Head of Data
First seen by Alion on Sep 8, 2026.
Role Overview:
We are seeking a visionary Head of Data to lead our data transformation journey within the fast-paced Nigerian FinTech landscape. In this role, you will serve as the strategic bridge between complex data architecture and actionable business intelligence, overseeing the end-to-end data lifecycle from ingestion to predictive modeling. You will work closely with the executive leadership team, product managers, and engineering squads to foster a data-driven culture that informs critical financial decisions. By spearheading our data strategy, you will directly influence the scalability of our financial products, enhance fraud detection capabilities, and improve the overall user experience for millions of customers across the region.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and implement a robust data strategy that aligns with our long-term business objectives to ensure high availability and integrity of financial data.
- Lead the development of scalable data architectures and machine learning pipelines to automate credit scoring and risk assessment processes.
- Establish comprehensive data governance frameworks to ensure strict compliance with local financial regulations and global data privacy standards.
- Mentor and scale a high-performing team of data scientists and analysts to drive innovation in product personalization and customer lifecycle management.
- Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to translate complex business requirements into technical solutions that drive revenue growth and operational efficiency.
Required Skillset:
- Demonstrated expertise in architecting large-scale data platforms using Python and SQL, with a proven ability to manage complex data ecosystems in a high-growth environment.
- Advanced proficiency in applying machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to solve real-world financial challenges, such as churn prediction or anomaly detection.
- Strong leadership capabilities with the ability to communicate complex technical insights to non-technical stakeholders and influence executive-level decision-making.
- Deep understanding of data governance, security, and quality management practices within the highly regulated FinTech or banking sector.
- Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, hybrid work environment, demonstrating agility in navigating the unique operational challenges of the Nigerian market.
- A Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field is preferred, complemented by 7 - 10 years of progressive experience in data-centric roles.
Skills
Data Science, Data Analytics, Data Management, Machine Learning, Data Governance, Data Architect, Python, SQL