Data Operations Specialist

What will you do?

The Investment Operations team is looking for a proactive and detail‑oriented individual to take responsibility for the day‑to‑day management of critical data processes within our team. The successful candidate will be required to consistently deliver on daily operational outputs while also managing and responding to ad hoc requests as they arise. To thrive in this role, you must be highly organised, self‑disciplined, and possess a strong eye for detail. We are seeking someone with a forward‑thinking mindset, someone who can anticipate future needs, adapt to a dynamic environment, and contribute to ongoing process improvement.

Key Responsibilities
Static Data Quality Operations (BAU)

• Perform daily monitoring of missing, incomplete, or invalid financial instrument static data across approved internal systems and ingestion feeds
• Validate and enrich static data using authoritative internal and external sources in line with approved data standards
• Remediate data issues in a controlled, traceable, and auditable manner
• Ensure static data updates are accurately documented and aligned to downstream usage requirements

Data Quality Validation & Control Execution

• Apply approved data quality dimensions such as completeness, accuracy, consistency, conformity, validity, timeliness, and integrity.
• You will be responsible for executing documented manual data quality checks where automation has not yet been implemented, ensuring all outputs meet required standards.
• Identify recurring data quality issues, support root‑cause analysis, and escalate concerns as needed to maintain a high‑quality data environment.

Landing Zone Enablement (Operational Change)

• Identify and catalogue all existing manual financial instrument static data quality checks.
• Translate manual checks into clearly defined, repeatable business rules.
• Collaborate with Data Engineering Team to support rule definition, testing, and business acceptance.
• Support the phased migration of manual quality controls into automated validations.

Data Governance Alignment

• Operate in accordance with the approved Group data governance and data management standards.
• Maintain documentation for static data definitions, validation rules, known exceptions, and remediation approaches.
• Support Data Stewards and Data Owners with data quality insights and exception reporting.

KPI Tracking & Reporting

• Track and report monthly data quality KPIs for financial instrument static data.
• Provide input into governance, management, and audit reporting as required.

Key Interfaces

• Sanlam Investments
• Business Data Stewards and Data Owners
• Asset data warehouse
• Operations, Trade Support, Compliance, and Reporting teams
• External data providers and administrators

Role Profile Summary

• Role Type: Operational data quality specialist
• Focus: Static data accuracy, completeness, and automation
• Not a data engineering or data scientist role.
• Limited investment operations functions.

What will make you successful in this role?

Qualifications & Experience:

• A relevant tertiary financial qualification
• 3 or more years’ experience in a similar role in asset management
• Financial instrument data experience is essential
• HIPORT & NX Manager knowledge would be an advantage

Behavioural Competencies:

• Ability to work accurately and have a strong attention to detail.
• Motivated and enthusiastic team player. Displays drive and energy.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Independent worker and displays initiative.
• Stress tolerant and results focused.
• Assertive and proactive.
• Ownership and initiative - Takes ownership in area of responsibility.
• Adaptability and flexibility – Willing to accept changing priorities and work patterns when required.
• Dependability and a strong work ethic.
• High attention to detail is critical.
• Professional, self starter.
• Ability to comprehend process from a high level to identify gaps and data inaccuracies.
• Problem solving and driver of innovation and automation.
• Relationship management and networking with stakeholders and service providers.
• Maintains a high standard of service with both internal and external clients.
• Teamwork and collaboration - Supports colleagues as well as the business in collaboration efforts

Technical Competencies:

• Analytical/problem solving skills.
• Previous data administration experience.
• Previous data component experience.
• Previous business analysis experience.
• Understand system data flow processes.

Knowledge and Skills

Personal Attributes

Build a successful career with us

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.

Core Competencies

Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers. 

Our commitment to transformation