Data Scientist

About the Role / About the Job
The company is one of the largest banks in the Middle East, with over USD 6Bn in revenues and 14,000 employees globally. As part of its strategic mandate, the bank has recently set up its Advanced Analytics Centre of Excellence (CoE) to drive its ambitious advanced analytics agenda.

Core objectives of the center include:

• Deliver 500-800 Mn AED business impact through various advanced analytics projects executed in collaboration with the business units (BUs)
• Instill a data-driven culture across the company by building organization-wide capabilities in advanced analytics

The CoE acts as an enabler for the BUs to deploy advanced analytics models, guiding them to ideate on possibilities, prioritize ideas, and pilot and productionalize them through cross-functional analytics squads. The CoE houses highly skilled data scientists, data engineers, and digital talent integral to executing advanced analytics projects. The agenda is a high-visibility and high-priority initiative, governed at ExCo level, including impact tracking, a ring-fenced budget, and performance management.

Job Purpose

• Scope, design, and implement machine-learning models to support use case execution with the aim of achieving overall objectives and targets.
• Collaborate with product owners, business translators, data warehousing, and data engineering teams to create big data applications utilizing structured and unstructured data, designing optimal data architecture, and experimenting with new machine learning techniques.
• Manage the end-to-end delivery of machine learning models, including regular testing and maintenance to improve efficiency and adapt to changing business needs.
• Support Translators in communicating the design, functioning, and output of developed analytical models/solutions.
• Mentor junior colleagues, guiding their execution of duties and professional development.

Job Content

• Deliver a strong roadmap of advanced analytics projects in collaboration with Business Units.
• Design and implement machine-learning models to support various initiatives and programs aimed at achieving overall objectives and targets.
• Ensure successful documentation of reusable code.
• Achieve personal technical development and learning goals.
• Conduct knowledge-sharing sessions internally within the CoE and externally at meetups and conferences.
• Participate in and help plan cultural initiatives for the CoE.

Qualifications
Education

• University degree
• Advanced degree (MS/Ph.D) in Computer Applications, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline with strong analytical rigor is desirable.

Experience

• 6-8 years of experience in a data science role is essential.

Knowledge & Skills

• Validated experience in defining analytics roadmaps and leading analytics engagements.
• Experience in machine learning, statistics, optimization, or related fields is required.
• Proficient in programming, specifically R or Python.
• Experience working with large datasets, simulation/optimization, and distributed computing tools (Map/Reduce, Hadoop, Hive, Spark, etc.) is essential.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working in agile environments with multiple stakeholders from the business.

Behavioral Competencies

• Practical and action-oriented
• Compelling communicator
• Excellent stakeholder management skills
• Foster and promote entrepreneurial spirit and curiosity among team members
• Team player
• Quick learner

Benefits
Joining the company means being part of one of the region’s most recognizable brands and banking innovation leaders. We offer a wide range of professional development opportunities to accelerate your career along with competitive rewards, benefits, and perks, including a flexible work policy that allows you to work from home as needed.