Senior Data Scientist - Predictive Analytics

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Learning opportunities

Career advancement

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria, South Africa, seeks a Senior Data Scientist to lead predictive analytics projects using large datasets. You will translate business challenges into data-driven solutions and manage the end-to-end data science lifecycle.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in data science, strong Python/R, ML, SQL, and excellent communication to present insights to stakeholders. This role offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth in a

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field with strong statistical foundation.
• 5+ years hands-on data science experience with predictive modeling.
• Proficient in Python or R and ML libraries (pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn).

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy advanced statistical and ML models for analytics and forecasting.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business problems into data solutions.
• Clean and explore large datasets, perform feature engineering, and run experiments.
• Design and run A/B tests to validate model impact on business metrics.
• Build data pipelines and mentor junior data scientists.

Skills

Python

R

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

Master's or PhD in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, or related field

Tools

pandas

NumPy

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

SQL

Tableau/Matplotlib/Seaborn

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading financial services firm, is seeking a highly analytical and experienced Senior Data Scientist to spearhead their predictive analytics initiatives in Pretoria, Gauteng . This role offers a unique opportunity to leverage vast datasets to build sophisticated models that drive strategic decision-making, optimize business processes, and enhance customer experiences. You will be responsible for the end-to-end data science lifecycle, from problem definition and data exploration to model development, validation, and deployment. The ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in statistical modeling, machine learning, and programming, coupled with a passion for uncovering actionable insights from complex data. This position demands a proactive individual who can work both independently and collaboratively within a fast-paced, data-driven environment. We are looking for a strategic thinker who can translate complex analytical findings into clear business recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced statistical and machine learning models for predictive analytics, forecasting, and segmentation.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand key challenges and identify opportunities where data science can provide solutions.
• Clean, transform, and explore large, complex datasets to extract meaningful insights and identify patterns.
• Design and execute rigorous A/B tests and other experiments to validate model performance and business impact.
• Build and maintain robust data pipelines and feature engineering processes.
• Communicate complex analytical findings and recommendations clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences through visualizations and reports.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the growth of the data science team.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and relevant technologies.
• Contribute to the development of data governance and best practices within the organization.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience as a Data Scientist, with a strong focus on predictive modeling and statistical analysis.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and extensive experience with data science libraries (e.g., pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Solid understanding of various machine learning algorithms, including regression, classification, clustering, time-series analysis, and deep learning.
• Experience with SQL and working with large relational databases.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Matplotlib, Seaborn).
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a strong sense of intellectual curiosity.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Experience in the financial services industry is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and attractive bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health insurance, including medical and dental coverage.
• Generous annual leave and retirement benefits.
• Opportunities for continuous learning, professional development, and attending industry conferences.
• Exposure to challenging and impactful projects in a dynamic industry.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment in Pretoria .
• Potential for career advancement within a leading financial institution.