Data Science Lead, East & West Africa at Nielsen Company

The Company is seeking an innovative, experienced and results-oriented Data Science Leader for our business in East and West Africa (EWA). The individual will lead a team of data science professionals to effectively service and support client organizations in various sectors across the EWA region. This is an exciting career opportunity with key responsibility for building strong client relationships; developing a professional team of associates and making a positive impact on client organizations and the Nielsen business.

Principal Duties and responsibilities

• Lead the Data Science teams in East and West Africa through applying statistical expertise to resolve client issues and challenges and providing direction on key priority areas aligned to client needs and expectations.
• Demonstrate a keen understanding of clients’ strategic direction and needs for insights, to support business planning and provide understanding and advice on client challenges and issues.
• Provide statistical practice development advice to deliver integrated market research solutions to clients in order to offer a holistic picture of consumer behaviour and trends.
• Provide statistical inputs for the development of new projects or services including helping design and work on pilot projects and other product and service development initiatives.
• Ensure the implementation of all approved statistical models or systems based on global and regional or sub-regional directions aligned to the company’s operating policies and procedures.
• Drive innovation through creative solutions that result in new ways of providing profitable, value-added products and services to clients.
• Consistently provide the highest quality products and services that meet the needs and requirements of internal and external clients.
• Significantly contribute to clients’ business needs and expectations ensuring a high degree of client satisfaction and strong internal and external business partnerships.
• Educate clients and senior management on statistical capabilities in solving client issues and on statistical issues that cut cross businesses and functions.
•  Provide high standards of professionalism within the data science team ensuring delivery of compelling solutions for client requests and issues.
•  Mentor, coach and develop strong talent, ensuring high levels of engagement and a professional team environment focused on exceeding internal and external client requirements.
•  Create opportunities for cross functional integration and synchronization and promote inter-departmental communication and teamwork.

Knowledge and skills required

• University degree in Statistics, Marketing, Operations Research or a business related field; postgraduate degree or MBA is preferred but not mandatory.
• Minimum of 10 -12 years working experience in Market Research, Data Science or Business Analytics, Marketing or Client Servicing preferably in the FMCG sector but not mandatory.
• Strong business acumen, strategic perspective and good knowledge of market dynamics.
• Expert knowledge of research techniques and methodologies as well as analysis tools.
• Strong analytical and statistical skills with the ability to interpret trends and patterns from sizeable data sets.
• Expertise in understanding and resolving clients issues through statistical analysis of data.
• Excellent client engagement, influencing and presentation skills
• Good organisational skills; strong leadership and people management skills with a demonstrated track record in effectively leading and developing teams.
• Preferably good knowledge and some understanding of Nielsen products and service offerings.