Senior Data Scientist - FinTech Innovation

Placements24; South Africa; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Medical insurance

Stock options

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Senior Data Scientist for a leading FinTech in Pretoria. The role focuses on developing sophisticated predictive models, analyzing complex financial data, and turning insights into strategic business value.

You will work with cross-functional teams to deploy data-driven solutions and improve product offerings. The ideal candidate has 5–7 years in data science, advanced degrees, and strong Python/R capabilities with ML libraries.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
• 5-7 years of professional experience in data science or a related analytical role, preferably in financial services/FinTech.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, pandas, NumPy.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement advanced statistical models and ML algorithms for finance.
• Analyze large datasets to identify trends and insights guiding strategy.
• Build and deploy predictive models for customer behavior, risk, fraud, and market forecasting.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to integrate DS solutions into offerings.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines ensuring data quality and accessibility.
• Communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay updated on DS/ML/AI advances and evaluate applicability to business needs.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to knowledge sharing.
• Design and conduct A/B tests and experiments to measure feature impact.
• Develop dashboards and visualizations to monitor KPIs and model performance.
• Ensure ethical data handling and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Machine learning

Statistical modeling

Python

R programming

Data visualization

Experiment design

Big data

Cloud platforms

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

pandas

NumPy

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering FinTech firm at the forefront of financial innovation, is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Data Scientist to join their advanced analytics team in Pretoria . This strategic role will be instrumental in driving data-driven decision-making across the organization, developing sophisticated predictive models, and uncovering actionable insights from complex financial datasets. The ideal candidate will possess a deep expertise in machine learning, statistical modeling, and programming, coupled with a strong understanding of financial markets and services. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of financial technology, leveraging cutting-edge tools and techniques to solve challenging business problems and create impactful solutions. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product development, engineering, and business strategy, to translate data into tangible business value. The position offers a stimulating environment for professional growth and the chance to work on projects that have a direct impact on the company's success and the broader FinTech landscape in Pretoria .

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms to solve complex business problems in finance.
• Analyze large and diverse datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights that drive strategic decisions.
• Build and deploy predictive models for customer behavior, risk assessment, fraud detection, and market forecasting.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to integrate data science solutions into existing and new product offerings.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines, ensuring data quality, integrity, and accessibility for analytical purposes.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, and evaluate their applicability to business needs.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's knowledge sharing and best practices.
• Design and conduct A/B tests and other experiments to measure the impact of new features and strategies.
• Develop dashboards and visualizations to monitor key performance indicators and track model performance.
• Ensure ethical data handling and compliance with relevant regulations.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in data science or a related analytical role, preferably within the financial services or FinTech industry.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, pandas, NumPy).
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning techniques (e.g., regression, classification, clustering, deep learning), and experimental design.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and SQL.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and their data science services.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Matplotlib).
• A proactive mindset with a passion for continuous learning and innovation.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Knowledge of financial products, markets, and regulatory frameworks is a significant advantage.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and potential for significant bonuses based on performance.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous retirement savings plan with company matching.
• Flexible working hours and a hybrid work model.
• Opportunities for professional development, including conferences and advanced training.
• Stock options or equity participation in a rapidly growing company.
• Modern office facilities in a prime Pretoria location.
• Collaborative and innovative work culture.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and data resources.
• Significant impact on the future of FinTech solutions.