Lead Data Business Analyst / Data Subject Matter Expert

We are seeking a highly experienced and analytical Lead Data Business Analyst / Data Subject Matter Expert (SME) with 10+ years of proven experience in data analysis, business analysis, and data architecture within enterprise data ecosystems. In this role, you will serve as the core Subject Matter Expert for Client and Account data flows , end-to-end data lineage, transaction processing, and data governance. You will bridge the gap between business stakeholders, operations, technology teams, and data engineering to ensure data accuracy, optimal pipeline design, compliance, and actionable business intelligence. What you’ll do • Data Domain Expertise & Data Flow Architecture • Serve as the principal SME for Client Master Data, Account Hierarchies, Account Onboarding/Offboarding, KYC/Entity reference data, and downstream data flows . • Map, document, and maintain end-to-end data lineage and data flow diagrams from source ingestion (CRM, core banking, client onboarding systems) through operational data stores, data lakes/warehouses, to downstream reporting and regulatory consumers. • Identify data bottlenecks, discrepancies, latency issues, and breakage points across distributed applications and data pipelines. • Advanced Data Analysis & SQL Engineering • Write complex, high-performance SQL queries, stored procedures, CTEs, and window functions across relational and distributed databases (e.g., Oracle, PostgreSQL, Snowflake, Teradata) to perform data discovery, reconciliation, profiling, and root-cause analysis. • Conduct comprehensive data profiling, variance analysis, gap analysis, and trend identification to validate system migrations and data feed integrity. • Define and implement automated data quality rules, validation scripts, and reconciliation frameworks. • Business Analysis & Stakeholder Management • Lead requirement gathering sessions with business leaders, compliance teams, operations, and product managers; translate ambiguous business problems into precise technical specifications, BRDs (Business Requirement Documents), and FRDs (Functional Requirement Documents). • Define user stories, acceptance criteria, and data dictionary/mapping specifications for engineering and scrum teams in an Agile/Scrum environment. • Lead User Acceptance Testing (UAT) planning, create complex data test cases, validate data cutover strategies, and oversee test execution. • Data Governance, Metadata & Quality • Partner with Data Governance teams to ensure compliance with enterprise data standards, data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA), and financial regulatory reporting frameworks (e.g., BCBS 239, Reg reporting). • Define critical data elements (CDEs), data ownership models, business glossaries, and metadata catalogs for the Client and Account data domains. What we’ll need from you • Total Experience: 10+ years of experience as a Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Data SME, or Technical Data Consultant in enterprise environments (preferably Financial Services, Banking, FinTech, or Consulting). • Technical Mastery (SQL): Expert-level proficiency in SQL (complex joins, aggregations, window functions, query optimization, indexing, and debugging data pipelines). • Domain Knowledge: In-depth, hands-on domain expertise in Client & Account Data Models , including: • Client hierarchy management (Ultimate Parent, Immediate Parent, Subsidiary levels). • Account lifecycles (Creation, Maintenance, Settlement/Clearing, Status Transitions, Closure). • Counterparty reference data, Party master data, Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) handling. • Data Flow & Modeling: Proven track record in reverse-engineering data models, creating Entity-Relationship (ER) diagrams, and mapping source-to-target data interfaces (STTM). • Tools & Methodologies: • Proficiency in Agile/Scrum delivery models and tools (Jira, Confluence). • Experience with BI and Data Visualization platforms (Tableau, Power BI, Looker, or Qlik). • Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with proven ability to influence senior business executives and technical leads alike. What we can offer you We work hard to have a positive financial and social impact on the communities we serve. In turn, we put our employees first and provide the best-in-class benefits they need to be well, live well and save well. By joining Citi Belfast, you will not only be part of a business casual workplace with a hybrid working model (up to 2 days working at home per week), but also receive a competitive base salary (which is annually reviewed), and enjoy a whole host of additional benefits such as: • Generous holiday allowance starting at 27 days plus bank holidays; increasing with tenure • A discretional annual performance related bonus • Private medical insurance packages to suit your personal circumstances • Employee Assistance Program • Pension Plan • Paid Parental Leave • Special discounts for employees, family, and friends • Access to an array of learning and development resources Alongside these benefits Citi is committed to ensuring our workplace is where everyone feels comfortable coming to work as their whole self every day.  We want the best talent around the world to be energized to join us, motivated to stay, and empowered to thrive. Sounds like Citi has everything you need? Then apply to discover the true extent of your capabilities. #LI-NG4 ------------------------------------------------------ Job Family Group: Technology ------------------------------------------------------ Job Family: Applications Development ------------------------------------------------------ Time Type: Full time ------------------------------------------------------ Most Relevant Skills Please see the requirements listed above. ------------------------------------------------------ Other Relevant Skills For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter. ------------------------------------------------------ Citi is an equ