Data Scientist

About Discovery 

Discovery’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating in order to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society. 

About Discovery Bank 

Discovery Bank is a bank like no other – a shared-value bank, designed with our clients in mind. We’re all about sharing the value that clients create when they manage their money well, back with them through exceptional interest rates and rewards. Our Vitality Money programme measures how well clients manage their finances, informs them of what it means to be financially healthy, and empowers them with the knowledge to get enhanced rewards for managing their money well. If you’re adaptable, a problem-solver, always questioning the way things are done, passionate about doing what is right, and obsessed with providing a quality service experience, we have a job for you where you can be your best in an environment that’s safe and nurturing. 

 Job Purpose 

The Discovery Bank R&D Team is looking to recruit an exceptional individual who will lead Discovery Bank data science related projects and be responsible for assessing and advising on the strategic use of data science to generate enhanced value for Discovery Bank customers, drive Discovery Bank products and achieve other strategic business objecives. We are looking for an intelligent, self-driven person who has a passion for using data science to drive innovation and solve challenging problems. This individual should enjoy finding opportunity though the creative use of data science in a complex environment and should have a desire to drive business and product strategy through data science.

 Areas of responsibility may include but not limited to 

• Design and plan the approach for bringing a conceptual data science project and product to completion, including:

• • • Clearly articulating the business need and objective of the project
    • Preparing the data and creatively considering alternative approaches to the data variables that will best meet the business objective
    • Identifying and building the key models to optimally meet the objective
    • Understand the business context and the value generated
    • Identify the optimal solution, enhancements and recommendations based on clearly articulated reasoning
    • Drive the project to implementation
    • Ability to clearly define and implement the monitoring required to ensure continuous model performance

• Use a combination of strategic thinking, data science and business knowledge to drive products and identify business opportunities
• Demonstrate business value through the application of advanced machine learning techniques
• Demonstrate thought leadership in model design, implementation and monitoring, driving new learnings and techniques within the Discovery Group data science areas
• Create and maintain model pipelines for various use cases
• Drive the architectural requirements that allow for the implementation of models in a replicable fashion
• Drive the Discovery Bank data strategy and identify opportunities to enrich Discovery Bank data assets to generate enhanced business value
• Define and create key indices that generate value to the business and customers
• Present recommendations in a coherent and compelling way to a range of external and internal stakeholders, including Exco members
• Co-ordinate and manage interactions with other teams 

Personal Attributes and Skills 

• Strong coding ability in either Python or R
• Strong SQL ability
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to implement machine learning models within a business context
• Understanding of cash flows and various business profitability measures
• Ability to think creatively and pursue innovative, alternative approaches
• Ability to deal with complexity, ambiguity and constant change
• Keen interest in business dynamics and strategic challenges
• Sophisticated written and verbal communication skills
• High level of attention to detail
• Passion for personal development and growth, with a high learning potential
• Commitment to excellence and high quality delivery 

Education and Experience 

• Degree in actuarial science, statistics or data science. Other analytical degrees will be considered if accompanied by sufficient experience in data science
• Minimum 3 years’ data science experience
• A proven record of implementing machine learning models within the business

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY   
                             
The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.