Data & AI Senior Manager

Data and AI Senior Manager

Number of positions: 1

Function and Business Unit:
Strategy and Operations:
Technology & Innovation (JHB / DBN)

KPMG is looking for an experienced and talented Data and AI Senior Manager who will help to grow our data delivery team by architecting, designing and implementing large‑scale Data Platform, Business Intelligence (BI) and Analytics solutions for our clients. The role is highly technical and requires a robust understanding and hands‑on expertise of Microsoft Azure cloud technologies, data architecture and modelling concepts.

It also demands strong analytical, problem‑solving and planning skills, as well as communication and collaboration skills to achieve results in a dynamic environment.

• Architect and oversee end‑to‑end design, deployment, and delivery of Azure Data Platforms, across Data Lakes, Data Warehouses, Data Lake houses, pipelines, BI and Data Analytics solutions.
• Presales, estimating and proposal writing, responding to RFPs.
• Stay up to date with new and emerging technologies.
• Work with clients to develop data technology strategy and roadmaps, and plan delivery.
• Oversee and support delivery team outputs.
• Model, design, and build data structures.
• Enforce technical architecture and documentation standards, policies, and procedures.
• Analyze, implement, and resolve issues with existing Azure Data Platforms.
• Work with business experts and customers to translate business requirements into reporting and data analytics functionality.
• Assist in scoping, estimation, and task planning for assigned projects.
• Follow project work plans to meet functionality requirements, project objectives, and timelines.
• Provide accurate and complete technical architectural documents.
• Address customer queries and issues promptly.
• Mentor and provide hands‑on guidance to other team members.

• Identify, shape, and qualify new opportunities across existing and new clients.
• Lead proposal development, including solutioning, estimation, and presentation of approach and value proposition.
• Support go‑to‑market initiatives, thought leadership, and sales campaigns.
• Build long‑term client relationships and contribute to practice growth targets.

• Minimum of 8 years in a similar senior role, with consulting experience an advantage.
• Experience designing and implementing Azure Data solutions using services such as Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Databricks, Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2, Azure SQL Database, Azure Data Factory, Azure Dev Ops, Azure Stream Analytics, Microsoft Power BI, and Microsoft Fabric.
• Familiarity with Azure Purview.
• Understanding of Master Data Management and Data Governance frameworks.
• Experience with CI/CD development approaches.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to lead and work as part of a diverse technical team.
• Customer‑service orientation.
• Flexibility to work in a fast‑paced, changing environment.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Willingness to travel abroad when required.
• Graduate‑level education in Computer Science or a relevant field, or an equivalent professional qualification.
• Formal training and/or certification in related technologies is highly valued.
• Knowledge of Common Data Models or Industry Data Models considered an asset.
• Experience in OLAP technology and Microsoft on‑premises BI stack (SSIS/SSRS/SSAS) is useful but not mandatory.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365 products and the Microsoft Power Platform considered an asset.
• Certification in data engineering, data science, or analytics considered advantageous.

Self‑motivated, quick learner, and able to work in diverse teams.