Head of Education Analytics & Data Science

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Bonuses based on performance

Health insurance

Learning & development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to spearhead educational analytics initiatives in Cape Town. You will lead a team of data scientists and analysts, building predictive models and translating insights into product improvements for student outcomes.

The role requires 7+ years in data science with leadership experience, strong ML, statistical modeling, and proficiency in Python/R, SQL, and visualization tools. Full-time on-site position with growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in data science with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Proven expertise in statistical modeling, ML algorithms, and experimental design.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow or PyTorch.
• Strong SQL skills and experience with Spark/Hadoop and data visualization tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of advanced analytical models.
• Develop predictive models for student outcomes and identify at‑risk students.
• Collaborate with product, engineering, and education experts to translate findings into product improvements.
• Mentor a team of data scientists and analysts; drive professional development.
• Define KPIs and establish robust reporting for educational data.
• Stay current with data science advances and apply relevant methods.
• Ensure data quality, integrity, and security across projects.
• Communicate complex results clearly with visualizations for stakeholders.

Skills

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Leadership

Python / R

SQL

Data visualization

Big data tools

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in a quantitative field

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Tableau

Power BI

Matplotlib

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to spearhead educational analytics initiatives in Cape Town. You will lead a team of data scientists and analysts, building predictive models and translating insights into product improvements for student outcomes.

The role requires 7+ years in data science with leadership experience, strong ML, statistical modeling, and proficiency in Python/R, SQL, and visualization tools. Full-time on-site position with growth opportunities.