Data & Analytics Lead (Africa) at KPMG

Position Summary

We seek an experienced individual with a strong track record in building AI, ML and Deep Learning algorithms to help our clients harness the power of data. This is a Pan Africa role with responsibility for leading a team across the continent. This resource will be based in either Joburg, Nairobi or Lagos.

Key roles and responsibilities:
Strategy:

•  Provide technical data & analytics support to the Africa digital transformation team.
•  Leverage regional alliances with technology partners (e.g., Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, AWS, Google, etc.) to drive proactive leads generation, joint pitch, pipeline management and conversions as they relate to data analytics.
•  Work with relevant functional areas and service lines across the Firm to deliver on client engagement and sales initiatives.
•  Leverage local and global KPMG artefacts, SMEs, and other network assets to advance the firm’s data & analytics agenda.
•  Manage, coach and grow the ML engineering and data science team.
•  Embed data & AI in everything we do – meaning that you will also be responsible for exploring and improving collaboration with different competences within KPMG.

Client Impact:

•  Drive business growth of the Data & Analytics business across Africa through expansion of ML engineering pipeline and wins at leading clients.
•  Oversee data management, warehousing, integration, and migration; business intelligence; analytics; and delivery across advisory and technical projects.
•  Lead the development and implementation of data and advanced analytics strategies for clients across Africa.
•  Develop ML and Deep Learning algorithms that help clients improve their predictive capabilities significantly.
•  Design, develop, maintain and improve machine learning algorithms for the clients' products.
•  Help clients to employ machine learning principles in making business decisions.
•  Test and evaluate machine learning models and algorithms on real-world data sets.
•  Collaborate with the D & A team to build data pipelines, implement and train models based on results of experiments.
•  Interact with business leaders and functional experts to understand current and future business challenges and needs and help with solutioning.
•  Provide subject matter expertise on data-related topics as well as consultative guidance for data management and governance.
•  Develop data models that improve processes and add strategic value to the client’s business.
•  Stay up to date with industry trends and emerging technologies in data and analytics to ensure we provide clients with the latest and most effective solutions.
•  Work closely with clients to understand business needs and develop tailored solutions.
•  Strengthen KPMG’s share of mind in the D & A space through impactful thought leadership.

Finance:

•  Deliver on targets and goals (including sales goals)
•  Provide annual budget input for the area of responsibility for approval and integration into service line/ growth area budget.
•  Manage the annual budget, including costs for designated area.

Academic/Professional qualifications and Experience:

•  Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics or a related field.
•  Deep knowledge of programming languages and frameworks such as Python, Java, C++, R, and SQL.
•  Minimum of 10 years of experience in AI and ML engineering with a proven track record of delivering successful projects
•  Deep hands-on experience with modern Data & AI Platforms such as Azure, AWS or GCP.
•  Practical experience with tools like Git/Github for version control, Jenkins for continuous integration, and Docker for containerization.
•  Deep understanding of data and analytics technologies, including data warehousing, data integration and data visualization.
•  Good understanding of statistics, probability theory, and computer science fundamentals like algorithms and data structures.
•  Pre-sales experience with OEMs or consulting experience will be an added advantage.

Personal attributes:

•  Demonstrate commercial awareness with sound knowledge of matters affecting the market.
•  Demonstrate curiosity around innovation, managing emerging technologies, driving business performance through technology.
•  Enthusiastic approach to work, well developed management, and supervisory skills.
•  Entrepreneurial mind-set and ability to identify opportunities and develop high quality proposals.
•  Displays curiosity and innovation and possesses welldeveloped problem-solving abilities and strong analytical skills.
•  Being a self-starter and able to work independently including across multiple priorities and complex matrixed roles and responsibilities.
•  Confident, tactful and able to effectively influence others and deal effectively with senior leaders.
•  Strong communicator, including listening skills with an ability to translate insights across business and technology teams and  to develop and present new ideas and conceptualize new approaches and solutions.
•  Able to connect with the right complimentary people in KPMG to tackle new and complex business problems with a data flavor.
•  Strong team and work ethic, comfortable with ambiguity, change and challenge.
•  The ideal candidate must be able to provide support to various management and leadership levels, as well as work well independently.