Senior Manager - Data Engineer at MTN

Responsibilities

The Senior Manager – Data Engineer will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:

• Provide strong leadership to the squad, ensuring clarity of goals, roles, and responsibilities. Foster a collaborative and self-organizing team culture, promoting trust, motivation, and accountability
• Guide the adoption, design and implementation of Agile methodologies, within the Data team. Educate the team on Agile principles, ceremonies, and practices. Ensure that the team follows Agile processes effectively and continuously improve the Agile implementation
• Responsible for development and implementation of data management strategies to support the software engineering centre of excellence’s goals and objectives 
• Maintain the data infrastructures, including databases, data warehouses and data lakes to ensure availability, reliability and performance of data systems
• Responsible for reviewing technical designs, troubleshooting complex data issues, providing technical solutions while ensuring adherence to best practices and data standards
• Lead the design of various data models and implementation of scalable data architectures that support the business objectives
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product management, marketing, and engineering, to create innovative and effective technical designs through workshop facilitation and co-creation with internal, external parties
• Work closely with data scientists, analysts and other departments to understand the data needs and provides solutions that align with their requirements
• Lead research initiatives and spearhead competitive analysis to take informed strategic decisions 
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of strategic initiatives and design solutions, providing insights and recommendations for improvement 
• Provide mentorship and guidance to mid and junior data engineers, fostering a culture of creativity and innovation 
• Facilitate effective communication within the team and across stakeholders. Conduct daily stand-up meetings to promote transparency, identify and resolve any obstacles or impediments. Ensure regular and clear communication on project progress, risks, and dependencies
• Define and track relevant metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure team performance, quality, and productivity. Provide regular status updates and reports to key stakeholders to keep them informed of project progress and outcomes
• Foster the growth and professional development of team members. Provide coaching, mentorship, and support to enhance their technical skills and career progression. Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback to help individuals improve and excel

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field 
• Relevant certifications in data engineering or cloud platforms (preferred)

Experience:

• 8+ years of relevant working experience 
• Minimum of 5-8 years of experience in data engineering or a related role, 
• Expertise in designing and implementing scalable data solutions 
• Experience in architecting and optimizing data infrastructure in a technology-focused organization 
• Experience of working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment 

Skills:

• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or Scala 
• Proficient in using design software (e.g.: Figma and other tools)
• Strong understanding of data processing frameworks and tools (e.g., Apache Spark, Hadoop, Kafka)
• Strong understanding of data modelling, ETL processes and data integration techniques
• Familiarity with containerization and orchestration tools (e.g.: Docker, Kubernetes) 
• Ability to mentor and develop team members and foster a collaborative work environment