The Role
Lead metadata and reference data governance across the organization by maintaining business glossaries, documenting data lineage, managing reference data, enriching critical data element metadata, and tracking governance issues. The role partners with data owners, stewards, technology, risk, compliance, finance, and reporting teams to improve data consistency, traceability, ownership, quality, and regulatory evidence. It also prepares governance reports, supports standards implementation, and identifies automation opportunities.
Summary Generated by Built In
Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.
With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.
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 StudiesSkills Required
- Relevant diploma or degree
- 5–8 years of 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
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint
- Experience in a regulated environment, preferably financial services or banking
- Experience using Collibra, Informatica, Ataccama, Microsoft Purview, Power BI, or similar platforms
- Certification in Data Governance, Metadata Management, DAMA, Information Management, Data Quality, or Data Architecture
Absa Group Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Absa Group and has not been reviewed or approved by Absa Group.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical aid, group life, disability, and funeral cover are described as comprehensive, with features such as terminal‑illness advances and beneficiary grocery benefits. Wellness and assistance offerings support overall financial and personal wellbeing.
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Retirement Support — A pension fund and group retirement arrangements are positioned as core benefits within fixed remuneration. Retirement coverage is embedded alongside other protections as part of standard employment.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Employee share‑ownership (eKhaya) and equity‑linked awards broaden wealth‑sharing, with dividends or cash‑equivalent participation in some markets. This provides longer‑term value beyond base pay.
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The Company
What We Do
Absa Group Limited (Absa) has forged a new way of getting things done, driven by bravery and passion, with the readiness to realise growth on the African continent and beyond. We’re a truly African brand, inspired by the people we serve in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. We also have representative offices in China, Namibia, Nigeria and the United States, as well as securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States, along with technology support colleagues in the Czech Republic.
