Director of Data Science (DDS001)

Foreground is partnering with a fast-growing Qatari fintech platform to appoint a technically rigorous, commercially aware, and product-oriented Director of Data Science , based in Doha. The company is transforming the financial services landscape through smart credit, payments, and embedded finance solutions designed around underserved market segments. This appointment will serve as a strategic driver of the organizations data intelligence capabilities, embedded within its product and technology leadership.

Role Purpose

To lead the design, deployment, and institutionalization of data science and machine learning capabilities that power the platforms core functions from credit risk and fraud analytics to personalized user experiences and real-time decision-making engines.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead the data science roadmap across the organization, embedding data-driven intelligence into lending models, product development, customer engagement, and operational optimization.
• Build and mentor a multidisciplinary team of data scientists, ML engineers, and quantitative analysts, while establishing governance protocols around model quality, explainability, and deployment cadence.
• Develop, test, and implement advanced predictive models for credit scoring, fraud detection, behavioral segmentation, pricing, and churn prediction.
• Oversee the development of data pipelines and infrastructure in close collaboration with software engineering and DevOps teams, ensuring scalability, privacy, and performance.
• Partner with business units to identify and prioritize use cases that unlock commercial value and improve user experience.
• Define and manage data science KPIs that support product performance, risk mitigation, and internal forecasting models.
• Ensure full compliance with Qatari data regulations, central bank expectations, and industry-specific AI governance frameworks.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 12+ years of experience in applied data science or machine learning, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within fintech, digital platforms, or product-led environments.
• Demonstrated success building and scaling data science functions in fast-paced, tech-driven organizations.
• Strong proficiency in Python, SQL, Spark, and ML libraries (e.g., Scikit-learn, XGBoost, TensorFlow); familiarity with cloud-based data platforms (AWS, Azure).
• Masters or PhD in Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or related quantitative discipline.
• Deep knowledge of the financial services ecosystem in MENA; experience working within regulatory environments is strongly preferred.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the ability to translate technical insights into strategic outcomes for both internal and external stakeholders.