Remote Head of Data Science - AI & Machine Learning

Placements24; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation

Stock options

Remote work

Professional development budget

Health benefits

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Head of Data Science to steer strategy and build a world-class team in a fully remote role within South Africa. You will lead research, drive AI solutions, and shape data-driven decisions across the business.

The ideal candidate has a PhD or MSc with 10+ years in data science, strong leadership, and deep knowledge of ML, big data, and cloud platforms. This executive role offers a generous stock option package and remote-first flexibility.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master1s in Data Science, CS, Statistics, Mathematics, or related quantitative field.
• 10+ years in data science and ML, with 4+ years in leadership.
• Proven track record leading data science projects and delivering AI solutions.
• Expertise in ML algorithms, statistical modeling, and data mining.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Experience with Spark, Hadoop and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong leadership, communication, and mentoring skills.
• Remote work capability and strategic thinking for research roadmaps & budgets.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the data science strategy and roadmap.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of data scientists and ML engineers.
• Oversee end-to-end development and deployment of AI/ML models from data ingestion to production.
• Drive innovation in NLP, CV, and RL within the organization.
• Ensure ethical and responsible AI and data science practices.
• Collaborate with product, engineering, and business teams on data-driven solutions.
• Establish best practices for data management, model validation, and monitoring.
• Stay abreast of AI and big data advancements and guide infrastructure decisions.
• Communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Data science leadership

Python

R

Communication

Remote leadership

Education

Ph.D./Master1s in a quantitative field

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in advanced analytics and AI solutions, is looking for a highly accomplished Head of Data Science to lead their cutting-edge research and development efforts. This is a fully remote position, offering the unique opportunity to work from any location within South Africa. You will be responsible for defining the company's data science strategy, building and mentoring a world-class team of data scientists and ML engineers, and driving the development of innovative AI and machine learning models. The ideal candidate possesses a deep expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, big data technologies, and a proven track record of translating complex data into actionable business insights. This remote‑first role demands exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and the ability to foster a collaborative and innovative research environment. You will be instrumental in pushing the boundaries of AI and shaping the future of data‑driven decision‑making for our client.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the overarching data science strategy and roadmap, aligning with company objectives.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a high‑performing team of data scientists, machine learning engineers, and analysts.
• Oversee the end‑to‑end development and deployment of AI and machine learning models, from data ingestion to production.
• Drive innovation in areas such as predictive analytics, natural language processing, computer vision, and reinforcement learning.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible application of AI and data science principles.
• Collaborate with product, engineering, and business teams to identify opportunities for data‑driven solutions.
• Establish best practices for data management, model validation, and performance monitoring.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI, machine learning, and big data technologies.
• Manage the data science infrastructure and tooling, ensuring scalability and efficiency.
• Communicate complex findings and insights clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in data science and machine learning, with at least 4 years in a leadership or management role.
• Proven track record of leading successful data science projects and delivering impactful AI solutions.
• Expertise in a wide range of machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling, and data mining techniques.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit‑learn).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and mentoring skills.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently and thrive in a remote, collaborative environment.
• Experience in defining and managing research roadmaps and budgets.

Benefits

• Highly attractive executive compensation package including salary, bonus, and significant stock options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous paid time off and fully remote work flexibility.
• Annual budget for professional development, conferences, and further education.
• Opportunity to lead groundbreaking AI research and development.
• A stimulating and collaborative remote work environment.
• Direct influence on the company's technological direction and innovation.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art tools and computing resources.
• Focus on work‑life balance and employee well‑being.
• Work from anywhere within South Africa.