At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a world-class Data Science Centre, driving innovation and strategic growth.
- Company: Join Dentsu Media, a leader in marketing science transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data science in media and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in leadership roles with expertise in analytics and data science.
- Other info: Inspire a diverse team and foster a culture of innovation and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.
The role empowers brands to make confident media investment decisions—driven by evidence, not opinion. This is a pivotal senior leadership role at the forefront of marketing science transformation. As Head of Data Science, you will architect and lead a world-class Data Science Centre of Excellence, integrating analytics, econometrics, and data science into a unified, high-impact capability. You will modernise measurement methodologies, productise advanced techniques (agile MMM, incrementality, causal inference, brand equity analytics), and operationalise insight at scale to drive client growth and business performance.
You will be a strategic partner to Carat, iProspect, and dentsu X—shaping pitches, influencing client decisioning, and setting the gold standard for media effectiveness across UK&I. As a member of the Marketing Science Executive Team, you will play a critical role in defining the strategic direction of the discipline, cultivating a high-performance culture, and delivering measurable commercial outcomes.
Responsibilities- Strategic Leadership & Operating Model
- Define and create the UK&I Data Science strategy, aligned to the broader Data & Analytics vision and media growth priorities.
- Establish a scalable, future-ready Centre of Excellence: governance, delivery models, talent strategy (onshore/offshore), and operational standards.
- Influence cross-functional alignment across media, strategy, data, and technology.
- Innovation, Methodology & Product Development
- Own the end-to-end data science innovation roadmap to merit powerhouse status: evolve MMM into a digital-first, agile, automated solution; scale incrementality and causal inference; embed experimentation across the full funnel.
- Develop scalable advanced analytics solutions that incorporate behavioural science and creative analytics (pre and post).
- Set the benchmark for modelling excellence, experimentation design (lift/RCTs, synthetic controls), forecasting, and brand-performance integration.
- Drive the development of proprietary tools, frameworks, and IP.
- Data Infrastructure & Strategic Partnerships
- Collaborate with Data & Tech to build robust data pipelines, automation, and deployment infrastructure—leveraging dentsu.Connect and other platforms.
- Partner with Amplifi and external data providers to unlock strategic value and commercial upside.
- Commercial Growth & Market Impact
- Lead Measurement & Effectiveness strategy in new business pitches—crafting compelling narratives, proof points, and pricing strategies, delivered in the room and on paper with high impact, contributing to an overall Media increased win rate of +40% and measurement revenue of +£5m.
- Drive revenue growth through outcome-linked learning agendas and strategic account expansion.
- Influence client C-suite decisioning through data-driven storytelling and strategic advisory.
- Industry leadership and representation of dentsu in external forums: produce thought leadership, increase visibility and promote dentsu capability at key events and with senior stakeholders from both clients and our media partners (Google, Meta, industry bodies).
- Delivery Excellence & Governance
- Oversee delivery across Measurement & Effectiveness scopes: staffing, QA, SLAs, and insight-to-value workflows.
- Institutionalise repeatable excellence through playbooks, case studies, and scalable frameworks.
- Champion data ethics, privacy, and methodological integrity.
- Talent, Culture & Global Collaboration
- Inspire and develop a multidisciplinary team of 40+ analysts, econometricians, data scientists and engineers—fostering a culture of innovation, learning, and inclusion.
- Shape succession planning and capability development across critical roles.
- Contribute to global hubs and multi-market initiatives.
- External Influence & Thought Leadership
- Represent dentsu in industry forums and thought leadership platforms.
- Articulate a bold, future-facing POV on modern measurement and the strategic role of data science in media.
- Adoption of a unified, standardised measurement toolkit across priority accounts.
- Demonstrable growth impact via pitch wins, account expansion, and value tracking.
- Scaled automation and platform leverage reducing manual effort and increasing insight velocity.
- High team engagement, retention, and succession in key roles.
- 15+ years in senior leadership roles across analytics, data science, econometrics or measurement, ideally within agency or marketing-led environments.
- Deep expertise in MMM, experimentation, causal inference, forecasting, and brand-performance integration.
- Proven track record in pitch leadership, senior client engagement, and commercial storytelling.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration across media, strategy, engineering, and commercial teams.
- Demonstrated experience in AI/automation integration within analytics workflows.
- Client-centric, commercially astute and intellectually curious—consistently translates complex data into actionable strategies that drive business outcomes and client growth.
- Strategic influencer across disciplines—builds alignment and momentum across media, strategy, data, and technology functions, even without formal authority.
- Executive presence and trusted advisor—engages credibly with senior stakeholders, shaping decisions through clear, evidence-led narratives.
- High integrity and analytical rigour—sets the standard for transparency, auditability, and ethical use of data in decision-making.
- Culture builder and talent magnet—fosters an inclusive, high-performance environment that attracts, retains and develops top-tier talent.
Head of Data Science in London employer: Dentsu Aegis Network Ltd.
Contact Detail:
Dentsu Aegis Network Ltd. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Data Science in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in data science and analytics. We want to see that you’re not just a fit on paper but also in spirit!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through projects or case studies. Bring examples of your work to interviews, especially those that highlight your expertise in data science methodologies. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate your impact!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data Science in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Data Science role. Highlight your experience in analytics, data science, and leadership. Use keywords from the job description to show we’re on the same page!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for data science and how you can drive innovation at StudySmarter. Be sure to mention specific achievements that align with our goals.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, demonstrate your strategic mindset. Talk about how you've influenced cross-functional teams and driven measurable outcomes in previous roles. We love seeing evidence of your impact!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dentsu Aegis Network Ltd.
✨Know Your Data Science Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of advanced analytics techniques, especially in areas like MMM, causal inference, and forecasting. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these methodologies in past roles and how they can drive client growth.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Data Science, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire a team. Prepare examples of how you've cultivated a high-performance culture and influenced cross-functional teams in previous positions.
✨Prepare for Strategic Conversations
Expect to engage in discussions about strategic direction and commercial growth. Think about how you can articulate a vision for the Data Science Centre of Excellence and how it aligns with broader business goals.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Client Engagement
Since this role involves influencing senior stakeholders, prepare to share your experiences in client engagement and how you've used data-driven storytelling to shape decisions. Highlight any successful pitches or projects that showcase your impact.