managers within a sizeable team.
• Proven track record of scaling an operational/data function -including process redesign, team structuring, technology adoption and automation.
• Experience designing or implementing quality control frameworks e.g. multi-stage review/sign-off processes within an operational team.
• Experience in financial services, professional services or another high-volume, deadline-driven environment is a strong advantage.
• A background in AI, technology build/product management, and/or Power BI or Excel scripting e.g. VBA, Power Query is a strong advantage.
• Experience managing distributed or offshore resourcing is advantageous, given the department's planned expansion into additional resourcing markets.

COMPETENCIES

• Advanced Excel skills are essential.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to develop and empower high-performing teams and future leaders.
• Demonstrated strategic vision, combined with the ability to drive operational improvements, enhance processes and implement scalable ways of working.
• Sound judgement on quality, risk and controls - able to distinguish root-cause fixes from downstream checks, and to build QC that actually catches errors.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across departments and senior leadership teams.
• High degree of independence and accountability - comfortable owning outcomes and reporting on metrics rather than being closely managed.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the discipline to prioritise initiatives including automation by measured impact rather than assumption.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, able to report clearly and concisely at COO/Exco level.