BI Development Manager

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Santam’s Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics & Automation (AIDAA) team is seeking a skilled and experienced Development Manager: BI Insights to manage the technical extension and on-going enhancements to the DataHub/ InfoCenter, maintenance of various exploitation tools and establish new BI capabilities in line with the target architecture for BI. Working specifically with Technical Architecture and Release & Deployment Management to support and maintain the BI DataHub technical infrastructure, Application DevOps processes & procedures. 

Specific emphasis for this role will be the support of the development teams, implementation of alerting & monitoring and the support of infrastructure and application components.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The purpose of the role includes the following:

• Ensure that the application systems are designed, built and operated in an effective and efficient manner.
• Ensure technical delivery and operation of IT applications with specific focus on appropriateness, technical quality, maintainability, performance and availability.
• Ensure the delivery of BI initiatives, and BI delivery streams as parts of broader initiatives. This would include, but not be limited to the BI Cloud transition.

 
Primary responsibilities: 

The Development Manager: BI Insights will provide the following key services: 

DATA STRATEGY & QUALITY:

• Participate in data strategy formulation in order to conceptualise change programmes, projects and initiatives.
• Support the end-to-end data strategy and roadmap, spanning from data acquisition, data integration, processing, management and usage for the Santam Group.
• Identify opportunities to influence the improvement or enhancement of business processes and methodologies as it relates to BI by researching and recommending improvement initiatives and effective ways to operate and add value to Santam.
• Collaborate with the key business stakeholders.
• Oversee cross-functional efforts to improve data quality and security and promote strategic leveraging of data as a business asset.

SOLUTION DELIVERY AND MANAGEMENT:

• Detailed planning of technical delivery of new applications and application extensions.
• Set and ensure compliance with development and solution design standards.
• Manage upgrade existing technology components to remain current with organisation standards.
• Plan, select and implement new technology enablers as needed.
• Ensure appropriateness, quality & completeness of solutions.

Build strong partnerships with Business Development Partners, Product Owners, Scrum Masters, other IT Development Managers, Enterprise Architecture and external vendors.
 
TECHNICAL SUPPORT

• Monitoring and management of hardware & software resource performance (CPU, Memory, Disk I/O, etc.)  across all data environments and take decisive action where potential business user impact is anticipated or experienced.
• Collaborating with Architects and Technical Specialists on ways to automate and improve the development, release management and production observation processes & procedures.
• Collaborates with ETL developers, data engineers and data analysts to ensure that development follows established processes and works as intended.
• System troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Installation of software (from operating systems through to applications) across environments.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

• Work with Development teams and technical staff, to ensure the solutions/amendments are implemented according to best practice.
• Participate in various Troubleshooting & Problem-Solving initiatives setup and managed by Technical Support and/or SGT.

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT:

• Manage performance and development of all direct reports.
• Assist with the growth on performance, capacity and capability within the team through effective knowledge transfer.
• Provide training, mentorship and leadership to direct and inspire a high-performance team.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Relevant B Degree or equivalent workplace experience
• 5 to 10 years at application development experience  
• Minimum 10 years strong Data Management experience
• Experience managing technical staff

KNOWEDGE

• Experienced in dealing with external suppliers and offshore business partners will be advantageous
• Working knowledge of Data Management
• Working knowledge of Agile software delivery methods
• Agile delivery methods, including Scrum at Scale
• Excellent decision making & organising skills

SKILLS

• Strategic thinker who can also work at detail level.
• Ability to understand and interpret business strategy from definition into execution; Ability to think holistically as well as at a detailed level.
• 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 ; networks; networks; credible consulting skills.
• Outstanding influencing & negotiating skills, influence thinking at an executive & senior management level.
• Motivate others and mentoring others
• Excellent decision making & organizing skills
• Persuasive with excellent oral & written communication skills: concise, impactful and appropriate with good track record.

COMPETENCIES

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping  our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

COMPETENCIES

• Client focus
• Cultivates Innovation
• Drives Results
• Collaborates
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Competent in problem solving and troubleshooting
• Analytical and systems thinker
• Project Oversight
• Produce creative solutions to business problems
• Reporting and Administration
• Quality, Compliance and Accreditation
• Communicate complex concepts in easy to understand manner

ABOUT SANTAM

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!