Venture Garden Group is an Investment Holding Company that incubates, invests in and operates early revenue, technology companies implementing proven I.T. solutions that transform companies and governmental organizations in emerging markets to high performing establishments.

With a sector focused approach, our portfolio companies develop automated data collection, data management, automated billing processing, e-invoicing, payment processing, automated direct debit processing and revenue management solutions for emerging markets, particularly Africa.

BI Senior Data Scientist

Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: MBA/MSc/MA
Experience: 5 years
Location: Lagos
Job Field: ICT / Computer
Position Description: The ideal candidate is an unabashed data geek. You enjoy searching the Internet for datasets that you can explore and mash up to tell interesting stories. You view the skills you have at sourcing, collecting, and cleaning data as a means to an end; you are equally interested gleaning insights from the data that have business application. You probably have developed these skills through a combination of education, work experience and hobbies. If this describes you, we are interested! And if you have what it takes to build a multi-billion dollar company, and are interested in using your skills, experience and talents to be a part of groundbreaking thinking and visionary goals, we so so want you…!!!

Position Purpose: The Senior Data Scientist anticipates future business needs and identifies opportunities for complex analysis; Gathers and analyzes data to solve and address highly complex business problems and evaluate scenarios to make predictions on future outcomes and support decision making.

Key Responsibilities:

As a Senior Data Scientist, you’ll take the lead as you…

Interpret problems and provide solutions to business problems using data analysis, data mining, optimization tools, and machine learning techniques and statistics.
Design and deploy data-science and technology based algorithmic solutions to address business needs of the Company.
Utilize recommender systems, collaborative filtering techniques, propensity modeling to drive the Company’s business priorities.
Research and design technical infrastructure for applications.
Research, develop, and implement enterprise-wide architectural concepts, principles and tools.
Assess business viability of new technologies.
Consult with other senior level IT managers to assess and evaluate current strategies.
Make recommendations, gain approval and develop implementation strategy for new technologies.
Act as advocate for change to provide innovative, creative technology solutions.
Prepare and deliver presentations to top-level management on new technology and its impact on the organization.
Stay abreast of the latest technology infrastructure and processes in the industry and marketplace.
Make recommendations to use innovative, creative approaches as appropriate to meet client needs; contribute to the achievement of multiple teams’ objectives.
Collaborate and communicate with software developers in the translation of research model to production code.
Collaborate and communicate with data integration teams when data quality issues are discovered.
Required Experience

Advanced degree in Applied Statistics, Computer Science (Machine Learning), or related field (Masters required, PhD preferred).
5 years demonstrated ability to employ analytic software tools, statistical methodologies, and Business Intelligence to large data sets residing within relational or object oriented databases.
Experience with advanced data mining and predictive modeling algorithms and techniques for regression, classification, survival modeling, time series, feature selection, etc.
Experience in statistical inference and analytic techniques.
Experience with using R for modeling, including developing R scripts.
Experience with modeling and analysis of large datasets.
Experience with a scripting language like Python, Perl.
Strong communication and presentation skills; experience in communicating results of statistical analysis and modeling to a broad audience.
Hadoop and Map/Reduce experience is a strong plus
Personality Traits

Should have statistical, mathematical, predictive modelling as well as business strategy skills to build the algorithms necessary to ask the right questions and find the right answers.
Very curious people, and enjoys diving deep into the material to find an answer to a yet unknown question.
Natural desire to go beneath the surface of a problem.
Obsessive about data and data visualization!
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Being able to work in a fast-paced multidisciplinary environment.
Having the ability to query databases and perform statistical analysis.
Having an, at least basic, understanding of how a business and strategy works.
Being able to create examples, prototypes, demonstrations to help management better understand the work.
A keen eye for detail, ability to work under pressure and deliver time-sensitive work to a high standard.
Ability to explain analysis to non-numerate people & great relationship building skills.
A believer in patterns and importance they play in decision-making. Able to extract trends and insights and from complex and often incomplete data sets.
Exceptional programming skills (Python, REST, SQL, R, APIs, etc.) and someone who gets excited by code and algorithm design.
A professional manner with the ability to closely interact with senior management.
Chief Financial Officer

Job Type
Qualification: BA/BSc/HND MBA/MSc/MA
Experience: 10 years
Location: Lagos
Job Field: Finance / Accounting / Audit
Job Description



Position Description: Are you someone who is regarded as a whiz, a super hero with figures and calculations? Do you easily interpret financial data and make sound forecasts – smell the rain from miles away. Are you so strict on enforcing controls and compliance you sometimes come across as being ‘pinchpenny’ A Financial and Accounting guru that has what it takes to run the finance of a multi-billion dollar company, making sound financial decisions that has the power to affect Investors funds? We want you and if you have what it takes to build a multi-billion dollar company, we so so want you…!!!

Position Purpose: To oversee all project finance, accounting, forecasting, budgeting, Audit, Tax, corporate Insurance and investor -related functions with Venture Garden Nigeria and all its Entities; directs all financial activities and advises and assists the CEO and management team in meeting or exceeding the overall financial and strategic objectives of the Company.



Key Responsibilities:



Strategy Function



The CFO plays a key strategic role in developing, monitoring and evaluating overall corporate strategy with the CEO or MD and leaders of the various business units (entities) with emphasis on bottom line performance, working capital and enhancing shareholder value. This position will provide useful financial insights to help make better decisions about formulating and executing strategy.




The CFO will interact effectively with other subsidiaries in the group; He establishes himself and is viewed as a trusted business advisor by merchandisers, not just the CEO or MD. Critical outcomes include supporting the executive team with key financial information and operational analytics, and driving a culture of accountability in managing the business, adding value to operating businesses and voicing well-substantiated dissenting opinions. He performs his strategic function by fulfilling the following essential duties and responsibilities:




He plays an integral part in formulating strategy, challenging and assessing strategy, monitoring for risks, investment, rates of return and assessing the competitive landscape.
He assists in formulating the company’s future direction and supporting tactical initiatives
Monitors and directs the implementation of strategic business plans, financial and tax strategies
Develops performance measures that supports the company’s strategic direction
Proactively manage cash flows in a leveraged environment
Manages financial capital; communicates capital requirements/implications of business decisions to CEO, merchandisers and BOD
Conducts meaningful proactive analysis to improve key business decisions focusing on management of working capital
Manages the accounting, finance, and investor relations departments
Ensures efficient capital expenditures and minimizes taxes
He defines the financial strategy
Provides useful financial insights to help make better decisions about formulating and executing business strategy
Establishes internal control processes required to manage and grow the business
Drives the annual budget process and monthly reporting
Manages and leads the organization in creating a competitive advantage for all company businesses or products
Effectively leads the finance / accounting team by hiring and retaining top-grade talent
Develops and coaches existing team and proactively replaces underperformers as required
Drives effective internal and external communication interactions
Effectively manages sponsors, banks, board of director and financial advisor relationships
As a true business partner to the CEO/MD, he assesses organizational performance against both the annual budget and company’s long-term strategy.
He develops tools and system to provide critical financial and operational information to the CEO/MD and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations.
Engages the board finance, audit, and investment committees around issues, trends, and changes in the operating model(s) and operational delivery.
Assists in establishing yearly objectives and meeting agendas, and selecting and engaging outside consultants (auditors, investment advisors).
Oversees long-term budgetary planning and costs management in alignment with the company’s strategic plan, especially as the organization considers new business ventures, potential acquisitions, and collaborations with external organizations.




Executive Management Function



Serves as a member of executive leadership team in ensuring business decisions taken are grounded in sound financial criteria.
Participates in key decision making pertaining to strategic initiatives, operating model and operational execution.
Represents the organization’s progress on strategic goals to external stakeholders


Financial Planning and Analysis Function

Prepares and maintains regular financial planning reports; Monthly profit and loss forecast by division (vs. budget); Weekly cash flow forecast.
Completes analysis of financial results; Develops recommendations (strategic and tactical).
Develops and executes analysis of various business initiatives (e.g., opening new operations, asset acquisition, new service or product launches).
Develops and maintains capital budget.
Assists in development of financial planning and analysis exercises/reports.
Participates in correspondences with Lenders.




Finance Function



Oversees cash flow planning and ensure availability of funds as needed
Oversees cash, investments and asset management
Oversees Financing strategies and activities as well as banking relationships
Develops and utilizes forward looking predictive models and activity based financial analyses to provide insight into the organization’s operations and business plans




Planning, Policy and Investor Relations



Provides financial vision and leadership for all the subsidiaries in the group
Responsible for the financial aspects of risk assessment and abatement, strategic planning and new program development
Coordinates the development and monitoring of all budgets
Develop financial business plans and forecasts
Participates in corporate policy development as a member of the senior management team
Engages the finance committee of the board of directors to develop short, medium and long-term financial plans and projections
Represents the company to financial partners, including financial institutions, investors foundation executives, auditors and public officials
Maintains an update on best practices, state and federal and laws regarding the I.T. industry.
Investor Relations
Oversees the issuance of financial information
Personally reviews and approves all forms and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Participates in conference calls with the investment community
Maintains all banking relationships with company bankers as the Liaison officer
Represents the company with investment bankers and investors
Accounting and Administration
Effectively leads the team of financial professionals and motivates the team for high quality work as well as dedication to the mission of the organization
Oversees the controller or head of accounts in ensuring procedures and computer applications system maintain proper records and affords adequate accounting controls and services
Ensures maintenance of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures
Ensures timeliness, accuracy and usefulness of financial and management reporting for the stakeholders and Board of directors and oversees the preparation and communication of regular and annual financial statements.
Oversees the coordination of audits and proper filing of tax returns
Oversees the analysis and consolidation of all cost allocations and procedures
Ensures legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions
Oversees and directs all financial and pertinent statistical reporting
As authorized by the Board of directors, he endorses tax returns, checks, contracts and other legal documents on behalf of the Corporation, customers and the general public




Planning and Budgeting



Ability to prepare budgets
Considerable knowledge of Computerized accounting and accounting packages
Ability to analyze and interpret accounting and cost accounting records
Ability to assemble, analyze and prepare both routine and complex financial reports and statements
Ability to apply accounting principles to the solution of a variety of accounting or fiscal problems
Ability to perform detailed work with written or numerical data




Cash Management Function

Oversees weekly cash management; Approves weekly payables; Executes cheque signing
Oversees AR management and provides support to collections activities
Grows equity value – increases gross profit and reduces debt.


Team Management

Mentors and develops a direct team, manages work allocation, trainings, problem resolution, performance evaluation, and the building of an effective dynamic team.
Guides larger, cross-divisional teams outside of direct span of control within the company’s strategic business units.




Corporate Development



Represents company in efforts with investment bankers and potential investors
Prepares various analysis and reports required by corporate development efforts
Mergers and Acquisitions
Oversees and supervises acquisition, due diligence and negotiates acquisitions.
Leads the financial aspects of potential M&A activity
Leads the financial evaluation of mergers and acquisition candidates
Structures, negotiates, and finalizes purchase agreements




International Funding Expertise



Monitors Cash balances and cash forecasts
Arranges for Debt and equity financing including souring for potential lenders
Invests funds
Maintains all banking relationships with bankers on all transactions
Creates funding for strategy implementation and execution set by the MD/CEO
Ensures controls are in place to manage commodity positions and trading
Develops processes and disciplines around monitoring and assessing risk in positions
Expands financial reporting systems to determine daily and weekly gross profit estimates


Required Experience



Minimum of 10 years’ of financial and management progressive experience with the day-to-day financial operations of a company
3-5 years in C-Level position or close to C-Level, – to be able to potentially have significant board level participation
Proficiency in the use of accounting software – ERP
Thorough understanding of project finance, budgeting, cash allocations and detailed financial planning and reconciliations
Experience managing multiple portfolios


Personality Traits, Desired Skills and Experience



Get-it-done, Execution Focused!
Honest, straightforward and dependable
Experience in a senior financial-management role, partnering with executive staff, resulting in the development and implementation of creative financial management strategies
Understanding of creative business models, pricing models and the ability to tie business strategy to financial models – e.g. banking sector or finch
Strict and compliance driven
Passionate; breathes Ownership
Strategic minded to be able to handle a complex TECH, Fin-tech business
Excellent stakeholder management skills
Strong rational, emotional and spiritual intelligence
Highly Intelligent with excellent analytical skills
Must be self-confident yet humble
Interpersonal relational skills, highly diplomatic and yet results-focused.
Ability to apply accounting principles to the solution of a variety of accounting or fiscal problems
Has tolerance for ambiguity, and at the same time has the intellectual swiftness and maps plans out.
Tech company experience is a nice to have. Fintech or Ecommerce company nice to have
Experience raising capital from VC/Private Equity
Shared services structuring and cost allocation across multiple entities, countries, etc.
Global exposure is a nice to have
Local intelligence within Nigeria


Qualification



A good bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance related field.
• An MBA and or CPA, Master’s degree in Accounting or Finance would be a plus. ICAN or ACCA will be an added advantage
• At least five years’ experience as a CFO or equivalent, preferably in a Technology Company with a budget of at least $20 million.
• Experience working with information technology staff to manage finance, accounting software packages.
• Must have 10 years of broad finance experience inclusive of financial analysis, management and supervision, computerized accounting in a senior level position.

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should click here http://iportalnews.com/career-opportunities-at-venture-garden-group-8-positions/