Director of Data Science

Location: Cape Town
Working Model: Hybrid, 2 days in office and 3 days remote
Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Role

We are hiring on behalf of our client, a global digital and technology business, for an experienced Director of Data Science to join their Cape Town team.

The successful candidate will help lead the strategic and technical direction of the Data Science function, overseeing a team of Data Scientists and ensuring that projects are delivered to a high technical standard while supporting wider commercial and client objectives.

The role combines Data Science leadership, machine learning, advanced modelling, marketing analytics and client consulting, with responsibility for developing new data-driven solutions and identifying commercial opportunities through AI and ML.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee high-impact Data Science projects.

• Manage, mentor and develop Data Scientists across the team.

• Design, build and implement predictive models and algorithms.

• Use Data Science to improve media performance, customer experience, revenue and wider business outcomes.

• Develop new Data Science, ML and AI solutions that create commercial opportunities.

• Translate business and client requirements into practical technical solutions.

• Develop Data Science proposals, KPIs and technical deliverables.

• Lead continuous testing and refinement of algorithms and statistical techniques.

• Ensure models are scalable, accurate and appropriately validated.

• Define and maintain Data Science best practices and delivery standards.

• Support client pitches with technical expertise and solution development.

• Maintain strong documentation, QA and data quality standards.

• Act as a senior advisor on complex Data Science and analytics challenges.

• Lead client training sessions and technical workshops.

• Support and mentor junior team members.

Technical Requirements

• Expert knowledge of Machine Learning techniques and modelling.

• Strong experience with Marketing Mix Modelling (MMM).

• Experience with incrementality testing and causal impact analysis.

• Strong predictive modelling experience, including areas such as propensity modelling, churn analysis and predicted lifetime value.

• Advanced Python and SQL.

• Advanced Google Cloud Platform (GCP) experience.

• Experience with ML frameworks including TensorFlow, PyTorch and scikit-learn.

• Experience with pipeline orchestration tools such as Dataform, dbt and Apache Airflow.

• Strong statistical analysis and modelling capability.

• Experience developing scalable and production-ready Data Science solutions.

• Strong understanding of data quality, security, deployment and QA processes.

Preferred Certification

• Google Cloud Professional Machine Learning Engineer

About You

• Experienced leading and developing Data Science teams.

• Strong technical and analytical problem-solving ability.

• Comfortable remaining involved in complex technical Data Science work.

• Confident presenting insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders and clients.

• Able to translate complex modelling and Data Science concepts into commercial outcomes.

• Strong mentoring and coaching capability.

• Comfortable supporting new business, pitches and senior client discussions.

• Proactive about emerging technologies, AI and Machine Learning developments.

Sphere Digital Recruitment currently have a variety of job opportunities across digital so feel free to get in touch with us to find out how we can help you. Please take a look at our website.

Sphere is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications regardless of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation, and any other protected status as required by applicable law.

If you require any adjustments or additional support during the recruitment process for any reason whatsoever, please let us know.