Data Science & Advanced Analytics Lead

Surge Global is a digital consultancy that leverages marketing, data, and technology to help businesses grow. As Sri Lanka’s leading digital firm, we employ the best content, creative, design, and engineering talent the country has to offer.

Embracing a culture of transparency and equality in the workplace, we’ve built an environment that helps Sri Lanka’s best marketing and creative talent thrive. Our team approaches complex, multivariate challenges with an open mind and a strong willingness to continuously test, learn, and innovate.

With our headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, we support and scale startups to Fortune 500 companies across the United States, Europe, Australia, Middle East, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Sri Lanka.

The Data Science & Advanced Analytics Lead will combine strategic vision with hands-on expertise to lead the design, development and deployment of advanced analytics, AI, machine learning and optimization solutions that generate predictive insights, solve complex business challenges and embed intelligence into decision-making.

The role will act as a catalyst for innovation and analytics maturity, partnering with senior leadership and technology teams to position Data Science & Advanced Analytics as a core driver of business growth, operational excellence and competitive advantage across the organisation.

Responsibilities:

• Shape and execute the organisation’s Data Science & Advanced Analytics strategy, aligning initiatives with business priorities and long-term growth objectives.
• Provide leadership to advance analytics maturity and establish data science as a core strategic capability across the organisation.
• Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of advanced analytics, machine learning, AI and optimization models, from ideation and experimentation through deployment, operationalization and continuous improvement.
• Ensure analytical models and solutions are scalable, robust, explainable and capable of delivering measurable business outcomes.
• Identify and drive opportunities to apply advanced analytics and AI across products, services, customer experiences, risk, operations and other strategic areas.
• Drive innovation by evaluating, piloting and operationalizing emerging data science and AI technologies relevant to the banking industry.
• Partner with business leaders, product owners and cross-functional teams to translate business challenges into data-driven solutions and actionable insights.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, influencing strategic decisions and driving adoption of advanced analytics across the organisation.
• Collaborate with Data Engineering, Data Architecture and IT teams to ensure access to high-quality, governed data and fit-for-purpose analytical platforms.
• Advocate for the appropriate infrastructure, tools, platforms and MLOps capabilities required to scale advanced analytics.
• Build, mentor and develop a high-performing Data Science team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, continuous learning and delivery excellence.
• Champion professional development and knowledge sharing across the Data & Advanced Analytics Centre of Excellence, while building a strong talent pipeline through industry and academic partnerships.
• Ensure appropriate model governance, compliance, risk management and regulatory requirements are embedded across the model lifecycle.
• Embed responsible and ethical AI principles, transparency and explainability into model development and deployment practices.

Educational Qualifications:

• A Master’s Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Advanced Analytics, Statistics & Mathematics, Information Technology or a related field.
• Professional certifications in Data Science, AI, Machine Learning or a related discipline will be an added advantage.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in Data Science, Advanced Analytics, Computer Science, Machine Learning, AI or a related field.
• Proven experience in leading and delivering end-to-end Data Science and Advanced Analytics initiatives.
• Experience in leading, mentoring or managing Data Science teams and projects will be an added advantage.
• Experience in a banking or financial services environment will be an added advantage.

Core Competencies:

• Advanced Machine Learning & AI
• Advanced Analytics & Optimization
• End-to-End Analytics Solution Delivery
• MLOps & Model Development
• Business & Strategic Acumen
• Data-Driven Problem Solving
• Strategic Thinking & Vision
• Innovation & Change Leadership
• Team & Talent Development
• Data Storytelling & Stakeholder Communication
• Model Governance & Responsible AI

•Strong Collaboration & Influencing Skills