Data Scientist

Job Title: Data Scientist

Term: 10 - 12 months

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Division: Cards

Reports to: TBC

PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

We are seeking a Data Analyst / Data Scientist with strong experience in the banking or payments industry to support data-driven decision-making and business optimisation. The role involves end-to-end analytical responsibilities, including data wrangling, validation, and preparation of large transactional datasets, as well as statistical modelling, customer scoring, segmentation, A/B testing, and campaign performance analysis.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with a high level of attention to detail to ensure data accuracy and reliability across systems. The role requires the ability to translate complex system and transaction data into clear, actionable insights, dashboards, and management reports that drive business outcomes.

Core Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Perform hands-on data analysis and data science activities within the banking or payments domain, including data wrangling, statistical modelling, segmentation, scoring, A/B testing, and campaign performance analysis.
• Validate, reconcile, and review system and transaction data to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability of analytical outputs and reports.
• Analyse complex datasets and translate insights into clear, actionable dashboards, reports, and recommendations that support business and operational decision-making.
• Collaborate effectively with technical teams and business stakeholders, communicating analytical findings in a clear and structured manner to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Present analytical results to management, highlight risks and opportunities, and recommend corrective actions or optimization strategies to improve performance and outcomes.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Experience with modelling, segmentation, customer lifecycle analysis, campaign effectiveness measurement, and credit scoring.
• SQL, Python, SAS (for modelling and analysis), Advanced Excel, PowerPoint
• Tableau, Power BI
• Strong communication skills, to collaborate closely with technical teams and present findings to non-technical stakeholders and senior management.
• Effectively recommending corrective actions and optimization strategies based on analytical insights to improve performance and efficiency.

Mandatory Skills:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Economics, Business, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Analytics, or a related field.
• Previous experience within Banking, Payment & Card solutions, or the FinTech industry.
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation) in English; proficiency in Arabic is an advantage.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience with KSA/GCC banks is preferred but not mandatory.
• Good understanding of payment systems, digital platforms, APIs, system workflows, security basics, and industry technologies.
• An understanding of regional regulations across financial services or payment networks.