HEAD OF DATA & ANALYTICS

Media24; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 900 000 - 1 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media company in South Africa is seeking a Head of Data and Analytics to lead their technology team in data-driven transformation. This strategic leadership role requires an exceptional professional to architect a comprehensive data strategy and build analytics capabilities. Candidates should have 8-12 years in data analytics with at least 3 years in management roles. Strong proficiency in SQL, Python, and experience with cloud technologies are essential. Join us in driving data-informed decision-making across the organization.

Qualifications

• 8-12 years of progressive experience in data analytics, data science, or related roles.
• Minimum 3 years in senior leadership or management positions.
• Proven track record of scaling analytics teams and delivering insights.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute data and analytics strategy.
• Lead the design and implementation of scalable data infrastructure.
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing data team.
• Oversee development of data pipelines and analytics platforms.

Skills

SQL

Python/R

Statistical analysis

Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Data modeling

Data warehousing

ETL/ELT processes

Analytics and visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI, Looker)

Education

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

Tools

A/B testing

MLOps practices

Job description

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 organizations

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