Lead Data Scientist - FinTech

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Health insurance

Retirement plan with company matching

Home office stipend

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 invites an experienced Lead Data Scientist to head our data science initiatives inFinTech. You will lead ML model development for fraud, credit scoring, and customer insights while shaping data strategy across the organization.

You will mentor a distributed team, drive robust data pipelines, and partner with product and engineering teams to translate business needs into scalable solutions. This role emphasizes ethical AI and strategic innovation.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in data science, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role, preferably within FinTech or financial services.
• Expertise in machine learning techniques (supervised/unsupervised learning, deep learning), statistical modeling, and experimental design.
• Proficiency in Python or R, with libraries like scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch.
• Experience with big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong SQL skills and experience with database management.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a team in a remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of ML models for fraud detection, credit scoring, customer segmentation, and algorithmic trading.
• Develop and implement robust data pipelines and infrastructure for large-scale data processing and model training.
• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders to translate requirements into technical specs.
• Mentor and guide a team of data scientists, fostering innovation and continuous learning.
• Conduct advanced statistical analysis, A/B testing, and experimentation to measure impact.
• Stay abreast of AI/ML advancements and drive adoption.
• Present findings to technical and non-technical audiences clearly.
• Ensure ethical and responsible use of data and AI technologies.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Analytical thinking

Remote leadership

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Statistics/Data Science

Tools

Python

R

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

SQL

Job description

About the Role

This is a fully remote, groundbreaking opportunity for a Lead Data Scientist with a passion for FinTech. Our client, a rapidly expanding digital financial services innovator, is seeking a visionary leader to spearhead their data science initiatives. You will be instrumental in leveraging advanced machine learning, AI, and statistical modeling techniques to drive product innovation, optimize customer experiences, and enhance risk management strategies. This remote-first role offers the flexibility to work from anywhere while collaborating with a globally distributed, high-performing team. You will shape the future of financial technology through data-driven insights and strategies, working from the comfort of your own home.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of cutting-edge machine learning models and algorithms for applications such as fraud detection, credit scoring, customer segmentation, and algorithmic trading.
• Develop and implement robust data pipelines and infrastructure to support large-scale data processing and model training.
• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders to identify opportunities for data-driven solutions and translate business requirements into technical specifications.
• Mentor and guide a team of data scientists, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Conduct advanced statistical analysis, A/B testing, and experimentation to measure the impact of data science initiatives.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI, machine learning, and data science, and champion their adoption within the organization.
• Present complex findings and insights to both technical and non-technical audiences in a clear and compelling manner.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible use of data and AI technologies.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in data science, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role, preferably within the FinTech or financial services industry.
• Expertise in machine learning techniques (e.g., supervised/unsupervised learning, deep learning), statistical modeling, and experimental design.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong SQL skills and experience with database management.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking abilities.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a team in a remote environment.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Employees receive comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, along with a generous retirement savings plan with company matching.
• The company provides a flexible work environment, opportunities for professional growth through online courses and conferences, and a stipend for home office setup.
• We foster a collaborative and inclusive culture where innovation is encouraged and valued, regardless of your physical location.