Lead Data Scientist - Financial Risk

Our client is expanding its pioneering digital banking platform and seeks a visionary Lead Data Scientist to spearhead their financial risk modeling initiatives. This position is fully remote, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying advanced machine learning models to predict and mitigate financial risks, including credit risk, fraud detection, and market volatility.

This role requires a deep technical background combined with strategic leadership to guide a team of talented data scientists. You will play a crucial role in shaping the company's risk management framework and ensuring the stability and growth of our digital financial services. The ideal candidate is a thought leader in data science with a passion for applying complex algorithms to real-world financial challenges in a remote-first setting.

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of machine learning models for financial risk assessment (credit scoring, fraud detection, AML).
• Mentor and manage a team of data scientists, providing technical guidance and fostering innovation.
• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders to define data science projects and requirements.
• Develop and maintain robust data pipelines and feature engineering processes for risk models.
• Evaluate model performance, conduct A/B testing, and continuously iterate to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and financial technology.
• Communicate complex findings and model insights clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of hands‑on experience in data science, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of building and deploying machine learning models in a production environment, specifically for financial risk applications.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python or R, and familiarity with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, Tensor Flow, PyTorch).
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and data mining techniques.
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and SQL/No
  
  SQL databases.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, essential for remote collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a technical team.

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous remote work stipend and home office setup support.
• Stock options or equity in a rapidly growing fintech company.
• Opportunities for continued learning, conference attendance, and advanced training.
• Flexible working hours within a fully remote setup.
• A culture that fosters innovation, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.