Principal Data Scientist - Advanced Analytics

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

Benefits offered by this job

Salary + equity

Health, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead advanced analytics in a strategic, high-impact role. You will architect and deploy sophisticated models, mentor a team of data scientists, and collaborate with cross-functional partners to translate insights into value.

Based in Rustenburg with flexible remote options, the role demands deep technical expertise, exceptional communication with executives, and a proven track record of delivering data-driven outcomes across large-scale

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in Statistics, Mathematics, CS, Physics or Economics.
• 10+ years of progressive data science experience, senior/lead.
• Expertise in ML algorithms (regression, classification, clustering, deep learning) and statistical modeling.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development and deployment of advanced models to solve complex business problems.
• Design and execute robust data analysis and experimentation frameworks.
• Mentor and guide a team of data scientists and analysts.

Skills

Machine learning

Statistical modeling

Leadership

Communication

Python

SQL

Cloud computing

Big data

Experimentation

Data visualization

Education

PhD or Master's in a quantitative field

Tools

scikit-learn

pandas

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in data-driven strategy and innovation, is seeking an exceptional Principal Data Scientist to spearhead advanced analytics initiatives. This prestigious position, based in Rustenburg, North West , offers the opportunity to influence strategic decision-making through sophisticated modeling and predictive analytics. You will be responsible for tackling the most complex data challenges, developing state-of-the-art statistical models, and driving the adoption of data science best practices across the organization. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with a deep technical background, a passion for uncovering actionable insights from data, and a proven ability to mentor and inspire a team of data scientists. We are looking for someone who can not only perform complex analyses but also effectively communicate findings to executive leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development and deployment of advanced statistical and machine learning models to solve complex business problems.
• Design and execute sophisticated data analysis and experimentation frameworks.
• Identify new opportunities for leveraging data to drive business value and competitive advantage.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to a team of data scientists and analysts.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product, and business units, to define project requirements and deliver data-driven solutions.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior management.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, and champion their adoption where appropriate.
• Develop and maintain documentation for models, methodologies, and findings.
• Contribute to the strategic vision for data science within the organization.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in a quantitative field such as Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, or Economics.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in data science, with a significant portion in a senior or lead role.
• Demonstrated expertise in a wide range of machine learning algorithms (regression, classification, clustering, deep learning) and statistical modeling techniques.
• Strong programming skills in Python or R, with experience in relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, pandas, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Proficiency in SQL and experience working with large datasets and databases.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence decision-making.
• Proven track record of leading complex data science projects from inception to completion.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, commensurate with experience and leadership, along with an exceptional bonus structure and equity options. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans are provided, complemented by a generous retirement savings plan with employer matching. We are dedicated to employee growth, offering extensive professional development opportunities, including attending leading industry conferences and access to continuous learning platforms. This fully remote role allows flexibility while contributing to impactful projects. We value work-life balance and provide ample paid time off. Join a forward-thinking team that is shaping the future of data science.