Lead Specialist: Metadata and Reference Data

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Belonging at Absa

Absa is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from suitably qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds. In support of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) commitments and Employment Equity objectives, preference may be given to candidates from underrepresented designated groups, including persons with disabilities. We encourage applicants who may require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process to let us know so that appropriate support can be provided.

Job Summary

The Metadata and Reference Data Lead Specialist will be responsible for strengthening the organisation’s Data Governance capability through the effective management of business Glossaries, Data Lineage, Reference Data and Metadata Standards. The role will support improved data understanding, ownership, consistency, traceability and control across the business.

Job Description

Key Focus Areas

• Data glossary development and maintenance.
• Business and technical metadata management.
• Data Lineage documentation and validation.
• Reference Data Governance and control.
• Data Ownership and stewardship support.
• Critical Data Element Metadata enrichment.
• Standards implementation and evidence management.
• Data Quality support through clear definitions, rules and ownership.
• Governance reporting and issue tracking.
• Stakeholder engagement across business, Technology, Risk and Data teams.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop, maintain and enhance the business data Glossary to ensure consistent definitions, terminology and business understanding.
• Support the documentation of Data Lineage across key systems, reports, processes and Critical Data Elements.
• Coordinate Reference Data reviews to ensure values, hierarchies, ownership, usage and controls are clearly defined and maintained.
• Work with Data Owners, Data Stewards, Product Owners and System Owners to confirm definitions, lineage, rules and metadata requirements.
• Support the identification and documentation of Critical Data Elements, including definitions, sources, usage, ownership and controls.
• Maintain accurate Metadata records and ensure alignment to Data Governance standards.
• Identify gaps in Metadata, Glossary, Lineage and Reference Data and track remediation actions.
• Prepare governance updates, dashboards and reports on metadata, glossary, lineage and reference data progress.
• Support audit, risk and regulatory evidence requirements relating to data traceability, ownership and control.
• Contribute to the implementation of data management policies, standards and operating procedures.

Operational Effectiveness

• Improve the completeness, quality and usability of metadata across priority data domains.
• Ensure glossary terms, lineage and reference data artefacts are maintained accurately and timeously.
• Drive consistent use of approved definitions and reference data across reports, systems and business processes.
• Support the reduction of ambiguity, duplication and inconsistent interpretation of data.
• Track actions, dependencies and issues to ensure timely delivery against agreed governance plans.
• Support automation and tooling opportunities for metadata, lineage and reference data management.

Good Governance

• Promote adherence to data governance, metadata, lineage and reference data standards.
• Ensure clear ownership and accountability for key data terms, reference data sets and lineage documentation.
• Maintain reliable audit trails for approvals, changes, decisions and evidence.
• Support governance forums with accurate reporting and clear escalation of risks or issues.
• Ensure metadata and reference data activities support regulatory reporting, risk management and data quality improvement.
• Embed sustainable governance practices that can be evidenced and monitored over time.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with business stakeholders to define and validate glossary terms, business rules and data usage.
• Work closely with Technology and Architecture teams to document technical metadata and lineage.
• Engage Data Owners and Stewards to confirm ownership, accountability and approval of metadata artefacts.
• Collaborate with Risk, Compliance, Finance, Operations and Reporting teams to ensure data is consistently understood and controlled.
• Facilitate working sessions to resolve definition conflicts, lineage gaps and reference data issues.
• Communicate requirements clearly and provide practical guidance to stakeholders.

Qualifications and Education

• Relevant diploma or degree
• Certification in Data Governance, Metadata Management, DAMA, Information Management, Data Quality or Data Architecture would be advantageous.

Field of Study

Preferred fields include:

• Data Management or Data Governance
• Information Management
• Information Systems
• Computer Science
• Business Analysis
• Risk Management or Compliance
• Business Administration
• Data Analytics or Reporting

Work Experience

• 5 - 8 years’ experience in Data Governance, Metadata Management, Reference Data, Data Quality, business analysis, reporting, risk or Information Management.
• Experience developing or maintaining a data glossary, business definitions, metadata repositories or data catalogues.
• Experience with data lineage documentation across systems, reports, processes or data flows.
• Exposure to reference data governance, including code sets, hierarchies, ownership and change control.
• Experience working with Data Owners, Data Stewards, Technology teams and business stakeholders.
• Experience in a regulated environment, preferably financial services or banking, would be advantageous.
• Experience using tools such as Collibra, Informatica, Ataccama, Microsoft Purview, Power BI, Excel, SharePoint or similar platforms would be beneficial.

Competencies

• Strong understanding of data governance principles.
• Good knowledge of metadata, glossary, lineage and reference data concepts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to translate technical data concepts into clear business language.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on actions.
• Structured, disciplined and process-oriented approach.
• Comfortable working across business, technology, risk and governance teams.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint. Experience with data governance or metadata tools would be advantageous.

Education

Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies