Data Science Head

Job Description

To implement the Analytics standards across big complex business areas, that contribute to the monetisation of data through the development and delivery of advanced mathematical models and business principles that find hidden patterns and associations in data used to influence business strategy, inform channel design and make predictions on the behaviour of our clients.

• Model and assist with driving a data driven culture that values data as an asset with business value.
• Lead relevant change and communications functions to drive functional maturity.
• Ensure adoption and localisation of appropriate model building policies, standards, frameworks, and governance process and integration of business modelling and analytics value chain.
• Manage leveraging of analytics to influence and improve customer experiences, operational processes and solution design across areas.
• Establish goals and strategies for area of accountability across areas of accountability.
• Ensure ethical usage of information that complies to restrictions applied for privacy and sensitivity classification.
• Understand and ensure implementation and adherence to Privacy business requirements, legislation and policy.
• Ensure reporting of any Information Privacy Incidents and drive resolution of Privacy and Protection Audit Findings, Complaints, Incidents, Investigations and Privacy and Protection Assessments.
• Ensure usage data and analytic insights to improve customer experience through a better understanding of the customers context to identify monetization opportunities.
• Manage analytics function in the creation of high-quality analyses for all functions of the business, across multiple areas and sources.
• Create tactical plans for achievement of outputs / deliverables in collaboration with business stakeholders to understand information requirements for strategy delivery and define metrics that track performance.
• Drive functional performance of analytics solutions; drive and enhance data systems and streamline business processes to impact overall business results while keeping costs in check.
• Analyse available data to identify information commercialisation opportunities that have not been explored to address business needs and revenue options.
• Ensure analytics productionization in the approved FirstRand architecture by translating technical data information into practical business information that addresses identified needs.
• Analyse information requirements, availability, and quality of data to feed into Data and information management function and forums for resolution.
• Oversee the appropriate manipulation and analysis of data for various business functions and departments to meet needs of the business for the purpose of future work and to ensure high information-quality and reliability across the business.
• Integrate analytics into operational processes to improve efficiency and client experience.
• Ensure development of core analytical capabilities or model libraries using advanced statistical, quantitative or econometric techniques.
• Manage overall large project dependencies management and long-term prioritization of the business's overall analytical needs and opportunities.
• Serve as SME for analytics applying own understanding of the operations of the business product or service.
• Define the business questions across business areas that need be answered; define appropriate analytics models in addition to identifying and readying relevant data sources for analysis.
• Address business problems and opportunities through robust underlying analytics.
• Translate business requirements into tangible solutions or models utilising own understanding of business value and interrelated nature of projects, models and processes.
• Lead accurate development and application of analytical algorithms and methods to build, test and implement advanced mathematical models and analytical solutions that address business problem, opportunities and improve business outcomes i.e., reduced risk and costs, increased profitability, optimised efficiency and to facilitate strategic decision making.
• Ensure provision of requirements to Business Information Management Function as Supplier or Owner Of Data to ensure data is prepared for consumption as an organisational asset.
• Create tactical plans for achievement of outputs or deliverables in collaboration with Technology stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of analytical solutions and models to support business requirements.
• Ensure governance and compliance rules are followed in application and implementation of predictive models to enable the business to manage risk.
• Maintain ownership and oversee the implementation of models.
• Monitor output and accuracy of models.
• Ensure the documentation and auditing of relevant models, projects and processes.
• Analyse available data to identify information commercialisation opportunities that have not been explored to address business needs and revenue options work and to ensure high information-quality and reliability across the business.
• Ensure analytics productionisation in the approved FirstRand architecture by translating technical data information into practical business information that addresses identified needs.
• Lead business modelling and analytics value chain across big complex areas in delivery of business strategy.
• Address business problems and opportunities through robust underlying analytics.
• Translate business requirements into tangible solutions or models utilising own understanding of business value and interrelated nature of projects, models and processes.
• Encourage, establish and maintain strategic relationships across multiple functional areas to enable collaboration and knowledge sharing across function.
• Manage expenditure planning and reporting within approved budget parameters.
• Build relationships that allow for the managing of expectations; the sharing of knowledge and diverse insights; and the creation of buy-in.
• Engage in cross-functional relationships to obtain and to provide work support.
• Contribute to sustaining a competitive edge through external networking, benchmarking and representation on related forums.
• Implement and provide input into the development of governance and compliance procedures and processes within area of accountability and identify risks.
• Monitor changes in legislation, regulations, initiatives and relevant industry practices.
• Ensure drafting and implementation of appropriate interventions.
• Maintain expert knowledge on relevant legislative amendments, industry best practices and business's internal compliance procedures and requirements.

Additional Requirements

• Strong technical pricing background with excellent profitability modelling capabilities.
• 5 – 8 years pricing experience.
• 2 years experiencing in leading and supporting people
• Business Case and or financial modelling experience
• Experience in relationship pricing and/or customer profitability would be beneficial
• Experience in payments would be advantageous

Education Requirements

• Honours degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial science or Finance

Job Details

Take note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below.

16/06/25

All appointments will be made in line with FirstRand Group’s Employment Equity plan. The Bank supports the recruitment and advancement of individuals with disabilities. In order for us to fulfill this purpose, candidates can disclose their disability information on a voluntary basis. The Bank will keep this information confidential unless we are required by law to disclose this information to other parties.