Lead Data Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Professional development

Medical aid

Retirement planning

Job summary

Placements24 in Kimberley, South Africa, seeks a Lead Data Scientist to guide advanced analytics initiatives and mentor a team of data scientists. You will develop sophisticated ML models and translate insights into business decisions.

The role requires a strong quantitative background, leadership, and the ability to communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Office-based in Kimberley with growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of data science experience, with at least 3 years in a lead or management role.
• Proven expertise in machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling, and data mining techniques.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with SQL and large, complex datasets.
• Familiarity with Spark, Hadoop and cloud platforms AWS/Azure/GCP.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills; mentoring ability.
• Experience in designing and conducting A/B tests and experimental design.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists on complex analytical projects.
• Develop, validate, and deploy machine learning models for predictive analytics, classification, and optimization.
• Design and implement data mining strategies to extract valuable insights from large datasets.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to translate needs into data science solutions.
• Communicate complex analytical findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay abreast of advancements in data science, ML, and AI.
• Ensure the quality, integrity, and scalability of data science models and pipelines.
• Contribute to the company's data strategy and roadmap.
• Evaluate and implement new data science tools and technologies.
• Drive innovation and best practices in data science methodologies.

Skills

Team leadership

Machine learning

Statistical modeling

Python

R

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

SQL

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

Communication

Experimental design

Education

Master's or PhD in a quantitative field

Tools

Python

R

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

SQL

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading analytics firm in Kimberley , is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Data Scientist to guide their advanced analytics initiatives. This pivotal role involves leading a team of data scientists, developing sophisticated machine learning models, and driving data-driven decision-making across the organization. You will be responsible for tackling complex business problems using advanced statistical and machine learning techniques, communicating insights effectively to stakeholders, and mentoring junior data scientists. The ideal candidate possesses a strong quantitative background, deep expertise in various data science methodologies, and exceptional leadership qualities. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of data analytics within a growing and innovative company.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists, guiding their work on complex analytical projects.
• Develop, validate, and deploy machine learning models for predictive analytics, classification, and optimization.
• Design and implement data mining strategies to extract valuable insights from large datasets.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand their needs and translate them into data science solutions.
• Communicate complex analytical findings and recommendations clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
• Ensure the quality, integrity, and scalability of data science models and pipelines.
• Contribute to the development of the company's data strategy and roadmap.
• Evaluate and implement new data science tools and technologies.
• Drive innovation and best practices in data science methodologies.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in data science, with at least 3 years in a lead or management role.
• Proven expertise in machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling, and data mining techniques.
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in data science, such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with SQL and working with large, complex datasets.
• Familiarity with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to mentor and guide junior team members.
• Experience in designing and conducting A/B tests and experimental design.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including a performance-based bonus and opportunities for professional development. Comprehensive medical aid and retirement planning are provided. While this role is primarily office-based in Kimberley , occasional flexibility may be arranged. The company fosters a culture of intellectual curiosity and innovation, encouraging participation in industry events and continuous learning. Opportunities for career advancement and the chance to work on impactful, cutting-edge data science projects are abundant. Our client values employee contributions and promotes a collaborative work environment.