HEAD OF DATA & ANALYTICS

Media24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media company in Africa is seeking a Head of Data and Analytics to lead data-driven transformation efforts. This strategic role involves overseeing the development of data infrastructure and advanced analytics capabilities while fostering a culture of innovation. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in data analytics, proven leadership skills, and strong technical expertise in tools like SQL and Python.

Qualifications

• 8-12 years of experience in data analytics or related technical roles.
• Minimum 3 years in senior leadership positions, preferably in technology.
• Strong proficiency in SQL and Python/R.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a data and analytics strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead design and implementation of scalable data infrastructure.
• Champion data governance and quality standards.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Data analysis

Team building

Education

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

Tools

SQL

Python/R

Tableau

Power BI

Looker

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

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
• 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 organizations

Given the employment equity policy of Media24, preference will be given to suitable candidates from the designated groups

About Media24

Media24 is a leading media company in Africa with interests in newspapers, magazines, digitalpublishing, printing, distribution, book publishing, online services and ecommerce. It is part of Naspers, a multinational group ofmedia and ecommerce platforms.