Data Scientist

Role Overview

Data Scientist at Emirates NBD, based in the Middle East region. Emirates NBD is one of the largest banks in the Middle East, with over USD 6 billion in revenues and 14,000 employees globally.

Company Overview

Emirates NBD has recently established an Advanced Analytics Centre of Excellence to drive the bank's ambitious advanced analytics agenda. The centre aims to deliver 500–800 million AED in business impact through a series of advanced analytics use cases and projects executed in collaboration with business units, and to instill a data-driven culture across the organization by building organization-wide capabilities in advanced analytics. The Centre of Excellence acts as an enabler to business units to deploy advanced analytics models, help them ideate on what is possible, prioritize ideas, and pilot and productionalize them through cross-functional analytics squads. The advanced analytics agenda is a high-visibility, high-priority initiative governed at Executive Committee level, with impact tracking, a ringfenced budget, and performance management.

Role Purpose

The Data Scientist scopes, designs, and implements machine-learning models to support use case execution and achieve overall organizational objectives and targets. The role is highly collaborative, working with product owners, business translators, data warehousing, and data engineering teams to create big data applications using structured and unstructured data, design optimal data architecture, and experiment with new machine learning techniques. The Data Scientist takes charge of end-to-end delivery of machine learning models, including regular testing and maintenance to improve efficiency and adapt to changing business needs. The role also supports translators in communicating the design, functioning, and output of analytical models and solutions, and plays a mentorship role to junior colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

Delivery and Project Management

• Scope, design, and implement machine-learning models to support business initiatives and programs in alignment with overall objectives and targets.
• Deliver a strong roadmap of advanced analytics projects in collaboration with business units.
• Take charge of end-to-end delivery of machine learning models.

Model Development and Maintenance

• Design and implement machine-learning models using structured and unstructured data.
• Regularly test and maintain analytical models to improve efficiency and keep up with changing business needs.
• Experiment with new machine learning techniques.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work collaboratively with product owners, business translators, data warehousing, and data engineering teams in creating big data applications.
• Design optimal data architecture in partnership with technical teams.
• Support translators in communicating the design, functioning, and output of analytical models and solutions developed.

Knowledge Management and Development

• Document reusable code successfully.
• Conduct knowledge sharing sessions internally within the Centre of Excellence as well as externally in meetups and conferences.
• Participate in and help plan cultural initiatives for the Centre of Excellence.
• Achieve personal technical development and learning goals.

Mentorship

• Mentor junior colleagues in execution of their duties and guide them in their professional growth.
• Foster and promote entrepreneurial spirit and curiosity amongst team members.

Qualifications & Experience

• University degree required.
• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Computer Applications, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, or related technical discipline with high analytical rigor is desirable.
• 6–8 years of experience in a data science role is essential.
• Validated experience of defining analytics roadmaps and leading analytics engagements.
• Experience in machine learning, statistics, optimization, or related fields.
• Experience working in agile environments with multiple stakeholders from the business.

Skills & Competencies

• Programming experience is a must; specifically experience in R or Python.
• Experience with large data sets, simulation, optimization, and distributed computing tools (Map/Reduce, Hadoop, Hive, Spark, etc.) is essential.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Practical and action-oriented mindset.
• Compelling communicator.
• Excellent stakeholder management.
• Team player.
• Quick learner.

Additional Information

• Emirates NBD offers flexible work policy, allowing employees to work from home whenever it suits.
• Competitive rewards, benefits, and perks are provided.
• Significant professional development opportunities available to accelerate career growth.