Lead Data Scientist

Placements24; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary and bonus potential

Health benefits

On-site amenities

Professional development budget

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Lead Data Scientist to spearhead advanced analytics initiatives in Centurion. You will guide a team, mentor junior members, and collaborate with business stakeholders to drive data-driven decision-making and product innovation.

The role combines deep technical ML expertise with strong leadership and communication skills. The ideal candidate has a passion for turning complex data into actionable business insights and translating them into strategic

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in a quantitative field (Data Science, Statistics, CS)
• 8+ years of data science experience, with 3+ years in leadership or senior roles
• Proficiency in statistical modeling, ML algorithms (regression, classification, clustering, deep learning) and experimental design
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch
• Strong SQL skills and experience with large datasets in distributed computing environments (e.g., Spark)
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to influence decisions

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of ML models and analytics solutions
• Mentor and manage a team of data scientists and guide career development
• Collaborate with product, engineering, and marketing to define data science projects and measure impact
• Develop and maintain data pipelines for collection, cleaning, and feature engineering
• Present findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
• Stay current with AI/ML advancements and drive adoption where appropriate

Skills

Leadership

Data Science

Machine Learning

Python

SQL

Education

Master's or PhD in a quantitative field

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Spark

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a visionary Lead Data Scientist to spearhead their advanced analytics initiatives in Centurion . This role requires a blend of deep technical expertise in statistical modeling and machine learning, coupled with strong leadership and communication skills. You will guide a team of data scientists, mentor junior members, and collaborate with business stakeholders to identify opportunities for data-driven decision-making and product innovation. The ideal candidate is passionate about uncovering insights from complex datasets and translating them into actionable business strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of sophisticated machine learning models and predictive analytics solutions.


• Mentor and manage a team of data scientists, providing technical guidance and career development support.


• Collaborate with stakeholders across product, engineering, and marketing to define data science projects and measure their impact.


• Develop and maintain robust data pipelines for data collection, cleaning, and feature engineering.


• Present complex findings and insights clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.


• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI, machine learning, and data science, and champion their adoption where appropriate.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in a quantitative field such as Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related discipline.


• 8+ years of experience in data science, with at least 3 years in a leadership or senior role.


• Demonstrated 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).


• Strong experience with SQL and working with large datasets in distributed computing environments (e.g., Spark).


• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence decision-making.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive-level salary and bonus structure.


• Comprehensive health, wellness, and retirement benefits.


• Opportunities for leadership development and executive training.


• On-site amenities and a collaborative work environment in a prime Centurion location.


• Generous budget for professional development and conference attendance.