Head: Data

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Santam Broker Solutions (SBS) has a Head of Data role available. The role calls for a commercially minded, technically credible leader responsible for delivering trusted, accessible, and decision‑ready data, reporting, and insights that enable SBS leaders and teams to run the business effectively, while maturing the SBS data capability.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

The SBS Head of Data is accountable for establishing data as a strategic asset that delivers tangible business value, enabling growth, profitability, effective governance, and informed decision‑making across SBS.

The role drives the transition from fragmented reporting and ad hoc analytics to a coherent SBS data delivery capability, where operational, distribution, portfolio, and financial insights are readily available at users’ fingertips.

Given SBS’s current position in the data maturity journey, the role requires a hands‑on leader who can both shape strategy and actively supervise, guide, and deliver data outputs, including self‑service enablement, data assets, and reporting.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.    Data Strategy & Leadership
•    Define, maintain, and execute the SBS Data Strategy and multi-year roadmap aligned to SBS and Santam Group strategies
•    Establish clear data goals, success metrics, and a SBS Data Scorecard
•    Ensure regular review, communication, and visibility of data strategy progress across SBS Exco and Manco
•    Act as the primary SBS interface to Group Data leadership and shared services
•    Translate business priorities into clear data delivery outcomes, dashboards, and data products that support decision‑making

2.    Data Operating Model, Governance & Stewardship
•    Design and implement a fit-for-purpose SBS Data Operating Model
•    Establish Data Ownership and Data Stewardship roles with clear RACI and governance forums
•    Embed data management, governance, protection, and ethical use principles into SBS processes
•    Ensure compliance with POPIA, data retention, archiving, storage, and other relevant regulatory and internal data requirements
•    Identify, manage, and mitigate data‑related risks, including oversight of remediation actions and escalations

3.    Data Value, ROI & Prioritisation
•    Create and maintain a SBS Data Use Case Inventory aligned to business priorities
•    Implement a consistent Data ROI and prioritisation framework
•    Track and report on benefits realisation and investment effectiveness of data initiatives
•    Drive structured communication of data-driven value and successes

4.    Data Platform Enablement & Delivery
•    Oversee the collection, integration, management, and distribution of trusted SBS data
•    Improve data integration and reduce reliance on manual workarounds and reconciliations
•    Balance enterprise technology dependencies while ensuring SBS data roadmap delivery
•    Proactively resolve data access, quality, and reporting constraints
•    Supervise and guide SBS self‑service BI and analytics delivery, including hands‑on involvement where required

5.    Self-Service Enablement
•    Define and deploy a Self-Service BI and Analytics Governance Framework
•    Increase adoption of Self-service BI while maintaining trust and controls
•    Oversee and support SBS self‑service requirements during early maturity stages, including understanding and addressing technical gaps

6.    Data Outputs & Reporting Accountability
Clarify ownership and delivery of SBS data outputs, including:
•    Operational reporting supporting sales, administration, and operational management
•    Distribution and broker reporting supporting broker engagement and distribution performance
•    Portfolio and performance insights, with clear interfaces between SBS Data and actuarial / portfolio teams
•    Integration of financial and non‑financial data

7.    Data Culture, Literacy & People Leadership
•    Lead, manage, and develop the existing SBS data team, including resources responsible for SBS data assets and platforms
•    Design and execute SBS data literacy and analytics training programmes
•    Drive change management and adoption of data‑driven behaviours
•    Provide technical leadership and oversight to a team of data and BI specialists

8.    Group & Enterprise Alignment
Define and maintain clear boundaries between SBS Data and Group Data teams, including:
•    Group teams responsible for core ingestion, enterprise data engineering, and foundational platforms
•    SBS Data responsible for SBS‑specific data assets, transformations, reporting, dashboards, and business insight delivery

9.    Funding, Planning & Sustainability
•    Define multi-year investment requirements aligned to the data roadmap
•    Support the establishment of sustainable funding mechanisms for data initiatives
•    Ensure funding decisions are aligned to value, ROI, and strategic priorities

10.    Data Innovation 
•    Institute a formal data innovation framework
•    Ensure responsible, ethical, and compliant use of data

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

•    Relevant degree in Data, Analytics, Information Systems, Statistics, Engineering, Business, or Finance
•    Eight or more years’ experience in senior data, analytics, or information leadership roles
•    Proven experience improving data maturity in complex organisations
•    Proven experience leading data delivery and analytics teams, moving organisations from fragmented reporting to usable, decision‑ready insights
•    Insurance or financial services experience is strongly advantageous

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

•    Data strategy, governance, stewardship, and operating models
•    Data quality management, BI, analytics, and self-service enablement
•    Strong commercial acumen and stakeholder management skills
•    Ability to translate complex data into clear business insights
•    Strong technical understanding of SQL‑based data environments and BI tools (e.g. Qlik or equivalent), sufficient to lead and challenge technical specialists

COMPETENCIES

•    Strategic thinking and execution
•    Leadership and collaboration
•    Commercial and results-driven mindset
•    Change leadership and resilience
•    Cultivates Innovation, Customer Focus, Drives Results

WHO WE ARE

Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. As a large, diversified, and expanding company, we are committed to transformation and growth. While our headquarters are in South Africa, we are rapidly extending our presence into emerging markets across Africa and Asia.

With a client base of over 1 million policyholders, Santam serves individuals, commercial enterprises, specialist business owners, and institutions—including 80 of the Top 100 companies listed on the JSE. Our commitment to Insurance, Good and Proper goes beyond just providing cover—we offer peace of mind, ensuring our clients can focus on living in the moment, not worrying about the unexpected. Because at Santam, we believe the freedom to seize every day is worth protecting.

People drive our business, and we are committed to attracting the best talent, whether for permanent roles or short-term opportunities. 

Santam is committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities. We are dedicated to neuro-inclusivity and fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive. 

Take the next step in your career—apply now and be part of a company that’s shaping the future of insurance. This is Freedom!