Lead Data Scientist - AI Innovation

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

Benefits offered by this job

Significant annual bonus potential

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Professional development budget

Cape Town office

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to drive AI innovation in Cape Town. You will lead a team of data scientists and engineers, guiding development of predictive models and AI-powered solutions.

The role demands strong leadership, strategic thinking, and hands-on expertise in ML/DL, data engineering, and cloud platforms. Cape Town office-based role with a focus on ethical AI and business impact.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in data science, statistics, CS, or related field.
• 7+ years in data science with proven leadership of AI projects.
• Expertise in statistical modeling, ML, DL, and AI techniques.
• Proficiency in Python or R and data visualization tools.
• Familiarity with big data tech (Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists and engineers.
• Develop and implement advanced statistical models and ML algorithms.
• Identify new AI opportunities across departments.
• Oversee end-to-end lifecycle of DS projects from conception to deployment.
• Communicate complex findings to senior leadership.
• Ensure ethical and responsible use of data and AI technologies.

Skills

Data leadership

Mentoring

Python

R

Deep learning

ML algorithms

Big data

Spark

Hadoop

Cloud platforms

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

PhD in Data Science

Master's in Data Science

Tools

Python

R

Spark

Hadoop

Tableau

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Data Scientist to spearhead their AI innovation initiatives in Cape Town . This leadership role is crucial for driving the company's data-driven strategy, focusing on developing and deploying advanced analytical models and AI-powered solutions. You will lead a team of talented data scientists and engineers, guiding them in leveraging complex datasets to uncover insights, predict trends, and create intelligent systems. The ideal candidate possesses a strong blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership acumen, coupled with a passion for pioneering new applications of artificial intelligence in a vibrant coastal city.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Develop and implement advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms for predictive analytics and insights generation.
• Identify new business opportunities for AI and data science applications across various departments.
• Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of data science projects, from conception and data acquisition to deployment and monitoring.
• Communicate complex findings and strategic recommendations to stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible use of data and AI technologies within the organization.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Extensive experience (7+ years) in data science, with a proven track record of leading successful AI projects.
• Expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, deep learning, and AI techniques.
• Proficiency in programming languages like Python or R, and experience with data manipulation and visualization tools.
• Familiarity with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Benefits

• Significant annual bonus potential based on performance and project success.
• Opportunity to shape AI strategy and lead groundbreaking projects in Cape Town .
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Generous budget for professional development, conferences, and training.
• Vibrant office environment in a prime Cape Town location.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and large-scale datasets.