Data Science Manager

Kuda; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial technology company is looking for a Data Science Manager to lead a team in developing machine learning models for credit scoring, fraud detection, and more. The role requires at least 6 years of experience in data science, including leadership in project management. This position offers a supportive work environment and multiple employee benefits, including a focus on work-life balance.

Benefits

Pension

Career Development & growth

Competitive annual leave plus bank holidays

Medical insurance

Employee wellness app

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years in data science, with at least 2 years in a leadership role managing teams and projects.
• Strong knowledge of cloud environments and services.

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a team of data scientists, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
• Lead the design, development, and deployment of machine learning models for credit scoring, fraud detection, and collections.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to extract actionable insights and inform business strategies.

Skills

Python

SQL

Machine learning libraries

Cloud environments

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field

Job description

Kuda is a money app for Africans on a mission to make financial services accessible, affordable and rewarding for every African on the planet.

We're a tribe of passionate and diverse people who dreamed of building an inclusive money app that Africans would love so it's only right that we ended up with the name ‘Kuda' which means ‘love' in Shona, a language spoken in the southern part of Africa.

We're giving Africans around the world a better alternative to traditional finance by delivering money transfers, smart budgeting and instant access to credit through digital devices.

We've raised over $90 million from some of the world's most respected institutional investors, and we're rolling out our game-changing services globally from our offices in Nigeria, South Africa, and the UK.

Role Overview

As the Data Science Manager at Kuda, you will be responsible for leading a dynamic team of data scientists to develop and deploy machine learning models that drive critical business outcomes across the entire credit lifecycle. Your team will focus on building solutions for credit scoring, fraud detection, and collections, while also supporting various other business functions by providing data-driven insights and predictive capabilities.

You will work with cutting-edge technologies in data science and machine learning, with an emphasis on building scalable, real-time decisioning systems that are integrated into our product offerings. This means that your models will not only be developed but also put into production in a way that supports live, real-time decisions, enhancing Kuda's ability to serve customers with speed and precision.

Your role will require collaboration across multiple cross-functional teams, including product, business, technology, and data teams, ensuring that all teams are aligned to deliver value through innovative, data-driven solutions. As a manager, you'll foster an environment of continuous learning and improvement, ensuring that your team stays ahead of the curve in terms of industry trends, emerging technologies, and the most effective methodologies in the field of data science.

Key to your success will be your ability to translate business challenges into data-driven solutions while balancing technical execution with strategic vision. Your leadership will help scale Kuda's impact, bringing high-quality, machine learning-based credit solutions to millions of customers across Nigeria and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a team of data scientists, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment
• Model Development: Lead the design, development, and deployment of machine learning models for credit scoring, fraud detection, and collections
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product, engineering, and compliance teams to integrate models into production systems
• Data Analysis: Analyze large, complex datasets to extract actionable insights and inform business strategies
• Model Monitoring: Oversee the performance of deployed models, ensuring they meet business objectives and regulatory standards
• Stakeholder Communication: Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership and other stakeholders
• Continuous Improvement: Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies to continuously enhance model performance and team capabilities
  
  

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field
• Experience: Minimum of 6 years in data science, with at least 2 years in a leadership role managing teams and projects
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Python, SQL, and machine learning libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch). Strong knowledge of cloud environments and services (AWS, Google Cloud)
• Domain Knowledge: Experience in credit risk modeling, fraud detection, or financial services is highly desirable
• Leadership: Strong ability to lead teams, manage projects, and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Regulatory Awareness: Understanding of financial regulations and compliance standards, particularly in the Nigerian context.
  
  

Benefits

Why join Kuda?

At Kuda, our people are the heart of our business, so we prioritize your welfare. We offer a wide range of competitive benefits in areas including but not limited to:

A great and upbeat work environment populated by a multinational team

Pension

Career Development & growth

Competitive annual leave plus bank holidays

Competitive paid time off (Parental, Moving day, Birthday, Study leave etc)

Group life insurance

Medical insurance

Well-fare package (Wedding, Compassionate and etc)

Perkbox

️Goalr - employee wellness app

Award winning L&D training

We are advocates of work-life balance, working in a hybrid in office schedule

Kuda is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity and anyone seeking employment at Kuda is considered based on merit, qualifications, competence and talent.

We don't regard colour, religion, race, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, citizenship, sex, marital or family status, disability, gender, or any other legally protected status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.