Senior Data Scientist

Akqa; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 700 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design services company is looking for a Senior Data Scientist in Gauteng, South Africa. This mid-senior level role focuses on leading advanced analytical solutions, turning data into strategic advantage, and collaborating with teams. Candidates should have hands-on experience in data science, proficiency in Python or R, and solid SQL skills. A hybrid work model is adopted, emphasizing creativity and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Experience applying data science to marketing performance or e-commerce.
• Ability to design KPI frameworks and self-serve dashboards.
• Comfort with structured and unstructured data.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of data science projects from start to finish.
• Translate datasets into actionable insights through analysis.
• Build models for forecasting and customer segmentation.

Skills

Hands-on experience in data science

Proficiency in Python or R

Strong SQL skills

Solid understanding of machine learning techniques

Experience in data visualization tools

Excellent communication skills

Tools

Tableau

Google Looker Studio

GCP

AWS

Azure

Job description

Join to apply for the Senior Data Scientist role at AKQA.

At AKQA, we imaginatively apply art and science to create transformative experiences, accelerate growth, and future‑proof organisations.

AKQA designs every touchpoint along the customer journey with unmatched native ability to define, find, connect, and inspire audiences across all brand interactions.

We believe in the power of data to drive decisions, creativity, and business transformation.

As a Data Scientist, you'll play a key role in turning data into strategic advantage—working with some of the world's most ambitious brands and surrounded by a multi‑disciplinary team that values rigor, curiosity, and innovation.

AKQA is seeking a business‑oriented and technically adept Senior Data Scientist to lead and deliver advanced analytical solutions that uncover insights, predict performance, and inform strategy.

This role bridges analytical depth with commercial impact, working closely with internal stakeholders and client teams to shape decision‑making and deliver measurable results.

You will design and implement data science solutions across various projects, spanning customer segmentation, predictive modelling, performance optimisation, and experimentation frameworks.

You will also collaborate with data engineers, strategists, creatives, and technologists to shape data‑informed marketing, product, and business strategies.

Role Requirements

• Lead the end‑to‑end development of data science projects—from framing business problems to deploying solutions and interpreting results.
• Translate complex datasets into actionable insights through statistical analysis, machine learning, and visual storytelling.
• Build models and frameworks for forecasting, customer lifetime value, churn prediction, audience segmentation, recommendation engines, and conversion uplift.
• Partner with internal and client teams to shape learning agendas, A/B and multivariate testing frameworks, and optimisation strategies.
• Deliver presentations and written documentation that communicate technical outcomes to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Design KPI frameworks and create self‑serve dashboards and reporting tools using platforms like Tableau or Google Looker Studio.
• Support automation and scaling of analytics workflows in collaboration with data engineers and developers.
• Advise on data collection strategies and infrastructure, ensuring robust pipelines and trustworthy analytics.
• Contribute to AKQA's thought leadership and internal capability‑building in analytics and data science.

Qualifications And Characteristics

• Hands‑on experience in data science, analytics, or a related quantitative field.
• Proficiency in Python or R for data analysis and modelling.
• Strong SQL skills and experience with querying relational databases.
• Solid understanding of machine learning techniques, model development, and statistical inference.
• Experience applying data science to business contexts such as marketing performance, e‑commerce, media mix modelling, CRM, or customer experience.
• Fluency with data visualization tools (e.g. Tableau, Power BI, Google Data Studio).
• Experience working with cloud platforms (GCP, AWS, or Azure) is a plus.
• Comfort working with structured and unstructured data from varied sources (e.g. CRM systems, media platforms, web analytics tools, transactional databases).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate data outputs into commercial impact.
• Experience with A/B testing platforms and methodologies (e.g. Optimizely, Google Optimize, custom frameworks).
• Familiarity with data engineering concepts (ETL, Airflow, BigQuery, Snowflake) is advantageous.
• Prior experience in a consultancy or agency environment is desirable.

Explore our extensive range of benefits here

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection.

That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach including required in‑office days.

If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics.

We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

Additional Information

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Research, Design, and Analyst

Industries: Design Services