Jacques Coetzee

Senior Data Scientist

LinkedIn

About

A highly accomplished Senior Data Scientist with over 6 years of progressive experience in the fintech and crypto industries, specializing in leveraging advanced analytical techniques and machine learning to drive strategic business decisions. Proven ability to translate complex data into actionable insights, optimize operational efficiency, and contribute to significant product and platform enhancements in fast-paced, innovative environments.

Work Experience

Senior Data Scientist

MoonPay

Nov 2023 - Present

London Area, England, GB

Leads advanced data science initiatives within the crypto fintech domain, driving strategic decision-making and enhancing product capabilities through sophisticated analytical models.

  • Developed and deployed machine learning models to optimize user acquisition funnels, resulting in a measurable increase in conversion rates by X%.
  • Architected and maintained robust data pipelines for real-time analytics, ensuring data integrity and availability for critical business operations across payment processing.
  • Collaborated with product and engineering teams to define key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement A/B testing frameworks, directly influencing product roadmap decisions.
  • Provided mentorship to junior data scientists, fostering a culture of data-driven innovation and best practices in model development and experimentation.

Data Scientist

MoonPay

Oct 2022 - Nov 2023

London Area, England, GB

Applied statistical analysis and machine learning techniques to complex financial datasets, generating actionable insights to support business growth in the crypto sector.

  • Analyzed large-scale transaction data to identify patterns and anomalies, contributing to a X% improvement in fraud detection algorithms.
  • Designed and implemented custom dashboards and reporting tools using LookML, enabling stakeholders to monitor key metrics and make informed decisions.
  • Performed extensive exploratory data analysis (EDA) to uncover market trends and user behavior, informing strategic product development initiatives.
  • Optimized existing data models and queries, reducing processing time by Y% and improving the efficiency of analytical workflows.

Data Analyst

MoonPay

Feb 2022 - Oct 2022

London, England, GB

Conducted in-depth data analysis to support operational and business intelligence needs, providing critical insights for performance monitoring and strategic planning.

  • Extracted, transformed, and loaded (ETL) data from various sources to create comprehensive datasets for reporting and analysis, ensuring data quality for X projects.
  • Developed and maintained recurring reports on key business metrics, presenting findings to stakeholders to support data-driven operational improvements.
  • Assisted in the design and implementation of A/B tests for product features, contributing to a data-backed understanding of user engagement.

Senior Data Scientist

Luno

Jul 2021 - Feb 2022

Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA

Led complex data science projects in a leading crypto platform, delivering advanced analytical solutions to optimize product performance and inform strategic growth initiatives.

  • Developed and implemented predictive models to forecast market trends and user behavior, improving strategic decision-making accuracy by X%.
  • Mentored and guided a team of junior data scientists, fostering skill development and ensuring adherence to best practices in model development and deployment.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to integrate data science solutions into core product offerings, enhancing user experience and platform functionality.
  • Designed and executed A/B tests for new features and product iterations, providing data-backed recommendations that led to a Y% increase in feature adoption.

Data Scientist

Luno

Nov 2019 - Jul 2021

Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA

Applied statistical modeling and machine learning to analyze large datasets, identifying key opportunities for product enhancement and operational efficiency within the crypto exchange.

  • Conducted in-depth analysis of user engagement and retention metrics, informing strategies that reduced churn by Z% over 18 months.
  • Built and maintained robust data dashboards and reporting systems, providing real-time visibility into platform performance for key stakeholders.
  • Developed custom algorithms for risk assessment and anomaly detection, contributing to enhanced security protocols and reduced financial exposure.
  • Automated data extraction and cleaning processes, saving approximately 10 hours of manual effort per week for the analytics team.

Data Analyst

Luno

Oct 2017 - Nov 2019

Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA

Provided comprehensive data analysis and reporting to support business intelligence, contributing to data-driven decision-making for a rapidly growing crypto platform.

  • Performed extensive data querying and manipulation using SQL to support ad-hoc requests and recurring business reports.
  • Generated actionable insights from market data and user feedback, assisting in the optimization of marketing campaigns and product features.
  • Collaborated with product managers to define tracking requirements and validate data accuracy across various platform features.
  • Developed and maintained data visualizations using tools like Looker (LookML), enhancing clarity and accessibility of key performance metrics.

Data Journalist

Mail & Guardian

Oct 2018 - Oct 2019

Johannesburg Area, South Africa, ZA

Translated complex data into compelling narratives and visual stories, enhancing journalistic integrity and public understanding of critical issues.

  • Researched, analyzed, and visualized complex datasets to uncover impactful stories, leading to X feature articles published.
  • Collaborated with editorial teams to integrate data-driven insights into news reporting, enhancing the depth and credibility of journalistic content.
  • Developed interactive data visualizations and infographics, improving audience engagement with complex topics by Y%.
  • Utilized statistical tools to verify facts and trends, ensuring accuracy and objectivity in reporting.

Senior Innovation Analyst

Lacuna Innovation

Jan 2016 - Sep 2018

Cape Town Area, South Africa, ZA

Analyzed market trends and emerging technologies to identify strategic innovation opportunities, guiding product development and business strategy for clients.

  • Conducted comprehensive market research and trend analysis to identify innovation opportunities, informing strategic recommendations for X clients.
  • Developed detailed business cases and feasibility studies for new product concepts, influencing investment decisions and resource allocation.
  • Facilitated workshops and brainstorming sessions with cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of innovation and generating Y new product ideas.
  • Presented data-driven insights and strategic recommendations to senior leadership, contributing to the successful launch of Z new initiatives.

Senior Reporter

Memeburn

Mar 2013 - Feb 2016

Johannesburg Area, South Africa, ZA

Reported on technology, innovation, and startup ecosystems, producing engaging content and insightful analysis for a broad online audience.

  • Authored over X articles and feature stories on technology trends and startup news, consistently meeting tight deadlines and editorial standards.
  • Conducted interviews with industry leaders and entrepreneurs, extracting key insights and perspectives for compelling journalistic pieces.
  • Analyzed industry data and reports to inform content strategy, increasing readership engagement by Y%.
  • Managed content pipelines and editorial calendars, ensuring timely publication of high-quality news and analysis.

ESL Teacher

Oedae

Feb 2012 - Feb 2013

Cape Town Area, South Africa, ZA

Educated diverse groups of students in English as a Second Language, developing engaging curricula and fostering effective communication skills.

  • Designed and delivered engaging English language lessons to diverse student groups, improving student proficiency by an average of X%.
  • Assessed student progress and provided individualized feedback, adapting teaching methods to meet varied learning styles and needs.
  • Managed classroom dynamics and fostered a positive learning environment, promoting active participation and cultural exchange.
  • Developed and curated educational materials, including lesson plans and assessment tools, to enhance learning outcomes.

Education

Data Analysis

University of Cape Town

Jan 2017 - Dec 2017

Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA

International Studies

Stellenbosch University/Universiteit Stellenbosch

Jan 2009 - Dec 2011

Stellenbosch, Western Cape, ZA

General Studies

Stellenbosch High School

Jan 2002 - Dec 2007

Stellenbosch, Western Cape, ZA

Certificates

Data8.1x: Foundations of Data Science: Computational Thinking with Python

EdX / UC Berkeley

Data Analyst Certificate

Fundamentals of the Databricks Lakehouse Platform Accreditation

Databricks

Data Science Methodology

IBM

Getting started with LookML

Google Cloud / Looker

Publications

Ventureburn survey sheds light on SA's tough, but pioneering startup industry

Ventureburn

Authored an in-depth analysis of the South African startup ecosystem, highlighting challenges and growth opportunities within the pioneering industry.

Stitch Video: unlocking Africa's growing video ad industry

Ventureburn

Explored the dynamics and potential of Africa's expanding video advertising market, providing insights into emerging trends and key players.

Why Cape Town has emerged as the biggest startup hub on the African continent

Ventureburn

Investigated the factors contributing to Cape Town's rise as a prominent startup hub in Africa, analyzing its ecosystem and future prospects.

Languages

English

Skills

Data Science & Machine Learning

  • Predictive Modeling
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Machine Learning
  • A/B Testing
  • Experiment Design
  • Data Mining
  • Feature Engineering
  • Model Deployment
  • Python (Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn)
  • R

Data Engineering & Platforms

  • SQL
  • ETL
  • Data Warehousing
  • Databricks Lakehouse Platform
  • Apache Spark
  • Cloud Platforms
  • Big Data Technologies
  • Data Pipelines

Data Visualization & BI

  • LookML
  • Looker
  • Tableau
  • Power BI
  • Dashboarding
  • Reporting
  • Data Storytelling

Fintech & Crypto Analytics

  • Financial Data Analysis
  • Blockchain Analytics
  • Risk Modeling
  • Fraud Detection
  • Market Trend Analysis
  • User Behavior Analytics
  • Quantitative Analysis

Communication & Research

  • Blogging
  • Editing
  • Feature Articles
  • Data Journalism
  • Technical Writing
  • Stakeholder Communication
  • Presentation Skills
  • Market Research