Lead Data Scientist (Remote-First)

Placements24; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Professional development budget

Home office stipend

Wellness programs

Bonuses

Retirement plan

State-of-the-art tools

Flexible holidays

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an exceptional Lead Data Scientist to join a fully remote team. You will lead complex data science projects, mentor junior members, and develop predictive models and ML algorithms to advance our data capabilities.

The role requires expertise in ML, statistical modeling, and big data technologies, with strong leadership and communication skills. Remote-first culture supports distributed collaboration globally and a focus on actionable insights.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field is required.
• Minimum of 7 years in data science with at least 2 years in a lead role.
• Proven expertise in ML techniques, statistical modeling, and predictive analytics.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries like scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch.
• Experience with big data (Spark, Hadoop) and SQL.
• Strong data visualization skills (Tableau, Power BI).
• Excellent communication and remote leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and deployment of advanced statistical models and ML algorithms.
• Mentor a team of data scientists and foster growth.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business problems into DS solutions.
• Ingest, clean, and transform large diverse datasets for analysis.
• Develop predictive models to forecast trends and optimize processes.
• Perform rigorous statistical analyses and deliver actionable insights.
• Stay updated on DS/ML trends and best practices.
• Communicate complex results clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ensure data quality, integrity, and reliability of outputs.
• Contribute to DS standards and best practices within the org.

Skills

Machine learning

Statistical modeling

Python

R

Leadership

Remote collaboration

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Tableau

Power BI

Spark

SQL

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.