Lead Data Scientist: Model Validation

Recruiter:

Network Recruitment

Job Ref:

NFP016405/CL

Date posted:

Monday, December 1, 2025

Location:

Stellenbosch, South Africa

SUMMARY:
If you’re the kind of Data Scientist who gets a kick out of pulling models apart, stress-testing them, and making sure they behave like they should > this one’s going to catch your eye. This is a brilliant opportunity to join a well-known financial services organisation that’s big on innovation, people growth and using smart tech to build better client experiences. They’re pushing hard into advanced AI and machine learning, and they need someone who can help them validate and challenge the models that drive major decisions across the business.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities:

Lead and deliver independent model validations across credit, finance, fraud risk and optimization models.
Provide technical subject-matter expertise on AI and machine learning model review, governance, and risk management.
Design and implement challenger models using advanced ML techniques.
Offer mentorship, guidance, and technical oversight to analysts in the team.

Job Experience and Skills Required:

Honors Degree (Masters preferred) in Mathematics, Statistics, or Data Science.
6+ years’ experience in model development within Data Science, with exposure to model validation or technical review.
Strong background in ML techniques such as tree-based methods, neural networks, clustering and anomaly detection.
Experience designing and delivering end-to-end ML projects.
Comfortable presenting and defending model findings to developers and senior stakeholders.
Experience having your own models validated, or validating models directly.
Solid knowledge of advanced ML and statistical modelling.
Data mining and predictive modelling skills.

Apply now!

For more exciting Finance vacancies, please visit: I also specialize in recruiting in the following:

Actuarial
Product Development
Pricing
Valuations
Credit Risk
Market Risk

If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider the vacancy application unsuccessful. Your profile will be kept on our database for any other suitable roles / positions.

For more information, contact:
Chanél Lubbe
Specialist Recruitment Consultant in Actuarial & Analytics

Connect with me on LinkedIn!

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