At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of AI solutions to solve real business problems at the BBC.
- Company: Join the BBC, a leader in media and innovation, with a focus on Generative AI.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic setting that values ethics and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact by shaping the future of AI in broadcasting.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in data science, machine learning, and collaborative team environments.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 90000 € per year.
JOB BAND: ECONTRACT
TYPE: Permanent, Full‑time
DEPARTMENT: BBC Group Strategy and Transformation
LOCATION: Salford
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £80,000 – £90,000 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Lead Data Scientist will help the BBC make practical use of AI tools and systems to solve business problems and help internal teams work effectively and efficiently. This role is part of the BBC’s Generative AI Programme and collaborates closely with project managers, data scientists, analysts, domain experts and technical teams to design, build and hand over AI solutions to scale across the business.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT
- Design and develop models, pipelines and evaluation approaches that support high‑quality AI piloting and transition to successful handover for scaling.
- Lead the technical delivery of data science work across multiple projects, ensuring solutions are robust, secure and outcome‑aligned.
- Build and refine evaluation harnesses and testing approaches to assess performance, quality, reliability and suitability for real‑world use.
- Work closely with editorial leads, project managers, data engineers, analysts and domain experts to translate requirements into practical, well‑evidenced technical solutions.
- Guide data approaches across the team, providing leadership, challenge and support to maintain high standards of delivery and continuous improvement.
- Contribute to how generative AI is adopted and stewarded, ensuring work is ethical, responsible and consistent with BBC values.
- Help establish scalable ways of working, balancing experimentation with rigour, governance and operational resilience.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Extensive experience developing, deploying and operationalising data science and machine learning solutions in complex organisations.
- Experience working effectively in multidisciplinary teams, collaborating with engineering, delivery, research and design colleagues.
- Demonstrable ability to guide technical direction, influence decisions and support the development of others through constructive leadership.
- Strong judgement in applying data science and emerging GenAI methods responsibly, with focus on quality, security, governance and ethics.
- Proficiency in Python and strong engineering practices; experience with Generative AI and agentic frameworks (e.g., LangChain, LangGraph, PydanticAI) and managed AI services (Bedrock, Azure), CI/CD pipelines and AI‑assisted development tools.
- Experience working in broadcast, media, start‑up or research environments.
- Contributions to published technical documents or thought leadership in your area of expertise.
- Experience building evaluation harnesses for generative AI systems, including defining success criteria, designing test sets, and implementing quantitative metrics and qualitative review processes.
- Familiarity with agentic orchestration patterns, multi‑agent architectures, tool/function calling and memory or retrieval.
We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion or belief.
Lead Data Scientist - GenAI in Eccles employer: BBC Group and Public Services
The BBC is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Salford where innovation meets collaboration. As a Lead Data Scientist in the Generative AI Programme, you will not only contribute to cutting-edge AI solutions but also benefit from a culture that prioritises ethical practices and continuous professional development. With competitive salaries and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, the BBC provides a rewarding platform for meaningful impact in the media landscape.
Contact Detail:
BBC Group and Public Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Data Scientist - GenAI in Eccles
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who works at the BBC. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your projects, especially those involving AI and data science. We want to see how you’ve tackled real-world problems and what solutions you've come up with.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every role is different, so make sure you tailor your conversations to highlight how your experience aligns with the Lead Data Scientist position. We’re looking for specific examples of your work with generative AI and team collaboration.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the BBC team and contributing to our exciting projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Scientist - GenAI in Eccles
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Data Scientist role. Highlight your experience with AI tools and data science projects, especially those that align with the BBC's Generative AI Programme. We want to see how your skills can help us solve real business problems!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about generative AI and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention any relevant projects or experiences that showcase your leadership and technical skills.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, be sure to highlight your proficiency in Python and any experience with generative AI frameworks. We’re looking for someone who can lead technical delivery, so demonstrate your ability to guide teams and influence decisions through your past work.
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. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at BBC Group and Public Services
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Generative AI and the specific tools mentioned in the job description, like LangChain and Azure. Be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects and how they can be applied to solve real business problems.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves guiding teams and influencing decisions, prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience. Think about times when you led a project or mentored colleagues, and be ready to explain how you maintained high standards and encouraged continuous improvement.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions during your interview. Brush up on your Python skills and be prepared to talk about your experience with data science methodologies, evaluation harnesses, and how you ensure quality and security in your work.
✨Align with BBC Values
Familiarise yourself with the BBC's values and think about how your work aligns with their commitment to ethical and responsible AI use. Be ready to discuss how you would approach challenges in a way that reflects these values, especially in terms of governance and operational resilience.
