Data Scientist

FirstRand group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in Johannesburg seeks a quantitative analyst to drive marketing analytics and campaign optimization. The role involves building predictive models, collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring compliance within data governance. Ideal candidates possess robust analytical skills, communicate effectively, and have substantial experience in data science or marketing analytics.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in analytics, ideally in CVM or marketing insights.
• Strong expertise in statistical modelling and data manipulation.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Drive campaign effectiveness using advanced statistical techniques.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define data needs for marketing.
• Mentor junior analysts and contribute to team growth.

Skills

Data manipulation

Statistical modelling

Campaign analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics

Bachelor’s degree in Statistics

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science

Tools

SAS

Python

SQL

Job description

To plan, build, optimise and implement innovative quantitative analytical methodologies, procedures, products and advanced

mathematical models that provide analytical support and interpret insights, using advanced analytics technologies, to address business opportunities and problems and implement business strategy.

Campaign & Marketing Analytics :

• Collaborate with stakeholders to define data needs and KPIs for marketing and CVM initiatives.
• Drive campaign effectiveness by analysing response, conversion, uplift, and ROI using advanced statistical techniques.
• Build predictive models (e.g., churn, propensity, cross-sell) to support campaign targeting and optimization.
• Translate business questions into data-driven hypotheses and test strategies to guide customer communication.
• Monitor campaign performance and recommend enhancements through deep dive analytics and post-campaign reviews.
• Lead development of reusable analytical tools and frameworks to scale insight delivery.

Insights & Strategy

• Use data to identify key behavioural trends, product adoption journeys, and segment performance.
• Support strategy development by identifying growth opportunities, product gaps, and retention risks.
• Present insights in clear, compelling ways through dashboards, storytelling, and data visualisation.
• Guide business decisions with data-led recommendations that balance value and customer needs.

Team & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Act as a subject matter expert in analytics and modelling for the CVM and marketing teams.
• Partner with product owners, campaign managers, and fellow analysts to co-create customer strategies.
• Mentor junior analysts, review their work, and help raise the quality and impact of outputs across the team.
• Contribute to a culture of knowledge-sharing, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure ethical use of customer data and full compliance with privacy legislation and internal policies.
• Maintain documentation for models, processes, and campaign logic to ensure transparency and audit readiness.
• Escalate data quality or privacy concerns promptly and participate in remediation efforts.

What You Bring

• Strong experience in analytics roles within marketing, CVM, or customer strategy environments.
• Expertise in data manipulation, statistical modelling, and campaign analysis.
• Proficiency in tools like SAS, Python, SQL, or similar.
• Solid understanding of data governance, privacy, and compliance best practices.
• Proven ability to communicate technical ideas to non-technical audiences.
• A collaborative mindset and eagerness to contribute to team growth and development.
• 5–8 years of experience in a data analytics, data science, or marketing insights role—ideally within customer strategy, CVM, or campaign environments.
• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a quantitative field such as Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Actuarial Science, or a related discipline.

post

LI-LH1

Take note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below.

13 / 07 / 25

All appointments will be made in line with FirstRand Group’s Employment Equity plan. The Bank supports the recruitment and advancement of individuals with disabilities. In order for us to fulfill this purpose, candidates can disclose their disability information on a voluntary basis. The Bank will keep this information confidential unless we are required by law to disclose this information to other parties.