Operations Specialist- Data Quality Management -AVP

Employer:             DWS Group

Title:                      Operations Specialist- Data Quality Management -AVP

Location:               Madrid

Job Code:              placeholder for LinkedIn job wrapping

About DWS:

Today, markets face a whole new set of pressures – but also a whole lot of opportunity too. Opportunity to innovate differently. Opportunity to invest responsibly. And opportunity to make change.

Join us at DWS, and you can be part of an industry-leading firm with a global presence. You can lead ambitious opportunities and shape the future of investing. You can support our clients, local communities, and the environment.

We’re looking for creative thinkers and innovators to join us as the world continues to transform. As whole markets change, one thing remains clear; our people always work together to capture the opportunities of tomorrow.

As investors on behalf of our clients, it is our role to find investment solutions. Ensuring the best possible foundation for our clients’ financial future. And in return, we’ll give you the support and platform to develop new skills, make an impact and work alongside some of the industry’s greatest thought leaders. This is your chance to achieve your goals and lead an extraordinary career.

This is your chance to invest in your future.

Read more about DWS and who we are here.

Team / division overview

The COO Division is a key enabler for DWS and is integral to the future success of the company by delivering world-class services across a set of key functions. It covers essential Technology and Operations capabilities to deliver a platform which is efficient, scalable, resilient and agile.

The Data Quality Management (DQM) function sits at the core of DWS’s data management framework, ensuring the accuracy, completeness, integrity and timeliness of reference and issuer data used across the organisation. The role forms part of the Smart Middle Office, which brings together deep operational expertise, technology enablement and practical AI capability to make processes more scalable, controlled and insight-driven. The team partners closely with global stakeholders including Operations, Portfolio Management, Trading, Compliance, IGM and Technology to support both day‑to‑day business operations (Run the Bank) and strategic initiatives (Change the Bank).

As part of this agenda, the successful candidate will be expected to actively contribute to automation, AI-enabled process improvement, data-driven controls and smart workflow design, while ensuring that operational risk, auditability and sound governance remain embedded in everything the team delivers.

Your responsibilities –

As our Operations Specialist- Data Quality Management -AVP you will:

• Own and continuously strengthen the DQM (Data Quality Management) control environment to safeguard data accuracy and align with evolving market standards. Ensure authoritative sourcing and timely maintenance of Security Master reference and time series data, pricing, and standard settlement instructions to minimize exceptions. Use trend monitoring and root-cause analysis to prevent recurring issues and drive targeted control and technology enhancements.
• Serve as the go-to escalation point for complex data quality and operational challenges - leading rigorous deep-dive investigations, pinpointing root causes, and driving swift, sustainable remediation in partnership with internal teams, Technology, and external vendors.
• Partner closely with global stakeholders (Front Office, IT, Audit, Compliance, etc.) to deliver high-quality data solutions, meet regulatory expectations, and stay tightly aligned to business priorities.
• Lead the management and enhancement of data quality control frameworks - owning risk identification, control execution, KRI/KPI monitoring, and periodic recertifications of KOP/KODs - to strengthen governance, improve transparency, and ensure ongoing audit readiness.
• Champion operational excellence and continuous improvement across RTB (Run the Bank) and CTB (Change the Bank) activity by identifying inefficiencies and redundancies, unlocking automation opportunities, and contributing to platform enhancements with Technology - while further maturing the wider data management framework.
• Oversee the end-to-end security setup lifecycle and its downstream data impacts - ensuring potential issues are proactively surfaced, assessed, and mitigated across systems and processes before they affect clients or the business.
• Contribute to the Smart Middle Office agenda by identifying opportunities to apply AI, machine learning, workflow automation and data analytics to reduce manual intervention, improve exception management, strengthen predictive controls and enhance operational transparency.
• Translate operational pain points into clear automation or AI use cases, working with Technology, transformation partners and operational SMEs to shape practical solutions that are controlled, scalable and aligned to business priorities.
• Operate across multiple asset classes (Equities, Fixed Income, Derivatives, and Cash products), spanning Security Master maintenance, market pricing updates, new-issue setup validation, and upkeep of standard settlement instructions (SSIs). Partner with Front Office, Operations (Transaction Processing, Reconciliations, Client Onboarding), external data vendors (Bloomberg, LSEG, ICE), and Technology to investigate issues, identify root causes, and deliver lasting remediation.

We are looking for:   

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of experience in financial services, with strong expertise in Reference Data and Data Quality Management.
• Deep understanding of Security Master data, market pricing, and the end-to-end data lifecycle from trade execution through settlement.
• Hands-on experience working with market data vendors such as Bloomberg, LSEG (Refinitiv), or ICE
• Solid knowledge of financial instruments across asset classes and their impact on valuation, risk, and analytics.
• Proven ability to untangle complex data issues, perform root-cause analysis, and drive resolution end-to-end with minimal oversight.
• Comfortable operating in a global, matrix environment—communicating clearly, influencing stakeholders, and building strong partnerships.
• Strong understanding of risk, controls, and data governance frameworks, with an audit-ready mindset.
• Experience with platforms such as Aladdin, Eagle PACE, or similar data/operations systems is a plus.
• Strong analytical skillset, with advanced Excel capabilities and practical data analysis techniques.
• Practical understanding of AI, automation and data analytics concepts, with the ability to identify meaningful use cases in an Operations environment and partner with Technology to deliver them responsibly.
• Experience with process automation, workflow design, digital tooling, Python, Power Automate, SQL, data visualisation tools or similar technologies would be highly beneficial.
• Continuous improvement mindset with focus on operational efficiency and scalability.
• Proven ability to leverage AI tools to enhance productivity, optimise workflows to solve business problems, while applying critical judgment to ensure responsible and ethical use of data and AI outputs.
• Ability to bridge operational subject matter expertise with technology and AI teams, translating business requirements into pragmatic, controlled and measurable solutions.

What we’ll offer you:

At DWS we’re serious about diversity, equity and creating an inclusive culture where colleagues can be themselves and it’s important to us that you enjoy coming to work - feeling healthy, happy and rewarded. At DWS, you’ll have access to a range of benefits which you can choose from to create a personalised plan unique to your lifestyle. Whether you’re interested in healthcare, company perks, or are thinking about your retirement plan, there’s something for everyone.

DWS’ Hybrid Working model is designed to find the right balance between in-person collaboration and engagement in the office, which is core to our working culture, and working from home. Each business group varies on the split between time spent in the office and at home, but this will be discussed and made clear as part of your application and interview process. We will continue to review and evolve our working environments and methods to ensure that we are working in the best way possible for our people.

If you require any adjustments or changes to be made to the interview process for any reason including, or related to a disability or long-term health condition, then please contact your recruiter and let them know what assistance you may need. Examples of adjustments include providing a change to the format of the interview, or providing assistance when at the DWS office. This will not affect your application and your recruitment team will discuss options with you

We at DWS are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, one that embraces dialogue and diverse views, and treats everyone fairly to drive a high-performance culture. The value we create for our clients and investors is based on our ability to bring together various perspectives from all over the world and from different backgrounds. It is our experience that teams perform better and deliver improved outcomes when they are able to incorporate a wide range of perspectives. We call this #ConnectingTheDots.