Senior Data Scientist

Business Unit: Vitality RSA

Function: Data Sciences

Date: 3 Oct 2024

Discovery Vitality RSA

Senior Data Scientist

About Discovery

Discovery’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.

Discovery Vitality RSA

Discovery Vitality is seeking an exceptional Senior Data Scientist to join the Vitality Analytics department. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to report directly to the Chief Actuary of Vitality and contribute to the strategic enhancement of Vitality’s member engagement and personalization initiatives.

Key Purpose

The ideal candidate will be tasked with the strategic implementation of AI technologies to advance the Vitality business. Emphasizing the deployment of Machine Learning and, notably, Large Language Models (LLMs), the role is designed to increase member engagement and refine personalization strategies. This individual will play a key role in leveraging the robust capabilities of Vitality’s Microsoft Azure platform, combined with the sophisticated analytics of Databricks, to propel innovative solutions across the organization.

Areas of responsibility may include but not limited to:

Extracting insights from complex data sets using advanced statistical methods, machine learning algorithms, and predictive modeling
Operationalizing artificial intelligence solutions, including the development and deployment of large language models (LLMs) to enhance business processes
Working closely with various departments to understand business needs and translate them into data-driven strategies
Working with Vitality’s Head of BI, Data Architect and Data Engineers to enhance Vitality’s data products and AI platform
Staying abreast of the latest industry trends and technologies, conducting research to drive innovation within the company
Contribute to the compilation of reports and presentations for the Vitality Exco, Vitality Board, Discovery Board and Group Exco.
Develop and leverage key working relationships with various stakeholders across the business to support the aims of the organization.
Mentor, support and train junior analysts.

Behavioural Skills & Competencies

The following competencies and behavioural indicators are relevant to the position:

Strong sense of ownership and drive
Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyse, and disseminate information simply and effectively.
Strong ability to work with, analyse and communicate findings from data (top-down verbal and written communication).
A passion for delivering results with a sense of urgency for rapid action.
Excellent time-management skills with the ability to prioritize deliverables and manage stakeholder expectations.
Well-versed in the ability to disaggregate issues and problem-solving.
A critical thinker who is curious and eager to know “why.”
Creative and innovative.
Comfortable adapting and responding to change and a fast-paced environment.
Strong abilities in dealing with unstructured problems and complex environments.
Excellent attention to detail.
Good writing and reporting skills.
Good people skills and situational awareness.
Ability to cope with business pressures and setbacks.
Ability to think with a commercial and growth mindset.
Good sense of materiality with the ability to put things into perspective.

Qualification & Experience

Bachelor of Science degree in Actuarial Science, Statistics or Data Science, with an Honours degree would be advantageous.
5-8 years’ worth of relevant work experience
Advanced proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and MS Outlook and SQL
Advanced experience in Python and R
Data engineering experience would be advantageous
Ability to communicate technical complexity to a non-technical audience.
An interest in Behavioural Science and analysing large datasets.
Desire to teach and grow more junior members.

Employment Equity

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.

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY

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.