292 Data Science Manager jobs in South Africa

Kuda is a money app for Africans on a mission to make financial services accessible, affordable and rewarding for every African on the planet.
We’re a tribe of passionate and diverse people who dreamed of building an inclusive money app that Africans would love so it’s only right that we ended up with the name ‘Kuda’ which means ‘love’ in Shona, a language spoken in the southern part of Africa.
We’re giving Africans around the world a better alternative to traditional finance by delivering money transfers, smart budgeting and instant access to credit through digital devices.
We’ve raised over $90 million from some of the world's most respected institutional investors, and we’re rolling out our game-changing services globally from our offices in Nigeria, South Africa, and the UK.

Role Overview

As the Data Science Manager at Kuda, you will be responsible for leading a dynamic team of data scientists to develop and deploy machine learning models that drive critical business outcomes across the entire credit lifecycle. Your team will focus on building solutions for credit scoring, fraud detection, and collections, while also supporting various other business functions by providing data-driven insights and predictive capabilities.

You will work with cutting-edge technologies in data science and machine learning, with an emphasis on building scalable, real-time decisioning systems that are integrated into our product offerings. This means that your models will not only be developed but also put into production in a way that supports live, real-time decisions, enhancing Kuda's ability to serve customers with speed and precision.

Your role will require collaboration across multiple cross-functional teams, including product, business, technology, and data teams, ensuring that all teams are aligned to deliver value through innovative, data-driven solutions. As a manager, you'll foster an environment of continuous learning and improvement, ensuring that your team stays ahead of the curve in terms of industry trends, emerging technologies, and the most effective methodologies in the field of data science.

Key to your success will be your ability to translate business challenges into data-driven solutions while balancing technical execution with strategic vision. Your leadership will help scale Kuda’s impact, bringing high-quality, machine learning-based credit solutions to millions of customers across Nigeria and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership : Manage and mentor a team of data scientists, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
• Model Development : Lead the design, development, and deployment of machine learning models for credit scoring, fraud detection, and collections.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration : Work closely with product, engineering, and compliance teams to integrate models into production systems.
• Data Analysis : Analyze large, complex datasets to extract actionable insights and inform business strategies.
• Model Monitoring: Oversee the performance of deployed models, ensuring they meet business objectives and regulatory standards.
• Stakeholder Communication : Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership and other stakeholders.
• Continuous Improvement : Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies to continuously enhance model performance and team capabilities.

• Education : Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field.
• Experience : Minimum of 6 years in data science, with at least 2 years in a leadership role managing teams and projects.
• Technical Skills : Proficiency in Python, SQL, and machine learning libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch). Strong knowledge of cloud environments and services (AWS, Google Cloud).
• Domain Knowledge : Experience in credit risk modeling, fraud detection, or financial services is highly desirable.
• Leadership : Strong ability to lead teams, manage projects, and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Regulatory Awareness: Understanding of financial regulations and compliance standards, particularly in the Nigerian context.

Why join Kuda?

At Kuda, our people are the heart of our business, so we prioritize your welfare. We offer a wide range of competitive benefits in areas including but not limited to:

A great and upbeat work environment populated by a multinational team

Pension

Career Development & growth

Competitive annual leave plus bank holidays

Competitive paid time off (Parental, Moving day, Birthday, Study leave etc)

Group life insurance

Medical insurance

Well-fare package (Wedding, Compassionate and etc)

Perkbox

️Goalr - employee wellness app

Award winning L&D training

We are advocates of work-life balance, working in a hybrid in office schedule

Kuda is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity and anyone seeking employment at Kuda is considered based on merit, qualifications, competence and talent.

We don’t regard colour, religion, race, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, citizenship, sex, marital or family status, disability, gender, or any other legally protected status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

Job Description
Hello Data Science Manager. Welcome to FNB, the home of the #changeables. We design for the shapeshifters and the game changers. As part of our talent team at FNB Personal Core Banking, you will be surrounded by unique talents, diverse minds, and an adaptable environment that lives up to the promise of staying curious. Now's the time to imagine your potential in a team where experts come together and ignite effective change.

The Personal and Private Core Banking Pricing team is a centre of excellence for FNB. They perform the formulation and execution of pricing strategies across the various business units including Personal Core Banking, Private Core Banking, Credit Card, Home Loans, FNB Channel Islands and Broader Africa. This crucial function engages many senior stakeholders including our CEOs, CFOs and Product Heads to collaboratively drive revenue and income statement growth. The team consists of passionate driven individuals who are invested in the team's success and work together to drive towards outcomes that exceeds expectations.

We're looking for a seasoned Data Science Manager to revolutionize our data utilization. You'll be responsible for building, optimizing, and implementing innovative quantitative analytical methodologies, procedures, products, and advanced mathematical models for our Business Pricing Model. You'll provide analytical support and interpret insights to address business opportunities and problems and implement business strategy with minimal guidance. You'll manage an analytics team, streamline processes, and ensure compliance with privacy requirements. Your role includes integrating analytics into operations, developing core capabilities, and driving performance. Join us to lead data-driven strategies and enhance our business outcomes.

Are You Someone Who Can

• Manage Quantitative Analytics and Modelling team (5 + team members)
• Ensure adoption and localization of appropriate model building policies, standards, frameworks, and governance process and integration of business modelling and analytics value chain.
• Establish goals and strategies for area of accountability in collaboration with senior data analytics management.
• 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.
• Provide and use data and analytic insights to improve customer experience through a better understanding of the customers context to identify monetization opportunities.
• Manage analytics team in the creation of high-quality analyses for all functions of the business, across area of accountability.
• 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 team 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 commercialization 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 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 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 for Business unit 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 utilizing own understanding of business value and interrelated nature of projects, models and processes.
• Ensure 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, optimized efficiency and to facilitate strategic decision making.
• Provide requirements to Business Information.
• Management Function as Supplier or Owner of Data to ensure data is prepared for consumption as an organizational asset.
• Create team 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.
• Provide input into business strategies through data analysis that proactively improve efficiency, identify risks, save costs and drive innovation.
• Lead business through efforts that drive business performance and potential by using the existent and new data sources and techniques.
• Enable business unit to understand its own health, finds growth levers, and identify opportunities for optimization.
• Create new data-driven approaches for the purpose of generating business insights through data analytics, information visualization and addressing unanswered business issues in a proactive manner.
• Ensure validation and interpretation of analytical results and creation of reports and presentations for data analytics management, departmental heads/management, and relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborate with numerous departments across the business to assist in the proper use of data that ensure delivery of desired operational results.
• Model and drive a data driven culture that values data as an asset with business value.
• Lead relevant change and communications functions to drive functional maturity.
• Manage people by executing management responsibilities and create an environment that encourages employee growth and performance excellence.
• Prevent wastage and identify process improvements to contain and reduce costs.
• Take all necessary actions to ensure compliance with relevant statutory, legislative, policy and governance requirements in area of accountability.
• Ensure implementation of relevant policies, governance and practice standards across the business.
• Maintain expert knowledge on relevant legislative amendments, industry best practices and business's internal compliance procedures and requirements.
• Ensure compliance is adopted in terms of systems and procedures as laid out by business.
• Implement and provide input into the development of governance and compliance procedures and processes within area of specialization and identify risks.
• 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.

You Will Be an Ideal Candidate If You Have

• Mathematical/Analytical/Actuarial Science B.Sc. degree or B. Com degree with:
• 5 – 8 years' experience in an analytical and/or modelling position
• 3 years in a management role leading a team (Non-Negotiable)
• Data science and big data knowledge preferable
• Pricing experience, added advantage
• Good communication skills
• Quantitative and analytical skills
• Financial modelling skills
• SAS, Python, SQL, Teradata, PowerBI programming preferable
• Good interpretation skills

You will have access to

• Opportunities to network and collaborate
• A challenging working environment
• Opportunities to innovate

We can be a match if you are / have

• Analytical
• Adaptable and curious
• Thrive in a collaborative environment
• Conceptual and Big Picture Thinking
• Strategic Thinking

Apply now if you are interested in taking the next step. We look forward to engaging with you
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 fulfil 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.

*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. *
25/09/25

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.

Job Description

To implement the Analytics standards in allocated business units, 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 clients.

• Ensure adoption and localization of appropriate model building policies, standards, frameworks, and governance process and integration of business modelling and analytics value chain.
• Establish goals and strategies for area of accountability in collaboration with senior data analytics management.
• 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.
• Provide and use data and analytic insights to improve customer experience through a better understanding of the customers context to identify monetization opportunities.
• Manage analytics team in the creation of high-quality analyses for all functions of the business, across area of accountability.
• 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 team 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 commercialization 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 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 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 for Business unit 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 utilizing own understanding of business value and interrelated nature of projects, models and processes.
• Ensure 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, optimized efficiency and to facilitate strategic decision making.
• Provide requirements to Business Information.
• Management Function as Supplier or Owner of Data to ensure data is prepared for consumption as an organizational asset.
• Create team 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.
• Provide input into business strategies through data analysis that proactively improve efficiency, identify risks, save costs and drive innovation.
• Lead business through efforts that drive business performance and potential by using the existent and new data sources and techniques.
• Enable business unit to understand its own health, finds growth levers, and identify opportunities for optimization.
• Create new data-driven approaches for the purpose of generating business insights through data analytics, information visualization and addressing unanswered business issues in a proactive manner.
• Ensure validation and interpretation of analytical results and creation of reports and presentations for data analytics management, departmental heads/management, and relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborate with numerous departments across the business to assist in the proper use of data that ensure delivery of desired operational results.
• Model and drive a data driven culture that values data as an asset with business value.
• Lead relevant change and communications functions to drive functional maturity.
• Manage people by executing management responsibilities and create an environment that encourages employee growth and performance excellence.
• Prevent wastage and identify process improvements to contain and reduce costs.
• Take all necessary actions to ensure compliance with relevant statutory, legislative, policy and governance requirements in area of accountability.
• Ensure implementation of relevant policies, governance and practice standards across the business.
• Maintain expert knowledge on relevant legislative amendments, industry best practices and business's internal compliance procedures and requirements.
• Ensure compliance is adopted in terms of systems and procedures as laid out by business.
• Implement and provide input into the development of governance and compliance procedures and processes within area of specialization and identify risks.
• 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.

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.

20/08/25

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.

Who are we?
We made Miway to change the way insurance works, to make it work your way, protecting what matters to you and making life a whole lot easier.

Why Miway?We know what it's like to be in an early morning accident on the way to work, to watch helplessly as water floods your business premises, or have your most precious possessions stolen, to lose a truckload of costly stock, or be stranded a long way from home.

So, we created products that put you first, that help you get back on your feet, that make a difference when you're down and dealing with a loss. That's insurance the way it should be. Insurance your way.

That's Miway.You may want to be part of that. Insurance the way it should be. Built around you.It's about you - not about us.

Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to lead at the frontier of actuarial innovation - where data science, machine learning, and software engineering create real-world impact. As Data Science Manager: Telemetry Solutions, you'll help shape the future of insurance.

• Lead actuarial and data science initiatives across telematics, claims, and operational intelligence.
• Work with rich, real-time datasets from connected vehicles and IoT platforms to unlock insights and build predictive systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams - including product, development, and claims - to integrate analytics into key decision-making processes.
• Apply and grow your technical skills across AI, machine learning, and production-grade systems in a dynamic environment.
• Join a forward-looking team that values innovation, ownership, and continuous learning.

If you're technically strong, strategically curious, and passionate about using data science to tackle bold, modern challenges - this is your opportunity to lead the change.

What will you do?
The Data Science Manager: Telemetry Solutions is a future-focused leadership role that bridges actuarial science, data science, machine learning, and engineering. You will lead a multidisciplinary team that leverages telematics and alternative data to deliver intelligent solutions across usage-based insurance (UBI), claims innovation, product development, and dynamic risk assessment.

This role offers a unique opportunity to operate at the intersection of data, strategy, and technology - driving meaningful transformation in how insurance products are developed, risks are understood, and operations are optimised.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and deploy scalable, real-time systems for ingesting, processing, and analysing high-frequency vehicle sensor and telemetry data.
• Develop and maintain robust APIs and automation tools in Python and C# to support internal platforms and customer-facing applications.
• Oversee the creation and deployment of AI models - including computer vision and large language models (LLMs) - to enhance claims automation and document intelligence.
• Champion innovation within the actuarial domain by blending traditional methodologies with modern MLOps, software engineering, and streaming analytics.
• Manage end-to-end machine learning pipelines using tools like MLflow, ensuring reproducibility, governance, and performance monitoring.
• Collaborate closely with Product, IT, Data Engineering, and Claims teams to embed intelligent analytics into core business processes and customer experiences.
• Mentor and grow a high-performing team of data scientists, and software engineers.
• Provide technical insight and data-driven narratives to support strategic decision-making through dashboards, models, and actuarial reporting.

Qualifications

• Degree in Actuarial Science, Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field (Honours or Master's preferred).

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in data science, or data engineering roles, preferably in a telematics-driven insurance environment.
• Proficient in Python and C#, with a solid foundation in object-oriented programming and API development.
• Advanced SQL skills, including data processing, database management, and query optimisation (Essential).
• Practical experience using Git for version control and collaboration(Essential).
• Hands-on experience with machine learning libraries and frameworks such as XGBoost, spaCy, Hugging Face, TensorFlow, or PyTorch.
• Proven ability to deploy and monitor models using MLflow and related MLOps tools.
• Experience with large-scale datasets, ideally from IoT or telematics sources.
• Working knowledge of Docker for containerisation (Intermediate to Advanced – Advantageous).
• Exposure to messaging systems such as RabbitMQ (Advantageous).
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles, including object-oriented design and clean code practices.
• Solid business acumen with the ability to translate technical work into strategic outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and a passion for mentoring cross- functional teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to extract insights from high-volume, high-dimensional data

Knowledge And Skills
Actuarial Problem Solving

Issues management

Business knowledge

Business analysis

Personal Attributes
Self-development - Contributing independently

Interpersonal savvy - Contributing independently

Nimble learning - Contributing independently

Tech savvy - Contributing independently

Core Competencies
Cultivates innovation - Contributing independently

Customer focus - Contributing independently

Drives results - Contributing independently

Collaborates - Contributing independently

Being resilient - Contributing independently

Build a successful career with us
We're all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Turnaround time
The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

Deadline to apply: 19 September 2025.
Our commitment to transformation
At MiWay we believe in cultivating a positive and dynamic working environment that gives you freedom and opportunity to succeed. MiWay is committed to transformation and embracing diversity. This is what drives us to achieve a multicultural workplace with employment equity as a key goal to create an inclusive workforce, reflective of the demographics of our society.

Model Validation Lead / Data Science Manager

A leading financial services institution is seeking a highly skilled professional to take on a senior leadership role within its Model Risk and Validation function. This role is designed for an experienced data science leader who can combine technical depth with strategic oversight, ensuring the integrity, governance, and reliability of critical models across the organisation.

As the lead, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the organisation’s model landscape. You will provide independent challenge and assurance across credit, financial crime, operational optimisation, and marketing models — driving best practice, innovation, and compliance with regulatory expectations.

• Lead the model validation agenda, delivering independent oversight of advanced machine learning and statistical models.
• Establish and maintain robust model risk governance and control frameworks.
• Develop and implement challenger models using advanced techniques to test performance and suitability.
• Provide technical and professional leadership to a team of analysts, fostering growth and capability building.
• Partner with model development teams, senior stakeholders, and governance committees to influence strategic outcomes.
• Contribute to the evolution of model risk management methodologies, ensuring alignment to market and regulatory standards.

• Minimum: Honours Degree in Mathematics, Statistics, or Data Science.
• Preferred: Master’s Degree in Mathematics, Statistics, or Data Science.
• 6+ years of experience in data science, model development, and validation within financial services.
• Strong expertise in machine learning (e.g., tree-based methods, neural networks, clustering, anomaly detection).
• Solid understanding of cloud platforms (AWS preferred) and exposure to emerging technologies such as large language models.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, lead, and inspire teams.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with a track record of presenting findings at senior forums.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the direction of a model risk and validation function within a dynamic financial services environment. If you are passionate about technical excellence, model governance, and strategic impact, we encourage you to apply.

• Director

• Full-time

• Analyst

• Financial Services and Banking

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Lead Data Science & Analytics – Drive Innovation!

Are you a data-driven leader ready to shape the future of analytics? We’re looking for a Data Science & Analytics Manager to lead a high-performing team and drive data-powered decision-making in a cutting-edge environment.

What You’ll Do:

• Build and lead a team of Data Scientists & Analysts.
• Develop and execute a strategic data science vision.
• Work with stakeholders to drive innovation through data.
• Implement machine learning & predictive analytics models.
• Ensure scalable, high-impact data solutions.

What You’ll Need:

• Degree/Masters/PhD in a quantitative field (Actuarial Science, Statistics, Computer Science, etc.).
• 10+ years of hands-on data science experience .
• Expertise in Python, SQL, Power BI, Azure, and ML frameworks .
• Strong background in big data, cloud infrastructure, and predictive modeling .
• Proven ability to bring data science solutions into production .

Why Join Us?

• Lead a data-driven transformation.
• Work with cutting-edge technologies.
• Collaborate with top industry experts.
• Competitive salary & growth opportunities.

Mid-Senior level

Full-time

Business Development and Other

Data Infrastructure and Analytics