At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data science projects that drive decision-making and optimise operations.
- Company: Join British Airways, a leader in the airline industry with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff travel perks, competitive salary, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusion and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming data into actionable insights for the airline.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in leading data science initiatives.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
You’ll be part of the Operations Delivery Intelligence (ODI) directorate, leading the delivery of high‑value data science products that support and automate decision‑making across critical business areas. This team plays a vital role in unlocking value from data, driving optimisation and enabling evidence‑based decisions across the airline.
What you’ll do:
- Lead the end‑to‑end delivery and lifecycle management of data science products and initiatives
- Scope and frame ill‑defined business problems and define data science solutions aligned with business goals
- Manage and coach data science teams delivering predictive models, optimisation engines and decision‑support tools
- Design, build and deploy production‑ready data science solutions that integrate with business processes and digital platforms
- Ensure quality, timely delivery and ongoing value of data science products
- Acquire, process and analyse large and complex datasets to create high‑quality model inputs
- Translate analytical outputs into clear, actionable business recommendations
- Provide guidance to stakeholders on how data science solutions improve business outcomes
- Oversee improvements, maintenance and decommissioning of existing data science products
- Ensure adherence to published frameworks, best practice, model compliance and ethical standards
- Monitor industry trends and advancements in data science
- Work collaboratively within cross‑functional Agile squads
- Contribute to feature prioritisation and road‑mapping, balancing speed and long‑term value
- Lead and embed effective agile ways of working, including engineering standards and delivery discipline
What you’ll bring to British Airways:
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to structure ambiguous problems
- Proven technical leadership in data science and machine learning delivery
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to senior and non‑technical audiences
- Confidence challenging constructively and influencing senior stakeholders
- Strong stakeholder relationship‑building capability
- Experience coaching, developing and line‑managing others
- Ethical and responsible approach to data science and AI
- Collaborative, empowering and resilient working style
- Continuous improvement mindset with a strong focus on business impact
Your experience:
- Numerate degree or equivalent with data science components
- Experience of leading others in applying data science to business problems
- Experience in developing industrialised software, especially data science or machine learning software products
- Experience in relevant business domains (transportation, airlines, operations, network problems) (preferred)
What we offer:
We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It’s one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary. From the day you join us, you’ll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You’ll also receive up to 30 discounted ‘Hotline’ airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family. At British Airways you’ll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress. We never stand still, and we don’t expect our people to either.
Inclusion & Diversity
At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work. Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.
Principal Data Scientist - Operations & Data-Driven Impact employer: 慨正橡扯
At British Airways, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Principal Data Scientist, you'll not only lead impactful data science initiatives but also enjoy unparalleled staff travel benefits and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Our commitment to inclusion and diversity ensures that every employee feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives, making your journey with us both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Data Scientist - Operations & Data-Driven Impact
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at British Airways on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common data science scenarios. Think about how you’d tackle ambiguous problems and be ready to discuss your past projects. We want to see your analytical mindset in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership skills! Be ready to talk about how you've coached teams or influenced stakeholders in previous roles. We love candidates who can communicate complex ideas clearly and build strong relationships.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at British Airways.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Scientist - Operations & Data-Driven Impact
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Analytical Skills:Make sure to highlight your strong analytical mindset in your application. We want to see how you can structure ambiguous problems and come up with data-driven solutions that align with business goals.
Communicate Clearly:When writing your application, remember to communicate complex technical concepts in a way that's easy to understand. We value candidates who can bridge the gap between technical details and business impact, especially for senior stakeholders.
Demonstrate Leadership Experience:If you've led teams or coached others in data science, be sure to mention it! We’re looking for someone who can manage and inspire data science teams to deliver high-quality products that drive optimisation.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at 慨正橡扯
✨Understand the Business Context
Before your interview, dive deep into British Airways and their operations. Familiarise yourself with how data science impacts decision-making in the airline industry. This will help you frame your answers in a way that aligns with their business goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Data Scientist, you'll be expected to lead teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed and coached data science teams in the past. Highlight your ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around predictive models and optimisation engines. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've designed and deployed data science solutions, and how they integrated with business processes.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Agile Experience
British Airways values collaboration within cross-functional teams. Be prepared to discuss your experience working in Agile environments and how you've contributed to feature prioritisation and road-mapping. Show them you're not just a data whiz but also a team player.
