Lead Data Scientist

Placements24; Mossel Bay; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonuses

Medical / Dental / Vision

Leave allowance

Conference attendance

Relocation support

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Mossel Bay, Western Cape, is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to drive data-driven strategies, build predictive models, and derive actionable insights from large datasets. You will lead a team of data scientists and engineers, shaping the data science agenda and delivering high-impact solutions.

The role requires advanced degrees, 5+ years in data science, strong ML and statistical modeling skills, and excellence in communicating complex findings to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field.
• 5+ years of data science experience delivering analytics projects.
• Proven team leadership in data science.
• Expertise in ML, statistical modeling, and experimentation design.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of advanced statistical models and ML algorithms.
• Oversee data mining, prep, and feature engineering.
• Mentor data scientists and engineers.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business needs into data projects.
• Design and run A/B tests and experiments.
• Create data visualizations and reports for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay updated on data science advances and apply them.
• Contribute to data strategy and roadmap.
• Ensure ethical and responsible use of data.

Skills

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Team leadership

Python

R

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Pandas

NumPy

SQL

Spark

Tableau

Power BI

AWS

Communication

Education

Master's/PhD in quantitative field

Tools

Spark

Hadoop

Tableau

Power BI

AWS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in data analytics and business intelligence, located in the scenic coastal city of Mossel Bay, Western Cape , is actively recruiting for an exceptional Lead Data Scientist. This pivotal role involves spearheading data-driven initiatives, building advanced predictive models, and deriving actionable insights from complex datasets to drive strategic business decisions. You will lead a team of talented data scientists and engineers, fostering a culture of rigorous analysis and scientific inquiry. The ideal candidate will possess a profound understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and data visualization techniques, coupled with strong leadership capabilities. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the data science strategy within a company that values innovation and cutting-edge technology. You will work on challenging problems that have a direct impact on the company's growth and success, leveraging vast amounts of data to uncover hidden patterns and trends. The role is based in a picturesque location, offering a high quality of life alongside a stimulating professional career. We are looking for a visionary leader who can translate complex data findings into clear business recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms to solve complex business problems.
• Oversee data mining, data preparation, and feature engineering processes to ensure data quality and suitability for analysis.
• Mentor and guide a team of data scientists, fostering their professional development and ensuring high-quality deliverables.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across various departments to understand business needs and translate them into data science projects.
• Design and execute A/B tests and other experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of models and strategies.
• Develop compelling data visualizations and reports to communicate complex findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, and evaluate their applicability to our business.
• Contribute to the overall data strategy and roadmap of the organization.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible use of data in all analytical endeavors.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• Extensive experience (5+ years) in data science, with a proven track record of successfully delivering complex analytical projects.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing a team of data scientists.
• Deep understanding of 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 relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas, NumPy).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and SQL.
• Skilled in data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Matplotlib, Seaborn).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous leave allowance, including annual leave and sick leave.
• Opportunities for attending international conferences and advanced training.
• A stimulating work environment with access to cutting-edge technology.
• Relocation assistance may be available for exceptional candidates.
• Enjoy the beautiful coastal lifestyle of Mossel Bay .
• Retirement fund with employer contributions.
• Regular professional development workshops.