Lead Data Analyst / Project Manager

Essential Forces; Makkah Region; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services company in Saudi Arabia is seeking a Lead Data Analyst who will also function as a Project Manager. The role demands extensive experience overseeing data initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and delivering quality insights through data analysis. Candidates should possess strong SQL and Python skills, along with substantial project management experience. Leadership capabilities and proven experience in financial services are essential. Competitive compensation and career growth opportunities are also provided.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience as a Data Analyst, Data Lead, or similar technical role.
• 3+ years of Project Management experience (Agile preferred).
• Proven experience leading teams both onsite and offshore.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex data analysis, data modeling, and data validation efforts.
• Act as the primary PM for assigned data initiatives.
• Lead and mentor a blended team of onsite and offshore analysts/engineers.
• Work with business units to gather requirements and define solutions.

Skills

Data analysis

Project Management

SQL

Python

Power BI

Tableau

Data modeling

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

SQL

Python

Job description

Job Description

Our financial services client in Phoenix, AZ is seeking a highly skilled Lead Data Analyst who can also function as a Project Manager . This individual will oversee end-to-end data initiatives, manage cross-functional teams, work closely with offshore resources, and drive delivery across multiple business and technology stakeholders.

This is a hands-on role requiring strong technical expertise, leadership presence, and the ability to manage project timelines, deliverables, and team performance.

Key Responsibilities

Data Analysis & Technical Execution

• Lead complex data analysis , data modeling , and data validation efforts across multiple projects.
• Develop dashboards, reports, and insights using tools such as SQL , Python , Power BI , Tableau , or equivalent.
• Work closely with data engineering and business stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
• Ensure data quality, accuracy, and consistency across enterprise datasets.
• Review and optimize existing data pipelines and workflows.

Project Management

• Act as the primary PM for assigned data initiatives, owning project plans, timelines, risks, and escalation paths.
• Organize and lead sprint planning , standups, backlog grooming, and retrospectives.
• Coordinate deliverables across business analysts, developers, QA teams, and offshore counterparts.
• Manage scope, budgets (if applicable), and overall project health.
• Provide clear, proactive communication with leadership and stakeholders.

Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor a blended team of onsite and offshore analysts / engineers.
• Delegate tasks effectively and track delivery across time zones.
• Establish best practices in documentation, coding standards, and project processes.
• Partner with leadership to build and scale the analytics function.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with business units (finance, risk, operations, compliance, etc.) to gather requirements and define solutions.
• Serve as the main point of contact for technical discussions, clarification, and issue resolution.
• Collaborate with enterprise data teams to align with organizational standards.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience as a Data Analyst , Data Lead, or similar technical role.
• 3+ years of Project Management experience (Agile preferred).
• Strong hands-on experience with :
  • SQL (advanced)
  • Python (preferred)
  • Power BI , Tableau , Looker
  • Data modeling & ETL concepts
• Proven experience leading teams both onsite and offshore.
• Experience working in financial services or highly regulated environments.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP, Scrum Master, or Agile certification.
• Experience with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP).
• Strong understanding of financial domain datasets (risk, lending, payments, AML, etc.).
• Prior experience working with cross-functional architecture or governance teams.