Lead Data Scientist - Fintech

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 2,964,000 - 3,953,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Fully remote with flexible hours

Comprehensive health insurance

Professional development budget andcon

Job summary

Placements24, a forward-thinking fintech firm, seeks an experienced Lead Data Scientist to drive advanced analytics remotely. You will lead a team of data scientists, mentor juniors, and collaborate with engineering and product teams to translate data into strategic decisions.

The role emphasizes machine learning, scalable models, and executive-level communication to shape the future of fintech from anywhere.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 8+ years of experience in data science with significant lead or managerial responsibility.
• Expertise in machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling, and data mining techniques.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of ML models for forecasting, risk, and customer behavior analysis.
• Mentor and manage a team of data scientists, providing technical guidance.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to integrate data science into core platform features.
• Define KPIs and robust evaluation metrics for predictive models.
• Explore large datasets to identify trends and opportunities for growth.
• Present findings and recommendations to executive leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Problem solving

Education

PhD/ Master’s in CS or related

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking fintech company operating fully remotely, is seeking an experienced Lead Data Scientist to spearhead their advanced analytics initiatives. This role is crucial for driving innovation in financial products and services through the application of sophisticated machine learning models and data-driven insights. You will lead a team of data scientists, mentor junior members, and collaborate closely with engineering and product management to translate complex data into actionable strategies. This fully remote position is ideal for a seasoned professional who thrives on tackling challenging problems and shaping the future of financial technology from anywhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of machine learning models for financial forecasting, risk assessment, and customer behavior analysis.
• Mentor and manage a team of data scientists, providing technical guidance and fostering a culture of innovation.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to integrate data science solutions into core platform features.
• Define key performance indicators and establish robust evaluation metrics for predictive models.
• Explore and analyze large, complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for business growth.
• Present findings and recommendations to executive leadership and cross-functional teams.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 8+ years of experience in data science, with a significant portion in a lead or managerial role .
• Expertise in machine learning algorithms , statistical modeling, and data mining techniques.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and equity options.
• Fully remote work environment with flexible hours.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous professional development budget and conference attendance.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI/ML projects in the fintech space.