About SWORD GROUP
SWORD Group, being a leader in IT software solutions and services, has 3800+ IT/Digital & Software specialists present over 5 continents to accompany you in the growth of your organization in the digital age. SWORD is present in the MEA region through its offices in KSA, UAE, Lebanon, and Cyprus counting more than 450 skilled consultants in the region. As a leader in technological and digital transformation, SWORD Group has since the year 2000 acquired a solid reputation in software solutions and in complex IT & business project management. With SWORD you have the guarantee of strong close and qualified local commitment, the aim of which is to automate your business processes and optimize/maximize the usage of business data.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Data Manager/ Lead Data Engineer to lead our client's enterprise-wide Data Management Platform (DMP) initiative. The successful candidate will act as the organization's key data authority, responsible for overseeing the implementation of a strategic data platform, governing enterprise data assets, and managing relationships with implementation partners and technology vendors.
This position combines data management leadership, enterprise architecture, data governance, and hands-on technical expertise. The selected candidate will supervise the external system integrator responsible for the solution implementation while ensuring that the delivered platform meets business, technical, governance, and compliance requirements.
A strong background in SAP data ecosystems is highly preferred, particularly in environments involving SAP ERP, SAP S/4HANA, SAP BW, SAP Datasphere, SAP Data Intelligence, SAP MDG, or related technologies
Key Responsibilities
Data Platform Leadership
- Lead the design, implementation, and operationalization of the enterprise Data Management Platform.
- Define the organization's data strategy, roadmap, and governance framework.
- Ensure alignment between business objectives and data management initiatives.
- Establish enterprise-wide data standards, policies, and best practices.
Vendor & Implementation Management
- Act as the primary client-side data lead throughout the project lifecycle
- Manage and supervise the implementation partner and third-party suppliers
- Review solution designs, architecture, deliverables, project plans, and technical documentation
- Ensure project milestones, quality standards, budgets, and timelines are achieved
- Coordinate workshops, design reviews, testing activities, and deployment readiness assessments
Data Governance & Quality Control
- Establish and enforce data governance processes
- Define data ownership, stewardship, and accountability model
- Develop enterprise data quality frameworks and KPI
- Oversee data cataloging, metadata management, lineage, and master data initiative
- Ensure compliance with regulatory and organizational data policies
SAP & Enterprise Data Management
- Lead data integration initiatives across SAP and non-SAP system
- Support master data management, data migration, and data harmonization project
- Ensure consistent data definitions across ERP, CRM, HR, Finance, Procurement, and operational system
- Drive enterprise-wide data transformation and modernization initiatives
Architecture & Integration
- Collaborate with enterprise architects and business stakeholders to define target-state architecture
- Review integration patterns, data models, ETL/ELT processes, APIs, and data flow
- Support the adoption of modern data platforms including cloud and hybrid architectures
- Ensure scalability, security, resilience, and performance of the data ecosystem
Stakeholder Management
- Serve as the trusted advisor to executive stakeholders on all data-related matters
- Facilitate communication between business units, technical teams, and vendors
- Present project status, risks, recommendations, and governance updates to senior leadership
- Drive organizational adoption of data-driven decision making
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or related field
- 10+ years of experience in Data Management, Data Engineering, Data Architecture, or Enterprise Data Governance.
- Proven experience leading enterprise-wide data transformation programs.
- Demonstrated experience managing external vendors, system integrators, and consulting partners
- Strong knowledge of Data Governance, Master Data Management (MDM), Data Quality, Metadata Management, and Data Catalog solutions.
- Experience designing and governing enterprise data architectures
- Strong experience working with SAP data environments. (Highly Preferred)
Technical Competencies
- Data Warehousing and Data Lake architectures
- ETL/ELT technologies and integration platforms
- SQL and modern data engineering practices
- Cloud data platforms (Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google Cloud)
- Data modeling and enterprise information architecture
- Reporting, analytics, and business intelligence platforms
Key Success Factors
The ideal candidate will be:
- A strategic thinker capable of leading enterprise data transformation
- Comfortable managing executive stakeholders and implementation partners
- Able to bridge business and technical teams
- Experienced in large-scale SAP-centric environments
- Passionate about data governance, quality, and value realization
Why Join us
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge cloud projects impacting enterprise-scale systems
- Enjoy a Hybrid/Remote Work Environment
- Being part of a Dynamic and Supportive Environment focused on Employee Wellness
- Gain International Exposure and Multicultural Experience
- Learn from a Diversified Team of experts across the world
- Have the possibility to travel for defined engagements to a regional office within SWORD Group.
