Head Of Data & Analytics

Media24 Ltd; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media company in Cape Town seeks a Head of Data and Analytics to lead their data-driven transformation. This strategic role involves developing data strategies, leading a team of analysts and data scientists, and driving data-informed decision-making across the organization. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in data analytics and strong leadership skills, along with a proven track record in scaling analytics capabilities.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of progressive experience in data analytics or related roles.
• Minimum 3 years in senior leadership or management positions.
• Proven track record of scaling analytics teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a data and analytics strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead the design and implementation of scalable data infrastructure.
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing analytics team.

Skills

SQL

Python

R

Statistical analysis

Data modeling

Data warehousing

ETL/ELT processes

A/B testing

Machine learning frameworks

Education

Honours degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Tableau

Power BI

Looker

Job description

Job title: Head Of Data & Analytics
Job Location: Western Cape, Cape Town
Deadline: November 13, 2025

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ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Data and Analytics to join our technology team and lead our data-driven transformation. Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, this is a strategic leadership role for a visionary professional who will architect and execute a comprehensive data strategy, build class‑leading analytics capabilities, and drive data‑informed decision‑making across the entire organization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a forward‑thinking data and analytics strategy aligned with business objectives and engineering excellence.
• Lead the design and implementation of scalable data infrastructure supporting real‑time analytics and machine learning initiatives.
• Partner closely with engineering leadership to embed analytics into product development and operational workflows.
• Champion data governance, quality standards, and security protocols across all data initiatives.
• Provide insights to the business to drive revenue opportunities and product development.

Team Development & Management

• Build, lead, and mentor a high‑performing team of data scientists, analysts, and data engineers.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and analytical excellence.
• Establish clear career development pathways and performance frameworks for team members.
• Collaborate with HR to attract top‑tier analytics talent in a competitive market.

Technical Excellence

• Oversee the development of robust data pipelines, warehouses, and analytics platforms.
• Drive the adoption of advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI capabilities.
• Ensure seamless integration between data systems and engineering infrastructure.
• Lead evaluation and implementation of cutting‑edge analytics tools and technologies.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Translate complex analytical insights into actionable business recommendations for senior leadership.
• Partner with product, engineering, and business teams to identify and prioritise high‑impact analytics opportunities.
• Present data‑driven insights and strategic recommendations to executive stakeholders and board members.
• Establish analytics KPIs and metrics that align with organisational goals.

Required Qualifications, Experience and Competencies

Education & Experience

• Honours degree (or higher) in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or related quantitative field.
• 8–12 years of progressive experience in data analytics, data science, or related technical roles.
• Minimum 3 years in senior leadership or management positions, preferably within engineering or technology organisations.
• Proven track record of successfully scaling analytics teams and delivering business‑critical insights.

Technical Expertise

• Strong proficiency in SQL, Python / R, and statistical analysis.
• Deep experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and modern data stack technologies.
• Strong background in data modeling, data warehousing, and ETL / ELT processes.
• Hands‑on experience with analytics and visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI, Looker, etc.).
• Knowledge of machine learning frameworks and MLOps practices.
• Understanding of software development lifecycles and engineering best practices.
• Experience with A / B testing, experimentation frameworks, and causal inference.
• Previous experience building analytics capabilities from the ground up.

Leadership & Communication

• Exceptional leadership skills with demonstrated ability to inspire and manage technical teams.
• Outstanding communication abilities to present complex insights to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen.
• Experience managing budgets, vendor relationships, and cross‑functional initiatives.
• Proven ability to drive cultural change and promote data literacy across organisations.