Data Lead

Network Finance; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Finance in Randburg seeks a seasoned Data Lead to own data capabilities, drive scalable data platforms, and deliver measurable business value. You will lead data engineers and analysts, aligning data strategy with business goals and regulatory requirements.

The role combines hands-on technical leadership with commercial acumen, mentoring teams, and delivering customer-facing data solutions in collaboration with product and business stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Degree in data science, computer science, engineering, business or related field.
• 10+ years in data-related roles; 5+ years leading data teams.

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

Data leadership

Advanced SQL

Data architecture

ETL/ELT

APIs

Data governance

Stakeholder management

AI/ML awareness

Data monetization

Cloud/on‑prem

Large-scale data products

Customer-facing data products

Education

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

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.