At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team of data scientists and shape the data science strategy.
- Company: High-growth business focused on scaling its data function.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and impactful projects.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment with a focus on machine learning engineering.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in areas like search, pricing, and personalisation.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in data science and strong ML model deployment experience.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
We're working with a high-growth business that is scaling its data function to the next level. Data scientists here have traditionally combined reporting with predictive modelling, but the business is now creating a dedicated leadership role to bring focus, structure and engineering rigour to the discipline.
As Head of Data Science, you’ll lead a growing team of 6+ scientists embedded across product and functional teams, while also setting the technical direction and ensuring alignment with company-wide OKRs. You’ll drive the transition towards machine learning engineering, championing end-to-end model ownership from research through to deployment in production. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the data science strategy, support the career growth of talented scientists, and deliver measurable impact in areas such as search, pricing, personalisation, vouchers, marketing, operations and finance.
Skills and Experience
- Proven leadership experience in data science or machine learning, ideally within product‑led or consumer‑facing organisations
- Strong background in building and deploying ML models at scale in production environments
- Ability to structure and lead embedded data science teams, partnering effectively with senior stakeholders across multiple domains
- Hands‑on technical expertise with tools such as Databricks, Python, Spark, and GCP/BigQuery
- Engineering mindset, with experience moving teams toward machine learning engineering best practice
- Credibility to lead long‑tenured individual contributors while providing direction, mentorship and career development
If you are looking for a new challenge, then please submit your CV for initial screening and more details.
Head of Data Science in Manchester employer: Data Idols
Join a forward-thinking SaaS organisation that prioritises technology and innovation, offering a dynamic work culture where your contributions as a Principal Software Architect will directly influence the company's success. With a strong emphasis on professional development, hybrid working options, and a supportive environment for mentoring and collaboration, this role provides an excellent opportunity to grow your career while making a meaningful impact in the tech industry. Enjoy competitive benefits including life assurance, holiday trading schemes, and retail discounts, all while working in a location that fosters creativity and technical excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Data Science in Manchester
✨Get Involved in Data Science Meetups
Tap into local data science meetups or workshops to connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. These events are goldmines for networking, and sometimes even lead directly to job openings at companies like Data Idols!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Start building a public portfolio showcasing your data science projects on platforms like GitHub or personal websites. Highlight unique analyses or models you've developed. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gets your name out there for roles like Head of Data Science at Data Idols.
✨Leverage Professional Networks
Join professional bodies related to data science, like the Data Science Society or similar organisations. Getting involved can lead to mentorship opportunities and insider knowledge about full-time positions at companies like Data Idols.
✨Apply Directly through Our Website
When you find a suitable opening like Head of Data Science at Data Idols, make sure to apply directly through our website. It gives you an edge and shows you're keen to join our team. Plus, who doesn’t love a direct application? It’s easier than navigating through job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data Science in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at Data Idols, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at Data Idols. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Data Idols
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at Data Idols!
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.
