Lead Data Scientist

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 1,300,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Generous PTO

Remote work

Bonuses

Stock options

Job summary

Placements24 in Benoni, Gauteng seeks a Lead Data Scientist to spearhead data initiatives and mentor a team of data scientists. You will shape the data strategy, translate business challenges into analytical solutions, and drive value through ML and advanced analytics.

You will work with stakeholders across departments, build data pipelines, design experiments, and stay on the cutting edge of data science methodologies to ensure ethical AI use.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in a quantitative field.
• 7+ years in data science with at least 2 in a leadership/mentorship role.
• Proven track record deploying ML models in production.
• Expertise in statistical modeling, ML algorithms, and experimental design.
• Proficient in Python or R and libraries such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, pandas.
• Strong SQL skills, plus Spark/Hadoop experience.
• Data visualization using Matplotlib/Seaborn/Tableau/Power BI.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) and MLOps is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists to drive innovation.
• Define and execute the company's data science strategy.
• Develop, deploy, and monitor ML models addressing business needs.
• Perform advanced statistical analysis to derive actionable insights.
• Collaborate with marketing, operations, and product teams on data needs.
• Design and manage experiments including A/B tests to validate hypotheses.
• Clearly communicate complex results to diverse audiences.
• Build and maintain data pipelines for training and deployment.
• Stay ahead of advances in data science and AI, adopting where appropriate.
• Ensure ethical and responsible use of data and AI models.

Skills

Leadership

Data storytelling

Mentorship

Python

R

SQL

Spark

Hadoop

Machine learning

Statistical modeling

A/B testing

Communication

Cloud platforms

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in a quantitative field

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

pandas

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing analytics firm, is seeking an accomplished Lead Data Scientist to spearhead their data science initiatives in Benoni, Gauteng . This pivotal role involves leading a team of data scientists, defining the strategic direction for data-driven insights, and translating complex business challenges into actionable analytical solutions. You will be instrumental in leveraging machine learning, statistical modeling, and advanced analytics to drive significant business value. The ideal candidate possesses a strong blend of technical expertise, leadership acumen, and a passion for uncovering hidden patterns within large datasets. This is an exciting chance to influence decision‑making at the highest levels and to innovate within a dynamic, forward‑thinking company. We are committed to fostering an environment where cutting‑edge research and practical application of data science converge to solve real‑world problems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists, fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
• Define and execute the company's data science strategy, aligning it with overall business objectives.
• Develop, implement, and deploy sophisticated machine learning models and algorithms to address business needs.
• Conduct in-depth statistical analysis and interpret complex data to derive meaningful insights and actionable recommendations.
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders across various departments, including marketing, operations, and product development, to understand their data requirements and challenges.
• Design and manage A/B tests and other experimental frameworks to validate hypotheses and measure the impact of interventions.
• Communicate complex analytical findings and recommendations clearly and concisely to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Build and maintain data pipelines for model training, evaluation, and deployment.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, evaluating and incorporating new techniques where appropriate.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible use of data and AI models.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in data science, with at least 2 years in a leadership or mentorship role.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and deploying machine learning models in production environments.
• Expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning), and experimental design.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, pandas).
• Strong experience with SQL for data extraction and manipulation, and familiarity with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop).
• Excellent data visualization skills and experience with tools like Matplotlib, Seaborn, Tableau, or Power BI.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to translate business problems into analytical frameworks and to explain complex results to diverse audiences.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and MLOps practices is highly desirable.

Benefits

• This role offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous paid time off, and opportunities for continuous professional development.
• As a Remote position, you will enjoy the flexibility to work from anywhere.
• Our client provides a stimulating work environment, cutting‑edge tools, and the chance to lead impactful projects that leverage data to drive significant business growth.
• We also offer performance‑based bonuses and stock options.
• Join a team that values innovation, collaboration, and making a real difference.