Senior Data Scientist

As a Senior Data Scientist within our Marketing Intelligence team, you will play a key role in the development and implementation of advanced data services and solutions, leveraging machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive profitability and value for our clients.  You will possess a deep understanding of data science principles, advanced analytics techniques, and machine learning engineering and be proficient in utilising a range of programming languages, tools and machine learning frameworks

You will be required to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams - including internal & external stakeholders - to understand clients' data needs and translate them into effective technical solutions.  They will lead on advanced data projects, and develop data science approaches that can be adopted across the team.

Your achievements will lead to recognition as a thought leader, actively contributing to the company's reputation and brand through your expertise and insights.

Key Responsibilities

Your tasks and responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Apply advanced statistical modeling and techniques to solve complex business challenges.
• Develop and implement advanced data solutions using machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive profitability and value for clients.
• Design and build machine learning pipelines and models, optimising their performance and efficiency
• Develop and maintain machine learning infrastructure.
• Track and document model lineage, model versioning and model transitioning.
• Independently design experiments, build algorithms, and apply machine learning tools to manage, interrogate, and extract value from large data sets for the benefit of media & digital marketing strategy
• Lead advanced data projects and develop data science approaches that can be adopted across the team.    
• Demonstrate a willingness to learn and teach. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior data scientists, fostering their growth and ensuring the quality of their work.    
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including internal & external stakeholders, to understand clients' data needs and translate them into effective technical solutions.    
• Proactively share information on the latest updates, new products, and evolving processes with the team.    
• Demonstrate data knowledge and expertise through training materials and address clients' data challenges in senior-level discussions.    
• Lead training sessions & workshops with clients on technical data topics within your expertise.    
• Cultivate a strong relationship with clients and suppliers, which results in Incubeta being seen as a trusted partner and technical expert in the solutions offered.    
• Deliver code and solutions that are well documented and understandable by other data scientists.    
• Take responsibility for security in PII data, code management, and deployment.    
• Proactively identify improvement opportunities for existing and new solutions across the business based on GP opportunity, customer feedback and industry needs.
• Improve on modeling techniques in our existing solutions and suggest new products through learning and development

KPI & Performance Management

• Achieve utilisation and GP targets.
• Achieve 100% success criteria within assigned tasks, or with justifiable rationale shared in advance where not achieved.
• Achieve 100% of deadlines within assigned tasks, or with justifiable rationale shared in advance where not achieved.
• Receive consistently positive client feedback in post-project reviews and post-training reviews.

Place within Organisation

The Senior Data Scientist reports directly to the EMEA Director of Data Science. This role is based in our Cape Town office and operates within the EMEA Marketing Intelligence team. You will be an integral part of a dynamic and collaborative team, working alongside marketing intelligence professionals across EMEA, including:

• Data Analysts
• Data Engineers
• Analytics Implementation Specialists
• Data & Analytics Consultants
• Technical Project Managers

You will also collaborate closely with:

• In-market teams in Cape Town, across various disciplines
• Commercial & client service teams across EMEA
• Operations personnel
• Other marketing intelligence resources globally

Qualifications and Skills

In order to successfully perform this role, you will need the following hard and soft skills:

Hard Skills

• 8+ years of experience in data science, with a focus on machine learning, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics.
• Advanced expertise in data analysis, statistical modeling, and developing machine learning models for analysis and predictions
• Experience in designing and building machine learning pipelines and deploying ML models to production environments.
• An expert in programming languages SQL, Python, R 
• Advanced experience with cloud platforms GCP (Essential), AWS, Azure (Advantageous) and cloud based ML services (e.g. Vertex AI).
• Demonstrable competency in propensity modelling, churn analysis, causal impact analysis, pLTV and MMM
• Familiarity with ML frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, and others
• Experience in pipeline orchestration tools such as Dataform, DBT and Apache Airflow
• Experience in developing and implementing advanced measurement solutions for digital marketing activation including MMM, Incrementality Testing, Causal impact Analysis & Attribution modelling
• Experience in customer and audience modelling solutions including propensity modelling, predictive lifetime value, churn analysis or similar
• Knowledge of industry trends and the ability to apply this knowledge to technical client solutions.
• Understanding of Analytics platforms & impact of data within - in particular Google Analytics 4
• Knowledge of Key Metrics and Dimensions for GMP Platforms (DV360, CM360, SA360), Google Ads and Facebook 
• Knowledge of Digital Media Strategy
• Can confidently deal with breadth of enquiries around analytics & data
• Skilled in utilising Google Workspace for communication, presentations and reporting (e.g. Gmail, Google Slides, Google Docs, Google Sheets)
• Google Cloud Platform certified (Advantageous)
• ETL tooling experience (FiveTran, Supermetrics) (Advantageous)

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Demonstrable expertise in strong client relationship management, and experience of building and managing key partner relationships
• Strong technical storyteller - able to turn complex technical concepts into simple and easy to understand concepts for both internal teams and clients
• Excellent problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic, pro-learning environment on multiple priorities simultaneously
• Relentless enthusiasm and highly reliable
• Accountable, driven, and proactive in development and making progress
• Display a hunger for knowledge and a willingness to learn for any situation
• Ability to think and act independently as well as collaboratively
• Can establish influential relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Exceptional attention to detail and pride in any work produced
• Strong ability to prioritise and manage own time as well as assisting teams where needed
• Display honesty and integrity at all times
• Accountable for actions even when making mistakes
• Organised and detail oriented
• Be approachable and open to constructive feedback

Incubeta Company Values:

• Earn Trust: Focused on maintaining and increasing customer focus, works with the customer in mind earning trust along each step with clients and colleagues
• Help Others Succeed: Makes an active contribution to a joint result (organizational target) or to resolving problems or conflicts. Think in terms of possibilities. Is able to solve issues and problems in a timely and effective manner, working as a team.
• Dare to Lead: Is willing to improve individual performance and stimulate others to act accordingly. Setting the standard and example. Being solution driven.
• Exceed Expectations: Carries out tasks without help from others; takes command of problem situations and aims to achieve more than the basic requirements

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Incubeta is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Application Process:

If you feel you meet the criteria please kindly submit your resume, cover letter, and portfolio of relevant work. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.Please take note that if you do not receive a response within 2 weeks of applying, you should consider your application as unsuccessful.