Senior Specialist: Advanced Analytics; Data Scientist

The Senior Specialist:
Advanced Analytics is accountable for leading Postbank's advanced analytics and data-science capability for assigned enterprise domains. The role defines analytical standards, prioritises and governs the advanced analytics portfolio, translates strategic and regulatory priorities into executable analytics roadmaps, and provides authoritative specialist leadership over high-impact models, data-science solutions, model-risk controls, stakeholder advisory and the performance delivery of Data Scientist resources.

• Translate Postbank priorities into an advanced analytics roadmap, delivery portfolio and standards for assigned domains.
• Prioritise analytical initiatives based on strategic benefit, regulatory need, operational urgency, data readiness, risk and resourcing constraints.
• Define reusable standards for problem framing, data preparation, model development, validation, documentation, monitoring and reporting.
• Advise the Head:
  Analytics and senior stakeholders on analytics opportunities, trade-offs, dependencies, risks and investment requirement
• Lead the adoption of scalable analytics methods, platforms and ways of work that improve delivery quality and speed.

• Lead complex predictive, prescriptive, segmentation, forecasting, optimisation and machine-learning initiatives from concept to implementation handover.
• Approve analytical design choices, modelling approaches, validation methods, implementation assumptions and business interpretation for high-impact outputs.
• Coordinate cross-functional dependencies with BI, automation, data, technology, risk, operations and business stakeholders.
• Review and challenge Data Scientist outputs to ensure technical quality, business relevance, reproducibility and governance compliance.
• Present complex analytics findings, recommendations and options to executive, operational and technical audiences.

• Own the advanced analytics model register, documentation standards and evidence requirements for assigned domains.
• Ensure compliance with POPIA, FSCA requirements, Postbank governance frameworks, data-security controls and model-risk practices.
• Oversee model validation, explainability, bias testing, drift monitoring, performance thresholds, version control and retirement criteria
• Coordinate audit, internal control, regulatory or assurance evidence relating to advanced analytics outputs.
• Escalate material risks and recommend control improvements to the Head:
  Analytics.

• Lead, allocate and monitor work of Data Scientist resources in line with portfolio priorities, deadlines and quality standards.
• Set role expectations, review performance inputs, coach technical capability and identify skills-development needs.
• Contribute to workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, probation input and succession planning for advanced analytics roles.
• Manage workload, delivery risks, leave planning and continuity of critical analytics work streams.
• Promote a professional, inclusive, high-accountability delivery culture aligned to Postbank values and governance obligations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, or relevant field (NQF Level
  7)
• Honours / Masters in relevant field (NQF Level 8 /9) (Ideal)
• 8+ years Relevant data science, machine learning and algorithm-related experience at a specialist level
• 5+ years Managerial / Team Leading experience
• Experience in the Banking Industry (Advantageous)

A phased skills pathway for strengthening data engineering, business intelligence,…