Lead Data Scientist (Remote-First)

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Home office stipend

Professional development budget

Annual leave and holidays

Wellness programs

Access to data science platforms

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Data Scientist for a fully remote team. You will lead complex data science projects, mentor juniors, and develop predictive models using ML and statistical methods.

Strong leadership and communication are essential to drive data-driven decisions across a geographically diverse company. The role requires a Master's or PhD in a quantitative field, 7+ years in data science with 2+ in a lead role, and expertise in Python/R, ML frameworks, Spark/Hadoop, SQL, and data

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in data science, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Proven expertise in ML techniques, statistical modeling, and predictive analytics.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with Spark, Hadoop and SQL; strong data visualization skills (Tableau/Power BI).
• Exceptional problem-solving, analytical and communication abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring experience in a remote setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced statistical models and ML algorithms.
• Mentor and guide a team of data scientists, fostering their growth.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define problems and translate them into DS solutions.
• Extract, clean, and transform large datasets from various sources for analysis.
• Develop and deploy predictive models to forecast trends and optimize processes.
• Conduct rigorous statistical analysis and provide actionable insights.
• Stay updated on DS/ML/AI advancements and communicate findings clearly.
• Ensure quality, integrity, and reliability of DS outputs.
• Contribute to developing best practices and standards for DS within the organization.

Skills

Machine learning

Statistical modeling

Leadership

Python

R

Data visualization

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Stats/Math/Data Science

Tools

Spark

Hadoop

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

SQL

Tableau

Power BI

Cloud platforms (AWS/GCP)

Job description

Our client, a pioneering analytics firm, is seeking an exceptional Lead Data Scientist to join their fully remote team. This role is critical in driving data-driven decision-making and advancing our client's analytical capabilities. You will be responsible for leading complex data science projects, mentoring junior team members, and developing innovative predictive models and machine learning algorithms. As a remote-first organization, we embrace distributed collaboration and provide the tools and support necessary for team members to thrive from anywhere. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning techniques, and big data technologies, coupled with strong leadership and communication skills. This is an exciting opportunity to work on challenging problems with a talented team, shaping the future of data science within a progressive, geographically diverse company. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative remote environment, empowering individuals to contribute their best work. You will play a key role in advancing our client's data strategy and delivering actionable insights.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms.
• Mentor and guide a team of data scientists, fostering their technical and professional growth.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define business problems and translate them into data science solutions.
• Extract, clean, and transform large datasets from various sources for analysis.
• Develop and deploy predictive models to forecast trends, identify patterns, and optimize business processes.
• Conduct rigorous statistical analysis and provide actionable insights to inform strategic decisions.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ensure the quality, integrity, and reliability of data science outputs.
• Contribute to the development of best practices and standards for data science within the organization.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in data science, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Proven expertise in machine learning techniques, statistical modeling, and predictive analytics.
• 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 SQL.
• Strong data visualization skills and experience with tools like Tableau or Power BI.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking abilities.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and mentoring data science teams, preferably in a remote setting.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration.
• Must be legally authorized to work in South Africa.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous annual leave and flexible holidays.
• Budget for professional development, conferences, and training.
• Home office equipment stipend.
• Access to state-of-the‑art data science platforms and tools.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Wellness programs and resources.