Are you a visionary in AI and machine learning , ready to shape the future of data-driven banking? Join one of South Africa's top banks as a Lead Data Scientist , driving innovation in credit, fraud detection, and customer intelligence . You'll lead high-impact AI initiatives, mentor emerging data talent, and shape the strategic direction of data science within the business. Responsibilities Lead the end-to-end design, build, and deployment of predictive models that power smarter decisions and stronger customer trust. Drive the bank's AI and ML strategy, positioning it as a leader in intelligent automation and data innovation. Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering a high-performance, collaborative team. Partner with executive stakeholders to translate complex business challenges into scalable AI solutions. Champion data governance, ethical AI, and regulatory compliance across all projects. Act as a thought leader in applied machine learning and AI innovation within financial services. Qualifications and Experience PhD or Master's in Data Science, Machine Learning, AI, Statistics, or Applied Mathematics. 10+ years in data science or ML-focused roles, with proven leadership experience. Proven delivery of production-grade ML models in banking, fintech, or high-stakes industries. Strong proficiency in Python or R , statistical modeling, and SQL/NoSQL databases . Advanced experience in: Credit Scoring: Logistic Regression, XGBoost, LightGBM Default Prediction: Random Forest, GBMs, Logistic Regression Loan Approval Automation: Decision Trees, GBMs Fraud Detection: Neural Networks, Isolation Forest, SVM Collections Prioritization: Clustering, Gradient Boosting Customer Segmentation: K-means, DBSCAN, Hierarchical Clustering The Reference Number For this position is NG60795 which is a Permanent Hybrid position based in Cape Town offering a cost to company of up to R1.8mil CTC negotiable on experience and ability. Contact Nokuthula at or call her on to discuss this and other opportunities. #J-18808-Ljbffr