Head of Data and Analytics

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants Applications are invited for the Head of Data Systems and Analytics position to be based in Stellenbosch. This person will report into the Business Systems Manager. About the Role The Head of Data and Analytics will lead our data and analytics function and drive innovation across the organization through advanced analytics, machine learning, and data‑driven insights. As a senior leader, you will be responsible for building and scaling a high‑performing data and analytics team, shaping our data strategy, and delivering actionable insights that influence key business decisions. Key Performance Areas Leadership & Strategy Define and execute the data roadmap in alignment with company goals. Lead, mentor, and grow a team of data scientists, data engineers, and data analysts. Collaborate cross‑functionally with Technology, Commercial, Network, Finance, and Operations teams to prioritize and implement data initiatives. Technical Excellence Oversee the development and deployment of machine learning models and advanced analytics solutions. Ensure best practices in data science methodologies, experimentation, and model governance. Drive innovation in AI/ML by staying up to date with industry trends and emerging technologies. Business Impact Translate complex data into strategic insights that drive business performance. Measure and communicate the value and ROI of data projects. Identify new opportunities to leverage data for product enhancements, customer insights, operational efficiencies, and competitive advantage. Data Infrastructure & Governance Ensure scalable, reliable, and secure data pipelines and infrastructure. Promote data quality, privacy, and ethical use of AI across the organization. Key Outputs Ensure daily/weekly/monthly reports are delivered to business stakeholders. Report issues to data stakeholders. Coordinate with team members and other departments (where applicable) to troubleshoot any data issues or discrepancies. Work Experience The successful candidate must have the following experience/skills: 8+ years related work experience in data science. 3+ years in a leadership role. Excellent communication skills with the ability to present technical findings to non‑technical stakeholders. Strong business acumen and problem‑solving skills. Strong background in statistical modelling, machine learning, data mining, and predictive analytics. Proven experience managing end‑to‑end data science projects from ideation to production, managing the complete machine learning lifecycle with tools such as MLflow or Weights & Biases. Experience with event streaming services such as Kafka, Kinesis, Azure Event Hubs. Proficiency in Python, R, SQL, and common ML frameworks (e.g., scikit‑learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch). Experience working with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure) and data tools (e.g., Spark, Airflow, DBT, Purview). Qualifications Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field. If interested and meet all requirements, please submit your CV with contactable references. Please Note Preference will be given to Previously Disadvantaged Individual candidates, in line with Herotel Business’ Employment Equity Plan. Submission of your CV provides Herotel Business with your express consent for us to process your personal information contained therein, for purposes of processing your application. Please refer to our Privacy Policy on our website for further information on how we process personal information. If you do not hear from us within 14 days, please deem your application as unsuccessful. #J-18808-Ljbffr