Senior / Lead Data Scientist (Strategic Finance, FP&A) in London

Senior / Lead Data Scientist (Strategic Finance, FP&A) in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Cleo AI

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead FP&A analytics, build reporting tools, and automate finance workflows.
  • Company: Join a dynamic fintech company focused on making money easier and more human.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and career advancement.
  • Why this job: Shape financial strategy and make impactful decisions with data-driven insights.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in data analytics, strong SQL skills, and experience with BI tools.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Requirements

  • 5+ years in data analytics, data science, BI engineering, analytics engineering, or hybrid data/finance roles, ideally in a high-growth, product-led company
  • Experience owning analytical systems end-to-end at a company level, including some exposure to modelling (scenario, cohort, simple predictive)
  • Strong grasp of financial and commercial metrics - ideally from working closely with FP&A, Strategic Finance, Commercial or similar teams
  • Comfortable presenting and defending analysis at senior forums, with a track record of shaping decisions at executive level
  • Hands-on with BI tools (e.g. Looker, Mode, Tableau)
  • Expert SQL
  • A builder's instinct: bias for automation, ownership, and shipping
  • Comfortable using AI tools (Claude, Cursor) as leverage - with the judgement to know when to trust output and when to verify
  • Interest in fintech and Cleo's mission to make money easier and more human (Desirable)
  • Experience with dbt modelling (Desirable)
  • Prior experience automating or supporting investor-facing reporting or board materials (Desirable)
  • Experience working in environments with a blend of consumer tech and financial services (e.g. AI, lending, credit, payments) (Desirable)
  • Time-series forecasting experience (Desirable)
  • Python (or similar) for scripting and automation (Desirable)
  • Workflow orchestration tooling (e.g. Airflow)

What the job involves

  • You'll own FP&A analytics end-to-end working closely with the Head of Commercial FP&A, and proactively shaping the relationship with the wider Strategic Finance team
  • You'll build the tooling, reporting, and lightweight models that FP&A and the wider business rely on to make decisions, and translate the metrics and drivers behind them so business stakeholders can act on them
  • You'll partner with Product, Data, Engineering, and the CEO's office on the work that shapes our financial strategy - scenario modelling, cohort analysis, and the systems that monitor how we’re tracking against plan
  • You'll sit within a wider Commercial Analytics team, with this being the first role fully dedicated to the automation and reporting layer within Strategic Finance
  • Build the decision-support tooling behind our financial statements - revenue, gross profit, operating costs, cashflow. Lightweight models where they help; clear analysis where they don't
  • Translate proposed product and business changes into their commercial impact before they ship - scenario modelling revenue, margin, and KPI effects so decisions are made with the numbers in front of them
  • Own the weekly trading metrics: how we’re tracking vs. targets, deep dives into the drivers behind the numbers, and using that to influence business decisions
  • Proactively identify issues and opportunities. Spot where the business is drifting (or where there's upside on the table) and surface it with a clear point of view
  • Automate recurring finance workflows: investor reporting, board prep, financial close tasks
  • Work cross-functionally with Commercial, Product, and Engineering to define and maintain the data models behind executive and operational decisioning
  • Own the reporting architecture - dashboards, semantic layers, and pipelines that underpin financial and strategic reporting
  • Improve documentation and data governance so the numbers can be trusted across internal and external reporting

Senior / Lead Data Scientist (Strategic Finance, FP&A) in London employer: Cleo AI

At Cleo, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, particularly for our Senior / Lead Data Scientist role in Strategic Finance. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous learning opportunities and collaboration with cross-functional teams, empowering you to shape financial strategies that make a real impact. Located in a vibrant tech hub, we offer unique advantages such as access to cutting-edge tools and a mission-driven environment focused on making money management easier and more human.

Cleo AI

Contact Details:

Cleo AI Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior / Lead Data Scientist (Strategic Finance, FP&A) in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your data projects, especially those related to finance and analytics. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios relevant to the role. Think about how your experience aligns with the job description and be ready to share specific examples.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior / Lead Data Scientist (Strategic Finance, FP&A) in London

Data Analytics
Data Science
Business Intelligence Engineering
Analytical Systems Ownership
Financial Metrics Understanding
Presentation Skills
BI Tools (Looker, Mode, Tableau)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role. Highlight your experience in data analytics and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in financial metrics and BI tools. We want to see how you’ve owned analytical systems and shaped decisions at a senior level.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about fintech and how your background aligns with our mission. Share specific examples of your work in FP&A or strategic finance that demonstrate your expertise and enthusiasm.

Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your technical prowess! Mention your hands-on experience with SQL, BI tools like Looker or Tableau, and any automation or scripting skills you have. We love a builder's instinct, so let us know how you've used these tools to drive results.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s a great way to show your interest in joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Cleo AI

Know Your Numbers

Make sure you have a solid grasp of financial and commercial metrics. Brush up on your experience with FP&A and be ready to discuss how you've used data to influence decisions at an executive level. This will show that you understand the business side of data science.

Showcase Your Technical Skills

Be prepared to demonstrate your expertise in SQL and BI tools like Looker or Tableau. Bring examples of how you've built analytical systems end-to-end and automated workflows. This is your chance to shine a light on your technical prowess!

Prepare for Scenario Modelling

Since you'll be involved in scenario modelling and cohort analysis, think of specific instances where you've applied these techniques. Be ready to explain your thought process and how your models impacted business decisions. This will highlight your analytical thinking.

Communicate Clearly

Practice presenting your analyses as if you're speaking to senior stakeholders. Focus on translating complex data into actionable insights. The ability to defend your analysis and communicate effectively is crucial, so make sure you can convey your findings confidently.