Senior Data Scientist

Are you an experienced Data Scientist looking to make a significant impact at a leading South African bank? Capitec Bank is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to help drive its AI strategy and innovate how they serve clients. Join a dynamic team focused on making a positive difference and shaping the future of banking.

About Capitec Bank

Capitec Bank is more than just a bank; they believe in empowering people to control their financial lives through simplified, accessible, and affordable banking. By helping clients manage their finances better, Capitec enables them to live better. The company culture is built around talented and committed teams dedicated to building a trusted brand. Capitec values its employees, offering a supportive environment with growth opportunities and competitive benefits.

About the Role

As a Senior Data Scientist at Capitec, you will play a crucial role in shaping and owning the bank’s AI strategy. This exciting opportunity involves leveraging your advanced knowledge of machine learning principles, including deep learning, natural language processing (NLP), and reinforcement learning, to develop innovative models and solve complex business challenges.

You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing predictive models and intelligent algorithms to uncover actionable insights. These insights will drive strategic decision-making across various departments. The role encompasses the full machine learning lifecycle, from data preprocessing and experimental design to production-level model deployment.

As a Senior Data Scientist, you will also gather requirements, manage stakeholder engagement (including executive-level management), and mentor junior data scientists, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented team environment.

Key Focus Areas

This role supports critical functions across the bank, including:

• Business Banking Client Experience Delivery
• Retail Banking Client Experience Delivery
• Marketing Client Insights and Engagement
• Retail Credit Management
• Risk Management

What We’re Looking For (Minimum Requirements)

• Experience: 6+ years in a Senior Data Science role.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• AI/ML Deployment: Hands-on experience deploying AI/ML solutions in real-world applications.
• Advanced Data Science: Experience with advanced data science principles including NLP, deep learning, reinforcement learning, or time-series modeling.
• Programming: Proficiency in Python/R.
• Databases: Experience with relational and non-relational databases.
• Deep Learning Frameworks: Familiarity with modern deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Stakeholder Management: Experience managing stakeholder engagement up to executive management.
• Version Control: GitHub or Git experience.
• Cloud Platforms: Experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP.

Ideal Candidate Competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Leadership ability
• Problem-solving skills
• Decision-making skills
• Researching skills
• Project Management skills
• Planning, organising, and coordination skills

Education Requirements

• Completed a degree or higher.

It’s a Bonus If You Have:

• A Master’s degree.

If you are a driven and talented Senior Data Scientist ready to contribute to Capitec’s mission of building the best bank in the world, we encourage you to apply. We would love to hear from you!

Capitec is committed to diversity and, where feasible, all appointments will support the achievement of our employment equity goals.