Data Lead

Network Recruitment; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Recruitment is seeking an experienced Data Lead to own the data capabilities and drive scalable, reliable, and commercially focused data solutions. You will lead data engineering and analytics teams, shaping data platforms to support strategic objectives.

You will closely collaborate with business, product, and technical stakeholders, translate requirements into actionable data products, mentor a growing team, and push continuous improvement, governance, and compliance across data assets.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree required as listed in the job overview.
• Experience leading data teams and delivering data platforms and analytics solutions.
• Strong knowledge of data governance, privacy, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimisation of data platforms, pipelines, and data models.
• Translate business requirements into scalable and efficient data solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to data engineers and analysts.
• Drive improvements in data architecture, integration frameworks, and platform performance.
• Establish and maintain data quality, monitoring, and governance frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with business, product, and engineering teams to deliver impactful data solutions.
• Foster a culture of innovation, ownership, and continuous improvement within the data team.

Skills

Leadership

Data governance

Data architecture

ETL/ELT

SQL

Stakeholder management

Data modelling

Cloud & on-premise

Mentoring

Analytics & data products

Education

Relevant degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field

Tools

APIs

Big data platforms

SQL tooling

Job description

A leading data and technology business is seeking an experienced Data Lead to take ownership of its data capabilities and drive the development of scalable, reliable, and commercially focused data solutions.

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading data engineering and analytics teams while overseeing the design, optimisation, and governance of modern data platforms. Working closely with business, product, and technical stakeholders, you will ensure that data solutions support strategic objectives and deliver measurable business value. This is an ideal opportunity for a hands-on leader who combines strong technical expertise with commercial acumen and enjoys mentoring teams, solving complex challenges, and driving continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and optimisation of data platforms, pipelines, and data models. Translate business requirements into scalable and efficient data solutions. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to data engineers and analysts. Drive improvements in data architecture, integration frameworks, and platform performance. Establish and maintain data quality, monitoring, and governance frameworks. Ensure compliance with data privacy and regulatory requirements. Collaborate with business, product, and engineering teams to deliver impactful data solutions. Foster a culture of innovation, ownership, and continuous improvement within the data team.

Job Experience and Skills Required

Relevant degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field. 10+ years of experience in data-related roles. 5+ years of leadership experience within data management, data engineering, or data architecture environments. Proven experience designing and implementing modern data platforms and architectures. Experience with data governance, compliance, and data quality frameworks. Exposure to commercial or data product environments. Strong stakeholder engagement and advisory experience across technical and business teams. Strong knowledge of data architecture, data engineering, and integration patterns. Experience with ETL, ELT processes, APIs, and data platform design. Advanced SQL skills and experience with data pipeline development and optimisation. Understanding of cloud and on-premise data environments. Strong knowledge of data governance, data quality, and regulatory compliance. Ability to transform data into commercially valuable products and insights. Awareness of emerging trends in AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics. Experience within automotive, financial services, or consumer data environments. Exposure to AI and machine learning initiatives. Experience working with large-scale data products and customer-facing solutions.