Principal Data Scientist

Role Overview

Principal Data Scientist at wasl, Property Management department, reporting to Head – PM Strategy Hub.

Role Purpose

The Principal Data Scientist serves as the technical authority for advanced analytics and data science within Property Management, leading the design and deployment of machine learning, AI, and predictive analytics solutions that deliver measurable business value. The role translates strategic business priorities into scalable data products, establishes robust analytical practices, and provides technical leadership and mentorship to data science practitioners across key initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Analytics Leadership

• Lead the design, development, validation, and deployment of advanced machine learning, AI, statistical, and predictive analytics solutions.
• Translate complex business requirements into analytical frameworks, models, and measurable data science solutions.
• Develop scalable data products that address Property Management priorities and support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Evaluate emerging AI, machine learning, and analytics technologies and recommend opportunities for practical application within Property Management.

Technical Standards & Quality

• Establish technical standards for model development, validation, coding, documentation, and analytical quality.
• Develop reusable, modular, and production-grade analytical code to support scalability and long-term maintainability.
• Implement appropriate data and model quality controls to ensure accuracy, reliability, and consistency of analytical outputs.
• Define and monitor KPIs to measure the performance, adoption, and business impact of data products.

Data Analysis & Insights

• Analyze large and complex datasets to identify patterns, trends, risks, opportunities, and business drivers.
• Translate analytical outputs into clear business insights and recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Design effective approaches for communicating complex insights to business and senior stakeholders.

Integration & Deployment

• Integrate analytical models and data products into business processes and existing technology environments.
• Partner with IT, business teams, and other stakeholders to ensure effective deployment and adoption of analytics solutions.

Governance & Compliance

• Champion appropriate data governance, security, privacy, and regulatory requirements in collaboration with IT, Legal, and Compliance.

Mentorship & Continuous Improvement

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to data scientists and analytics professionals without formal people-management responsibility.
• Support continuous improvement of analytics methodologies, tools, processes, and delivery practices.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, Mathematics, or a related discipline from a recognized university.
• 7–10 years of relevant data science and advanced analytics experience, including 3–5 years in a senior technical leadership or managerial capacity.
• Strong track record in applied machine learning, predictive analytics, statistical modelling, and delivery of production-grade data products.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex data science initiatives across multiple business areas.
• Experience providing technical leadership, coaching, or mentorship to data science professionals.
• Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, or a related discipline (desirable).
• Experience in real estate, property management, asset management, pricing optimization, or marketing analytics (desirable).
• Experience with Agile delivery methodologies and project management tools such as Jira (desirable).

Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Python, R, SQL, or comparable analytical and programming technologies.
• Advanced capability in statistical analysis and modelling: design and validate advanced statistical, machine learning, and AI models for complex business applications.
• Advanced capability in forecasting and predictive analytics: develop and oversee predictive models and forecasts to support planning and decision-making.
• Advanced understanding of data collection and cleaning: define data preparation, validation, and quality standards for analytical solutions.
• Strong understanding of model validation, data quality, scalability, and integration of analytics solutions into business environments.
• Intermediate capability in survey and experimental design: apply experimentation and testing methodologies to validate analytical hypotheses and business interventions.
• Experience with business intelligence and visualization platforms (desirable).
• Exposure to cloud analytics, machine learning platforms, MLOps, or generative AI solutions (desirable).

Professional Competencies

• Advanced business insight generation: translate complex analytical findings into strategic, commercially relevant recommendations.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate business problems into analytical solutions and measurable outcomes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, stakeholder management, and communication skills.

Additional Information

Reporting & Authority

• Reports to Head – PM Strategy Hub.
• Operates as a senior individual functional expert responsible for technically complex and high-impact data science initiatives.
• Exercises significant professional judgment in selecting analytical approaches, methodologies, model architectures, and technical solutions.
• Provides technical recommendations that influence Property Management strategy, operational decisions, and analytics practices.
• Leads complex data science projects and provides technical direction to multidisciplinary project teams without formal line-management responsibility.
• Escalates significant data, technology, governance, or business risks to the Head – PM Strategy Hub.

Staffing

• Direct Reports: 0
• Total Reports: 0

Internal & External Relationships

• Internal: Head – PM Strategy Hub, Property Management leadership, IT, Strategic Planning and Analytics, Finance, Asset Management, and other business functions as required.
• External: Technology and analytics vendors, service providers, specialist consultants, and other external organizations as required.

Financial Responsibilities

• No direct budget ownership.
• Supports evaluation of analytics technology, vendor, and solution requirements to ensure appropriate business value and cost effectiveness.
• Contributes to measurable financial and operational benefits through data-driven optimization, forecasting, and decision support.