Decision Science Lead

Capitec; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Capitec seeks an experienced analytics leader to head a Decision Science team, turning data into decisions that shape lending and risk strategy across the business. You will guide modelling, validation, and the use of insights to inform strategic choices with real business impact.

You'll lead people, set direction, and ensure production-ready outputs while partnering across functions to drive value and growth.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in analytical roles with at least 3 years in leadership
• Honours degree in Mathematics or Statistics; Masters preferred
• Hands-on predictive modelling and data mining with large relational databases
• Programming: SAS, SQL, R or Python
• Understanding of credit lifecycle and retail credit environment
• Strong stakeholder relationship management and clear communication
• Project management in a fast-moving environment
• People management skills and ability to develop others

Responsibilities

• Lead and prioritize the Decision Science team and ensure aligned delivery
• Translate business data into risk and credit insights for strategy
• Validate models and ensure production-ready quality
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business
• Coach and develop team capability and growth
• Drive process improvements and reliability of outputs

Skills

Leadership

People management

Stakeholder management

Analytics leadership

Project management

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Honours in Mathematics or Statistics

Masters preferred

Tools

SAS

SQL

R

Python

Job description

Lead the team that turns data into decisions.

Good data science changes outcomes. Great data science leadership multiplies them. We're looking for an experienced analytical leader to head up a Decision Science team — someone who can set direction, develop people and make sure our models and analysis stay sharp, relevant and tied to real business impact. This role exists because the quality of our decisions depends on the quality of our team, and we need someone who takes both seriously.

What you'll do:

• Lead a team of decision scientists — setting priorities, reviewing work and making sure delivery is consistent, accurate and aligned to business goals
• Translate complex business data into clear risk and credit insights that inform strategy at the highest levels of the organisation
• Own the quality of your team's analytical output — validating models, maintaining standards and making sure what goes into production can be trusted
• Build strong working relationships with stakeholders across the business, turning their questions into well-scoped analytical solutions
• Develop your people — coaching for technical growth, building capability and creating an environment where the team does their best work
• Drive continuous improvement in how we work, making our processes smarter and our outputs more reliable over time

Our Decision Science team:

We work at the centre of how we manage credit and risk — two of the most consequential areas in our business. Our team builds the models and analysis that shape lending decisions, inform risk strategy and support millions of client interactions every year. We work with large, complex datasets, modern tooling and a business that genuinely uses what we produce. The scale is real. So is the impact.

Why this role is different:

This isn't a management role that keeps the lights on. It's a leadership role that shapes how we think. You'll have direct influence over the models, methods and standards that drive credit and risk decisions across the business. You'll sit at the point where technical rigour meets strategic thinking — and you'll have the authority to push both. Our culture values straight talk, intellectual honesty and leaders who develop others, not just deliver outputs. If you want a role where your judgment and your team both grow, this is it.

What we're looking for:

• More than 6 years' experience in an analytical or quantitative science role, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management position
• An Honours degree in Mathematics or Statistics as a minimum — a Master's degree is preferred
• Solid hands-on experience with predictive modelling, data mining and working with large relational databases
• Programming ability in at least one of the following: SAS, SQL, R or Python
• A strong understanding of the credit lifecycle and the retail credit environment
• Proven ability to manage stakeholder relationships — translating technical findings into language that drives decisions
• Working knowledge of project management principles and the ability to deliver in a fast-moving environment
• Sharp people management skills — you know how to build trust, give honest feedback and get the best out of a team
• Strong analytical, communication and planning skills
• Experience in a retail banking or credit environment is a strong advantage

Conditions of employment:

• Clear criminal and credit record

We are committed to diversity, and applications to this position will strictly be considered in support of our employment equity goals.

Ready to lead where it counts?

If you've spent years mastering the science and you're ready to lead others through it — we'd like to meet you.