Principal Data Scientist

When it comes to putting people first, we're number 1. The number 1 Top Employer in South Africa.Certified by the Top Employer Institute 2025. Role Purpose/Business Unit: The Principal Data Scientist will play a pivotal role in shaping and driving customer value management (CVM) strategies for Vodacom Group. Moving beyond Data Science, this role will focus on the end-to-end ownership of CVM initiatives within the Big Data team, from strategic design to CVM product delivery, ensuring sustainable customer growth, retention, and profitability using Data Science and Big Data tooling. As a senior thought leader within the Big Data team, the Principal Data Scientist will influence business decisions, leverage advanced analytics, and collaborate cross-functionally to design differentiated customer journeys, maximize ARPU and product sales, and strengthen long-term customer relationships. This role will combine analytical expertise, data science and software engineering to drive value and establish a deeper connection with our customers. They are responsible for generating actionable insights through the analysis of customer data, developing and maintaining customer segmentation and propensity models, and working with in market teams to use such models. This role helps elevates CVM from tactical execution to a strategic growth driver using Big Data. The Principal Data Scientist will be instrumental in ensuring Vodacom delivers on Purpose and stays ahead of the market in delivering personalized, digital first, and value driven customer experiences that translate into higher revenue, loyalty, and brand advocacy. Your responsibilities will include: Strategic Leadership Act as a subject matter expert and thought leader in the Big Data team with a strong focus on CVM. Design and lead the development of machine learning models using large and varied datasets. Translate customer insights and data analytics into actionable strategies for acquisition, retention, upsell, and win-back. Guiding and advising on the optimal AI solution to various stakeholders. Presentation of implementation plans and expected outcome to technical and non-technical audiences. Own the technology for building and deploying AI solutions, then drive the planning and development of the solution. Debugging Predictive Models, Rule based approaches and Gen AI solutions. Prototype code for training and scoring machine learning models. e.g. Using PySpark, Spark ML, H2O and other tools for automated training and scoring of the machine learning models. Manage the complete life cycle of a machine learning model. (Ideation, Design, Development and Deployment). Evaluating performance of the model in development but also evaluating post deployment whilst in production. Uses data visualisation to engage audience in a compelling way, enabling effective storytelling. Developing insightful dashboards to enable faster decision making. Working with a community of colleagues across Advanced Analytics, Technology, Data and Customer Functions. Work with the Lead Data Scientist to deliver key packages of work to meet the needs of our business customers within the Customer Value Management (CVM) space. Works in partnership with Big Data Production Data Engineering for model automation and productionising. Contributing to the wider community to enable machine learning and AI capability across Vodafone globally. Identifying new data sources and evaluate emerging technologies for data discovery usage. Lead, manage and mentor a team of data scientists. The ideal candidate for this role will have: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in quantitative fields like Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Computer Science Engineering, Artificial Intelligence or related fields (essential), a minimum of 6 years relevant experience in Data Science. Knowledge of CVM within a telecommunications company would be advantageous. Experiencing working with and managing a team of data scientists. Experience in data manipulation: use of structured data tools (e.g., SQL), and unstructured data platforms (e.g., Hadoop, Spark, NoSQL). Proficiency in at least one relevant programming language: Python, R. Experience in major machine learning modelling libraries (e.g., H2O, scikit-learn, PyTorch, Tensorflow) and techniques (e.g. random forest, gradient boosting, k-means segmentation, multiple regression, factor analysis, time-series forecasting). Familiarity with visualisation tools (e.g. Tableau, Qlik, D3, Apache Superset, Plotly). Generative AI and LLM experience would be advantageous. AWS and/or GCP experience is advantageous. Exposure/interest in machine learning. Professional and/or academic experience in Big Data analytics & deployment of models and algorithms to solve real-world problems (with deep statistical and machine learning modelling expertise). Experience manipulating and analysing large and complex datasets. Experience in visualisation, creating graphical static and interactive displays of data that clearly communicate insight. Good interpersonal communication and presentation skills. Experience working with teams and coaching Junior and Senior Data Scientist. Real-time use case deployment and evaluation experience. Strategic and critical thinking Strong commercial acumen Data-driven decision-making Customer-centric mindset Influencing skills Innovation and adaptability Strong business acumen at Executive level We make an impact by offering: Enticing incentive programs and competitive benefit packages Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits Cell phone and data benefits, advantages fibre connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts offered in collaboration with partner companies Closing date for Applications: 01 December 2025. The base location for this role is Vodacom, Midrand Campus. 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. Vodacom is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion. #J-18808-Ljbffr