Senior BI Specialist

We are seeking an experienced and driven Senior Business Intelligence (BI) Specialist to lead the design, development, and implementation of impactful BI solutions and data-driven insights. In this role, you will champion company standards, mentor a talented team of analysts, and bridge the gap between complex data and strategic executive decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Input and Resource Planning

• Provide strategic input into Business Intelligence and analytics policies, procedures, and departmental goals.
• Collaborate with the Analytics team to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify and recommend innovative BI tools, data visualization frameworks, and technologies to enhance scalability, accuracy, and accessibility.
• Contribute to resource and budgetary requirements to support annual planning and project forecasting.

Solution Development and Delivery

• Analyze complex data sets in close collaboration with business units to translate BI requirements into actionable project goals and deliverables.
• Manage the full lifecycle and implementation of approved BI projects from conception to completion.
• Delegate responsibilities, manage resources, and provide guidance to data analysts to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Lead the development and integration of robust BI data models, semantic layers, and reporting structures.
• Track project progress, monitor post-implementation performance, and quickly resolve any operational issues.

Data Governance, Compliance, and Quality Assurance

• Contribute to data management practices that ensure data quality, integrity, and accessibility across all analytics systems.
• Ensure full compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) requirements, and internal data governance policies.
• Safeguard data dictionaries, oversee secure storage repositories, and ensure rigorous data hygiene and reproducibility.
• Review datasets and data models for structural optimization, performance, and compliance prior to publication.

People Management

• Lead the complete performance management cycle for direct reports, including goal-setting, appraisals, and timely feedback.
• Coach and mentor team members, support individual development plans, and coordinate relevant training opportunities.
• Manage workloads, balance team capacity, and oversee leave and workforce planning in partnership with HR.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team culture while ensuring adherence to HR policies and South African Labour Legislation.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Machine Learning, or a relevant field (NQF Level 7).
• Honours or Master’s degree in a relevant field (NQF Level 8 / 9) is ideal.
• 5+ years of specialized experience in Business Intelligence.
• 3+ years of managerial or team-leading experience.
• Relevant experience in the banking industry is strongly advantageous.

Skills and Attributes

• Uncompromising integrity, honesty, and professional ethics.
• Strong personal accountability, ownership, and commitment to excellence.
• High resilience, perseverance, and intellectual curiosity.
• Ability to operate independently while remaining fiercely loyal to team and organizational success.

Technical Stack & Phased Capabilities

Phase 1: Core Data & BI Engineering

• Skills & Algorithms: Database optimization, automated ETL pipelines, stored procedures, advanced data modeling, context filtering, row-level security, statistical profiling, and legacy predictive validation.
• Tech Stack: SQL Server (SSMS, SSIS), Power Query, Power BI (DAX), Tableau, SAS.

Phase 2: Predictive AI & Automation

• Skills & Algorithms: Binary classification, feature engineering for upsell/cross-sell propensity, regression trees, ensemble learning, automated lead scoring, survival analysis, customer lifetime value (LTV) estimation, and NLP for service ticket intent.
• Tech Stack: Python (scikit-learn, XGBoost, lifelines, HuggingFace), R, SQL Server, Power Query, Power BI.

Phase 3: Advanced Optimization & Geo

• Skills & Algorithms: Location allocation algorithms, spatial clustering, spatial regression, constrained optimization, attribution modeling, and marketing mix modeling (MMM).
• Tech Stack: ArcGIS, Python (GeoPandas, PySAL, SciPy.optimize), R, Full Ecosystem Transformation tools.

How to Apply

If you meet the requirements and are ready to take on this exciting challenge, please forward your updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) to our recruitment team.