Lead Data Scientist - Remote

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Bonuses

Health/dental/vision coverage

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to head our advanced analytics initiatives in a fully remote role across South Africa. You will guide a team of data scientists, architect data solutions, and deploy machine learning models to solve strategic business problems.

You will mentor juniors, collaborate with engineering and product teams, and stay at the forefront of AI developments to drive a data-driven culture in a remote-first environment.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of experience in data science, with a proven track record of leading projects and teams.
• Expertise in machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning) and statistical modeling.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and libraries like scikit‑learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch.
• Strong experience with SQL and big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop).
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their data science services.
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to a diverse audience.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and experience mentoring junior team members.
• Ability to thrive in a remote work setting, demonstrating strong self‑management and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
• Design, develop, and deploy machine learning models and algorithms for various business applications.
• Identify opportunities to leverage data science to solve critical business challenges and drive value.
• Perform complex data analysis, data mining, and statistical modeling on large, diverse datasets.
• Develop and implement A/B testing frameworks and analyze experimental results.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations effectively to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to integrate data science solutions into production systems.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science.
• Define and track key metrics for model performance and business impact.
• Contribute to the development of data strategy and roadmap.

Skills

Team leadership

Machine learning

Python/R programming

SQL & Big Data

Cloud platforms

Communication

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Statistics/Math

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Spark

Hadoop

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in leveraging data to drive business insights, is actively searching for a highly skilled and experienced Lead Data Scientist to spearhead their advanced analytics initiatives. This is a pivotal, fully remote role where you will guide a team of talented data scientists, architect innovative data solutions, and contribute significantly to the company's strategic direction. You will work with vast datasets, employing cutting‑edge machine learning techniques to solve complex business problems and uncover new opportunities. The ideal candidate possesses strong leadership qualities, a deep technical expertise, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of data science. You will be instrumental in fostering a data‑driven culture and mentoring junior team members in this remote‑first environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
• Design, develop, and deploy machine learning models and algorithms for various business applications.
• Identify opportunities to leverage data science to solve critical business challenges and drive value.
• Perform complex data analysis, data mining, and statistical modeling on large, diverse datasets.
• Develop and implement A/B testing frameworks and analyze experimental results.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations effectively to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to integrate data science solutions into production systems.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science.
• Define and track key metrics for model performance and business impact.
• Contribute to the development of data strategy and roadmap.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of experience in data science, with a proven track record of leading projects and teams.
• Expertise in machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning) and statistical modeling.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and libraries like scikit‑learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch.
• Strong experience with SQL and big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop).
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their data science services.
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to a diverse audience.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and experience mentoring junior team members.
• Ability to thrive in a remote work setting, demonstrating strong self‑management and collaboration skills.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive compensation package, including a lucrative base salary, performance‑based bonuses, and stock options. We provide comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, a generous retirement savings plan, and extensive opportunities for professional development, including conferences and advanced training. This is a fully remote position, offering unparalleled flexibility and work‑life balance. You will have the chance to work with a world‑class team on challenging and impactful projects. Make a significant impact on the future of data‑driven decision‑making from anywhere in South Africa.