Lead Data Scientist - Insurance Analytics

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Home office stipend

Executive health coverage

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Lead Data Scientist to spearhead insurance analytics initiatives. This fully remote role offers the opportunity to define and execute the company''s data science strategy, leading a team of data scientists and mentoring juniors from Pretoria to the nation.

You will model risk, detect fraud, analyze customer behavior, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate data into actionable business insights.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics or related discipline.
• 8+ years of data science experience, with a significant focus on insurance/financial services.
• Proven leadership of data science projects and teams.
• Proficiency in Python or R, SQL, and big data technologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced machine learning models and statistical analyses for insurance problems.
• Lead design, development, and deployment of predictive models (segmentation, churn, risk).
• Mentor and guide a data science team, fostering collaboration and innovation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify data-driven opportunities and product enhancements.
• Communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills

Leadership

ML & modeling

Stakeholder communication

Team mentoring

Education

Master's or PhD in quantitative field

Tools

Python

R

SQL

Big data technologies

Job description

About the Role

Our client seeks a visionary Lead Data Scientist to spearhead their insurance analytics initiatives. This fully remote position offers the unique opportunity to define and execute the company's data science strategy, driving innovation in areas such as risk modeling, fraud detection, and customer behavior analysis. You will lead a team of talented data scientists, mentor junior members, and collaborate with cross-functional departments to translate complex data into actionable business insights. This role is perfect for an experienced leader who thrives in a remote setting and is passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technology to transform the insurance industry from Pretoria to the rest of the nation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced machine learning models and statistical analyses to solve critical business problems in insurance.
• Lead the design, development, and deployment of predictive models for areas such as customer segmentation, churn prediction, and risk assessment.
• Mentor and guide a team of data scientists, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to identify key opportunities for data-driven decision-making and product enhancement.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in a quantitative field such as Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in data science, with a significant portion focused on the insurance or financial services industry.
• Proven experience in leading data science projects and teams.
• Expertise in programming languages like Python or R, and proficiency with SQL and big data technologies.
• Strong understanding of various machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling, and data mining techniques.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive-level salary and bonus potential.
• Fully remote position with complete flexibility and a home office stipend.
• Comprehensive executive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Significant investment in professional development, conferences, and continuous learning.
• Opportunity to shape the future of data analytics in a forward-thinking insurance company.