Lead Data Scientist

About the team

Our Public Services Business Unit is committed to leveraging AI for the benefit of individual citizens and the public good.

From our work informing strategic government decisions, to optimising our NHS, through to reducing bureaucratic backlogs - we know that AI offers opportunities to drive improvements at every level of Government and we are proud to lead on some of the most impactful work happening in the sector.

Because of the nature of the work we do with our Government clients, you may need to be eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC) and willing to work on site with these clients from time to time.

About the role

As a Senior Data Scientist, you will lead high-impact AI projects and shape the technical direction of bespoke solutions. This role requires hands-on technical excellence combined with crucial team leadership.

You will define data science approaches, design robust software architectures, mentor junior colleagues, and ensure delivery rigour across projects all while building deep client relationships and solidifying our reputation as a leader in practical, measurable AI.

#LI-PRIO

What you'll be doing

• Leading project teams that deliver bespoke algorithms and high-stakes AI solutions to clients across the sector.

• Conceiving the core data science approach and designing the associated robust software architecture for new engagements.

• Mentoring a small number of data scientists and supporting the professional growth of technical team members on projects.

• Partnering with commercial teams to build client relationships and shape project scope for technical feasibility.

• Contributing to Faculty’s thought leadership and reputation through delivering courses, public speaking, or open-source projects.

• Ensuring best practices are followed throughout the project lifecycle to guarantee high-quality, impactful delivery.

Who we're looking for

• You possess senior experience in a professional data science position or a quantitative academic field.

• You demonstrate strong programming skills, with the ability to be a fluent Python programmer, using core libraries (NumPy, Pandas) and a deep-learning framework (e.g., PyTorch).

• You have a deep expertise in core data science paradigms (supervised/unsupervised, NLP, validation), demonstrating a proficiency across the standard data science toolkit, including the ability to develop new, innovative algorithms.

• You bring a leadership mindset, focused on growing the technical capabilities of the team and nurturing a collaborative culture.

• You exhibit commercial awareness, with experience in client-facing work and the ability to translate business problems into a rigorous mathematical framework.

• You are skilled in project planning, assessing technical feasibility, estimating delivery timelines, and leading a team to deliver high-quality work on a strict schedule.