Technical Data Analyst

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a highly skilled Technical Data Analyst to play a key role in the design, development, and optimisation of our enterprise data warehouse. This position is responsible for enhancing and maintaining the data warehouse environment, ensuring data integrity, and delivering scalable and high-performing solutions to support business intelligence and analytics needs.

As an expert contributor, you will lead the technical design of data solutions, collaborate with analysts and developers, and provide guidance to ensure the efficient and accurate refresh of data pipelines. You will also work closely with stakeholders to deliver robust data architecture and support strategic decision-making across the organisation.  The role will be based in Bellville, Cape Town 

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Technical Data Analyst is a seasoned expert responsible for the design, modeling, and maintenance of enterprise-level data warehouse solutions. This role plays a critical part in ensuring the accuracy, performance, and integrity of data assets, aligning technical solutions with business needs across various domains. The analyst will lead the development and optimisation of data models, provide technical guidance to development teams, and serve as a key contributor in shaping data architecture strategies.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in data modeling and data architecture with strong business acumen and stakeholder collaboration. This role requires independent decision-making, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to guide teams through complex data challenges in both project and operational contexts.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Data Architecture & Modeling

• Design and maintain enterprise-level logical, physical, and dimensional data models.
• Ensure alignment of data models with business processes and enterprise architecture standards.
• Provide expert input into the design of data integration, transformation, and loading (ETL) processes.
• Analyse and validate data models against business and technical requirements.

Solution Design & Development Support

• Translate business requirements into data architecture specifications and data warehouse designs.
• Collaborate with architects, analysts, and developers to ensure cohesive and optimised solutions.
• Conduct change impact assessments and ensure data consistency across systems.
• Assist with data source evaluation, business rule definition, and metadata 

Performance Optimisation & Quality Assurance

• Design and implement solutions to improve the performance and quality of data loads.
• Perform root cause analysis for data issues and design sustainable corrective actions.
• Conduct peer reviews of specifications and ensure adherence to design standards.
• Support testing processes by contributing to test case and test plan creation.
• Leadership & Collaboration
• Provide technical mentorship and support to data analysts and ETL developers.
• Act as a subject matter expert across business areas, helping to bridge the gap between business needs and technical implementation.
• Lead the development phase in data projects, supporting delivery timelines and resource planning.
• Participate in strategic technology and data model decisions throughout the project lifecycle.

Governance, Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure compliance with information management policies, metadata standards, and data governance practices.
• Document design decisions, business rules, and data lineage in a central knowledge repository.
• Maintain business and technical metadata, contributing to the organisation's data dictionary.
• Escalate compliance or data quality risks to senior management as needed.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with IT architects, business analysts, and business stakeholders to align data solutions with organisational goals.
• Communicate data architecture and roadmap decisions effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Provide persuasive input to influence strategic decisions, technology adoption, or architectural direction.
• Customise communications and presentations based on audience needs and levels of technical understanding.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Relevant B Degree or equivalent workplace experience
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in data analysis, data warehousing, and data modeling roles.

KNOWLEDGE

• Working knowledge of Agile software delivery methods, including Scrum at Scale
• Proven experience in enterprise-level data warehouse environments, including architecture, integration, and optimisation.
• Experience with data modeling techniques (dimensional, conceptual, logical, relational).
• Strong experience in designing and maintaining ETL processes
• Hands-on experience with data query languages and platforms (e.g., SQL).
• Experience with metadata management, data governance, and data quality frameworks will be beneficial
• Understanding of information security, data privacy, and risk management principles as they relate to enterprise data environments will be beneficial
• Proficiency with any data modeling tools will be beneficial
• Familiarity with data visualisation and reporting tools (e.g., Qlik, Cognos, Business Objects, Power BI) is a plus.

SKILLS

• Ability to understand and interpret business strategy from definition into execution
• Ability to think holistically as well as at a detailed level
• Excellent decision making & organising skills
• Persuasive with excellent oral & written communication skills:  concise, impactful and appropriate with good track record
• Strong analytical, interpretative and problem-solving skills: creative analytical thinking, systems thinking, planning, challenging assumptions and orthodoxies, turning concepts and big picture into detailed actions and targets, ability to look across the business and see inconsistencies in data or strategy
• Behavioral characteristics: ethics, listening, trustworthiness, make things happen, energetic, proactive and positive thinking
• Interaction skills: facilitation; mentoring; leadership and influencing; negotiation; teamwork; build relationships; building networks; credible consulting skills
• Outstanding influencing & negotiating skills
• Challenge current assumptions and beliefs
• Competent in problem solving and troubleshooting
• Produce creative solutions to business problems
• Communicate complex concepts in easy-to-understand manner

COMPETENCIES

• Client focus
• Stakeholder Management
• Cultivates Innovation
• Drives Results
• Collaborates
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Analytical and systems thinker
• Deciding and initiating action
• Perform under pressure
• Project Oversight
• Reporting and Administration
• Challenge current assumptions and beliefs

ABOUT THE COMPANY

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!