Senior Data Scientist

New Metrics; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work environment

Professional development support

Paid professional memberships

Job summary

New Metrics is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to lead end-to-end predictive analytics initiatives for clients. You will own the modeling lifecycle from framing to deployment and will present insights in plain language to stakeholders who may not be data specialists.

You will mentor junior data scientists, develop scalable feature pipelines, and set technical bar across the team while collaborating with clients to turn analytics into strategic decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• 6+ years of hands-on Data Science and Machine Learning experience in large enterprises or consulting settings.
• Proven delivery of predictive models in production or an advanced PoC across any customer, operational, or behavioural analytics domain.
• Strong logical reasoning and structured problem-solving with the ability to translate business questions into analytical solutions.
• Business acumen to connect model outputs to real decisions and communicate with non-technical stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Python (scikit-learn, XGBoost / LightGBM), PySpark, and advanced SQL; MLflow for tracking.
• Experience on OCI, Azure, AWS, GCP, or Databricks; Power BI or Tableau for dashboards.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver predictive models across customer analytics domains (Churn, Customer value, Satisfaction, Propensity, Segmentation).
• Build scalable feature pipelines using PySpark and Python; manage experiment tracking and model versioning (Mlflow).
• Lead client workshops and model reviews; distil complex findings into concise narratives and executive summaries.
• Define and enforce model governance including performance monitoring, drift detection, and re-training plans.
• Mentor Data Scientists and contribute to reusable frameworks and internal standards.

Skills

Python

SQL

Machine Learning

Data storytelling

Problem framing

Education

Master's degree in Data Science

Tools

PySpark

MLflow

scikit-learn

XGBoost

LightGBM

Job description

Join Our Team as a Senior Data Scientist!

New Metrics is a leading human-centric transformation consultancy, empowering organizations to enhance employee productivity, maximize customer lifetime value, and achieve sustainable growth. Our integrated approach combines advanced technology, real-time insights from structured and unstructured data, and a deep understanding of human behavior. New Metrics delivers end-to-end solutions across the customer lifecycle—from acquisition to advocacy—embedding ESG principles throughout. By leveraging data-driven insights and innovative strategies, we optimize customer journeys, boost loyalty, and enable clients to thrive in competitive, customer-focused markets.

Our values—Be Bold, Be Curious, Be Human-Centric—guide everything we do. Our mission is to create meaningful impact by empowering businesses and delivering measurable human value.

About the Job

We are looking for a Senior Data Scientist to lead end-to-end delivery of predictive analytics solutions across our client engagements. You will own the full modelling lifecycle - problem framing, feature engineering, model build, and production handoff along with engaging directly with clients to turn analytical findings into decisions. Beyond delivery, you will set the technical bar for the team and mentor junior data scientists.

The right person thinks like a business analyst as much as a data scientist. You ask why a problem matters before deciding how to solve it, and you know how to communicate complex work in plain language to stakeholders who don't live in model metrics.

Your Main Duties Will Include:

• Design and deliver predictive models across customer analytics domains - Churn, Customer value, Satisfaction, Propensity, and Segmentation - owning the approach from problem definition to deployment
• Build scalable feature pipelines using PySpark and Python; manage experiment tracking and model versioning via Mlflow or similar tools
• Lead client workshops and model reviews; distil complex findings into concise narratives, dashboards, and executive summaries
• Define and enforce model governance - performance monitoring, drift detection, documentation, and re-training plans
• Mentor Data Scientists on the team and contribute to reusable frameworks and internal standards

Requirements:

Must Haves:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field
• 6+ years of hands-on Data Science and Machine Learning experience in large enterprises or consulting settings
• Proven delivery of predictive models in production or an advanced PoC - across any customer, operational, or behavioural analytics domain
• Strong logical reasoning and structured problem-solving - ability to take an ambiguous business question, frame it analytically, and communicate the answer clearly
• Business acumen to connect model outputs to real decisions; comfort engaging with non-technical stakeholders and translating requirements into an analytical approach
• Proficiency in Python (scikit-learn, XGBoost / LightGBM), strong PySpark for distributed feature engineering, and advanced SQL
• MLflow or equivalent for experiment tracking and model lifecycle management
• Experience on at least one cloud or big data platform: OCI, Azure, AWS, GCP, or Databricks
• Power BI or Tableau for dashboards and client-facing storytelling

Nice to Have:

• Exposure to regulated or data-rich industries such as financial services, insurance, telecom, or healthcare - where customer data is complex and decisions are high-stakes
• Experience with CX or survey platforms such as Medallia or Qualtrics
• NLP exposure - applying text analytics to survey, complaint, or operational data
• Prior work in a client-facing consulting model, managing stakeholder expectations under delivery pressure

What You Can Expect From Us

At New Metrics, we are committed to creating an inclusive, flexible, human-centric and supportive work environment.

When you join our team, you can expect:

1. Exceptional trust based culture that fosters inclusion, creativity, and innovation:
   • 91% of employees feel engaged, reflecting our ongoing efforts to deliver the best in class employee experience
   • 94% of our employees feel included and have a sense of belonging
   • 94% of employees trust their manager
2. Collaboration with a passionate and high-performing team that values appreciation of individual attributes and diverse perspectives
3. Exposure to a global brand known for its commitment to excellence and making a difference in creating human value
4. A comprehensive focus on flexibility, wellness and result orientation in operation
5. Strong focus on life-long learning and continuous development, along with opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge
6. Equal opportunities for growth and development, supported by subsidized professional qualifications and paid professional memberships to advance your career
7. A commitment to environmental sustainability, creating a positive impact on the world around us

Join our passionate team at New Metrics and make a meaningful impact on the world of experience management! Our values, mission, and culture drive us to create flawless experiences that matter.