Lead Data Scientist (Remote-First)

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + bonus structure

Comprehensive health insurance

Stock options

Remote work setup allowance

Professional development budget

Generous PTO and career growth

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Data Scientist to spearhead advanced analytics initiatives in a fully remote setting. You will guide a team of data scientists, develop predictive models, and deploy data-driven solutions that drive business value across complex datasets.

The role requires 7+ years in data science with leadership experience, strong Python/R skills, SQL expertise, and proficiency with cloud platforms. You will shape the data science roadmap and foster data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in data science with at least 2 years in a leadership or mentoring role.
• Proven expertise in Python or R and libraries such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, pandas, NumPy.
• Strong experience with SQL and large-scale databases.
• In-depth knowledge of statistical modeling, ML algorithms (regression, classification, clustering, deep learning), and experimental design.
• Experience with big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Excellent data visualization skills (Matplotlib, Seaborn, Tableau).
• Strong communication skills to explain complex concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and mentor in a remote setting.
• Experience with MLOps is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of advanced ML models and algorithms.
• Mentor and manage a team of data scientists, providing technical guidance.
• Collaborate with product, engineers, and stakeholders to define data science projects.
• Identify opportunities to use data to improve business outcomes and operations.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines and infrastructure for model training and deployment.
• Perform exploratory data analysis to identify trends and anomalies.
• Evaluate and benchmark model performance for scalability and reliability.
• Stay updated on data science/machine learning trends and apply them.
• Communicate findings with compelling visuals and presentations.
• Contribute to data governance and best practices.

Skills

Python

R

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

pandas

NumPy

SQL

Data visualization

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in CS/Statistics/Math/Data Science

Tools

Spark

Hadoop

AWS/Azure/GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Lead Data Scientist to spearhead their advanced analytics initiatives. This is a fully remote position, ideal for a candidate who thrives in a virtual environment and possesses a deep understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning, and data mining techniques. You will lead a talented team of data scientists, guiding them in developing and deploying cutting-edge solutions that drive business value. This role involves working with large, complex datasets to uncover actionable insights, build predictive models, and create data-driven strategies. The successful candidate will be instrumental in shaping our client’s data science roadmap and fostering a culture of data-informed decision-making across the organization. We are looking for a strategic thinker with a passion for solving challenging problems using data, and who can effectively communicate technical findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Embrace the future of work in a collaborative, remote-first setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced machine learning models and algorithms.
• Manage and mentor a team of data scientists, providing technical guidance and fostering professional growth.
• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders to define data science projects and deliver impactful solutions.
• Identify opportunities for leveraging data to improve business outcomes, enhance customer experience, and optimize operations.
• Develop and maintain robust data pipelines and infrastructure for model training and deployment.
• Perform exploratory data analysis (EDA) to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies in complex datasets.
• Evaluate and benchmark model performance, ensuring scalability and reliability.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI, and apply them to solve business problems.
• Communicate complex findings and insights to stakeholders through compelling visualizations and presentations.
• Contribute to the development of data governance and best practices 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 or a related field, with at least 2 years in a leadership or mentoring role.
• Proven expertise in programming languages such as Python or R, and proficiency with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, pandas, NumPy).
• Strong experience with SQL and working with large-scale databases.
• In-depth knowledge of statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning), and experimental design.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Excellent data visualization skills (e.g., Matplotlib, Seaborn, Tableau).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and mentor junior team members in a remote setting.
• Experience with MLOps principles and practices is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous stock options package.
• 401(k) or similar retirement plan with company match.
• Professional development budget for conferences and training.
• Unlimited paid time off policy.
• Home office setup allowance.
• Access to state-of-the-art technology and tools.
• A collaborative and innovative remote work culture.
• Significant opportunities for career growth and leadership.