Remote Lead Data Scientist

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Stock options

Health benefits

Professional development budget

Equity participation

Conferences & training

Remote-friendly culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to drive strategic data initiatives in a fully remote role within South Africa. You will lead a team of data scientists, mentor juniors, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve complex business problems using machine learning, AI, and statistical modeling.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in data science with leadership experience, deep ML expertise, and strong communication skills to influence stakeholders across the organization from a

Qualifications

• Master-level or doctoral training in CS/ statistics/ math/ physics or related field.
• 8+ years in data science with leadership/lead role experience.
• Proven ML, statistical modeling, and AI technique expertise.
• Python or R with libraries like TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn.
• Experience with big data tools (Spark/Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Strong data warehousing, ETL, and database management knowledge.
• Excellent leadership, mentoring, and communication skills.
• Remote work capability and South Africa work authorization.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deploy ML and AI solutions across business units.
• Define data science strategy and roadmap aligned to business goals.
• Oversee end-to-end data science lifecycle from data exploration to deployment.
• Mentor junior data scientists and foster collaboration across teams.
• Collaborate with engineering, product, and business to uncover data-driven opportunities.
• Communicate complex findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay updated on advances in data science and AI.
• Ensure ethical and responsible use of data and AI.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

ML algorithms

Statistical modeling

AI techniques

Python

R

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

Data warehousing

ETL

Databases

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Master’s or PhD in a quantitative field

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

SQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge financial technology company, is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Data Scientist for a fully remote position, enabling you to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will spearhead the development and implementation of advanced data science initiatives, driving data-driven decision-making across the organization. This role involves leading a team of data scientists, mentoring junior members, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to solve complex business problems using machine learning, AI, and statistical modeling. As a remote-first organization, we value proactive communication, autonomy, and a strong sense of ownership. The ideal candidate possesses a deep technical expertise, proven leadership capabilities, and a passion for innovation in the fintech space. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of data science within our company from the comfort of your home office.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the data science team in developing and deploying machine learning models and AI solutions.
• Define data science strategy and roadmap in alignment with business objectives.
• Oversee the end-to-end data science lifecycle, from data exploration and feature engineering to model training, validation, and deployment.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering a collaborative and innovative team environment.
• Collaborate with engineering, product, and business teams to identify opportunities for data-driven solutions.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible use of data and AI technologies.
• Contribute to building scalable and robust data infrastructure and pipelines.

Requirements

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• 8+ years of experience in data science, with a significant portion in a leadership or lead role.
• Proven expertise in machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling, and AI techniques.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and associated libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong understanding of data warehousing, ETL processes, and database management.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and mentoring skills.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience in the financial services or fintech industry is highly advantageous.
• Must be able to work effectively remotely and be legally authorized to work in South Africa.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure reflecting leadership role.
• Fully remote work arrangement offering ultimate flexibility.
• Stock options or equity participation in a growing fintech company.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Generous professional development budget for conferences and training.
• Opportunity to lead and innovate in the exciting field of AI and data science.
• Collaborative and forward-thinking remote work culture.
• Chance to make a significant impact on business strategy from anywhere in South Africa.