Data Science and Analytics Manager

Pbt Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

PBT Group seeks a strategic Data Science and Analytics Manager to spearhead their data-driven transformation in Johannesburg. This pivotal role involves leading a high-performing team to develop data capabilities, implement analytics solutions, and align data initiatives with business strategy, ensuring insightful reporting and compliance with data governance standards.

Qualifications

• 6-8 years' experience leading data science projects.
• At least 5 years in a people management role.
• Certifications in Data Science, Machine Learning, and Cloud Platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the enterprise-wide data science and analytics strategy.
• Establish and lead a multidisciplinary team of Data Scientists and Reporting Analysts.
• Translate analytical results into actionable business insights.

Skills

Leadership

Data Science

Machine Learning

Operational Analytics

Statistical Modelling

Data Visualisation

Business Storytelling

Education

Honours, Master's, or PhD in Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering

Tools

Python

R

SQL

Jupyter Notebooks

Job description

PBT Group is seeking an experienced and strategic Data Science and Analytics Manager to lead its data-driven transformation journey.

This individual will play a pivotal role in developing long-term data science capabilities, building a high-performing team, and ensuring the successful implementation of advanced analytics solutions across the business.

The role demands a strong leader with a deep understanding of data science, machine learning, and operational analytics, along with the ability to align technical initiatives to broader business strategy.

Key Responsibilities :

Data Science Strategy & Implementation

Lead the implementation of the enterprise-wide data science and analytics strategy in alignment with business goals.

Identify opportunities for process improvements, automation, and enhanced insights through analytics.

Collaborate with the General Manager : Data Management and Analytics to define data-specific requirements and strategic goals.

Guide the development of conceptual models, data pipelines, and advanced analytics solutions that drive business performance.

Oversee the full data science lifecycle from data ingestion to model production and post-deployment monitoring.

Translate complex analytical results into clear, actionable business insights.

Team Leadership & Capability Building

Establish and lead a multidisciplinary team of Data Scientists and Reporting Analysts.

Foster a collaborative, innovative culture focused on high-impact data work and continuous improvement.

Conduct technical reviews, provide mentorship, and ensure adherence to best practices in data science methodologies.

Work closely with the Data Engineering team to facilitate robust data ingestion and transformation processes.

Identify and integrate relevant third-party data sources, including non-traditional inputs such as social media.

Drive feature engineering, model validation, and implementation of machine learning algorithms and statistical techniques.

Business Engagement & Reporting

Partner with key stakeholders to identify strategic data needs and deliver impactful solutions.

Provide concise, insight-driven reporting with appropriate visualisations and business commentary.

Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership in a clear, data-informed manner.

Implement controls and improvements in reporting processes to ensure efficiency and accuracy.

Best Practices, Compliance & Risk Management

Stay abreast of industry trends and innovations in data science and analytics.

Benchmark internal processes against best practices to identify and close performance gaps.

Ensure compliance with relevant data governance standards, privacy regulations, and organisational policies.

Support budgeting and financial planning processes for the data science function.

Manage expenditure and resources effectively to maximise return on investment.

Use analytics to identify business improvement opportunities that support financial growth.

Qualifications : Essential :

Honours, Master's, or PhD in Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.

Relevant certifications in Data Science, Machine Learning, Python, Cloud Platforms (Microsoft, AWS), or Big Data technologies.

Agile / Project Management certifications such as Scrum or Prince2.

Experience & Skills :

6–8 years' experience leading data science projects, with at least 5 years in a people management role.

Proficient in Python or R, SQL, Jupyter Notebooks, and common ML frameworks.

Strong background in managing large-scale, end-to-end analytics or AI / ML implementations.

Deep understanding of cloud-based data platforms, large datasets, and data pipelines.

Advanced skills in statistical modelling, feature engineering, data visualisation, and business storytelling.

Preferred :

Familiarity with healthcare data, policies, and regulatory frameworks.

Knowledge of Hadoop, Spark, Kafka, and other big data technologies.

This role presents a unique opportunity to drive high-value innovation through data and make a lasting impact by embedding data science into the core of business operations.

• In order to comply with the POPI Act, for future career opportunities, we require your permission to maintain your personal details on our database.

By completing and returning this form you give PBT your consent

• If you have not received any feedback after 2 weeks, please consider you application as unsuccessful.

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