Remote Lead Data Scientist - Finance

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

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Remote work

Health insurance

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Lead Data Scientist to spearhead data analytics initiatives in finance. This fully remote role leads a team of data scientists and analysts, develops predictive models, and drives data-driven strategies.

You will tackle fraud detection, risk modeling, and customer analytics while collaborating with stakeholders globally. The ideal candidate has a PhD or Master’s in a quantitative field, 7+ years of DS experience, and proven leadership in complex projects.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of experience in data science with focus on financial modeling and analytics.
• Proven experience leading data science teams and managing complex projects.
• Expertise in Python or R and libraries like scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch.
• Strong SQL, big data technologies (Spark) and cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills for virtual teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of ML models for financial apps.
• Mentor and guide a team of data scientists and analysts.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify data-science opportunities.
• Manage full DS lifecycle from data prep to model evaluation and deployment.
• Communicate findings effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay current with data science advancements and promote adoption.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Team management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Virtual collaboration

Education

PhD or Master’s in CS/Statistics/Math or related

Tools

Python

R

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

SQL

Spark

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative and experienced Lead Data Scientist to spearhead their data analytics initiatives within the finance sector, operating in a fully remote capacity. You will lead a team of data scientists and analysts in developing advanced predictive models, deriving actionable insights from complex financial datasets, and driving data-driven strategies. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership skills. You will work with cutting-edge technologies to tackle challenging problems in areas such as fraud detection, risk modeling, and customer analytics. This is a critical role for a talented individual looking to make a significant impact from anywhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of sophisticated machine learning models and algorithms for financial applications.
• Mentor and guide a team of data scientists, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to identify key challenges and opportunities addressable through data science.
• Manage the full data science lifecycle, from data acquisition and preprocessing to model evaluation and deployment.
• Communicate complex findings and insights effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences virtually.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI, and champion their adoption.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of experience in data science, with a strong focus on financial modeling and analytics.
• Proven experience leading data science teams and managing complex projects.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python or R, and proficiency with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong knowledge of SQL, big data technologies (e.g., Spark), and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills, adept at virtual team management.

Benefits

• Exceptional salary and comprehensive stock options package.
• Complete remote work flexibility, allowing you to work from your preferred location.
• Premium health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Significant budget for professional development, conferences, and continuous learning.
• Opportunity to shape the future of data science within a leading financial institution.