Data Engineering Operations Manager at Old Mutual South Africa

Job Description

• The Data Engineering Operations Manager is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Data Engineering team, ensuring that workflows are executed smoothly, resources are efficiently allocated, and processes are continuously optimized. This role requires solid knowledge of data engineering practices but focuses on operational management rather than technical execution. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, experience in project management, and the ability to drive efficiency within a dynamic team environment.

Critical objectives and responsibilities

Operational Management:

• Oversee daily, weekly, and monthly data workflows, ensuring timely and accurate delivery.
• Manage the distribution of workloads within the team, ensuring fairness and preventing burnout.
• Ensure all operational processes are documented, followed, and regularly reviewed for improvement opportunities.
• Monitor and manage the escalation process for operational issues, ensuring quick resolution and minimal disruption.
• Collaborate with senior engineers and other stakeholders to evaluate and prioritize adhoc requests.

Team Leadership:

• Lead and mentor a team of data engineers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Facilitate daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives, ensuring the team remains aligned with goals.
• Work closely with the Head of Data Engineering to manage resource allocation and project timelines.

Project Management:

• Ensure that projects are managed using Agile methodologies, with clear definition and prioritization of tasks.
• Oversee the backlog management process, ensuring work is properly refined, prioritized, and assigned.
• Coordinate with other departments to align operational tasks with broader business objectives.

Process Improvement:

• Identify and implement opportunities for process optimization to enhance team productivity.
• Stay informed about industry best practices in operational management and apply relevant improvements.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Act as a liaison between the Data Engineering team and other departments, ensuring clear communication and alignment.
• Provide regular updates on operational status, project progress, and any issues to the Head of Data Engineering and other stakeholders. documentation, referrals, fulfilment, renewals and multi-claimants.
• Develop and implement customer solutions to address changing service requirements, implement strategies to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Communicates product, technology changes, industry trends, process inefficiencies and portfolio objectives against plan to the portfolio team.
• Identify solutions to enhance cost effectiveness and increase operational efficiency.

Experience, knowledge & skills required

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related field.
Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in an operations management role, preferably within a technical or data-focused environment.
• Proven experience in managing teams, overseeing workflows, and driving process improvements.
• Solid understanding of data engineering processes and practices, though deep technical expertise is not required.

Skills:

• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide a diverse team.
• Excellent project management skills, with experience in Agile methodologies.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, with a focus on operational efficiency.