Senior Data Scientist

Location: Bexhill/Leicester/London – Hybrid

Key Responsibilities

• Building ML and GLM models for deployment into live pricing, including feature engineering and trialling new modelling approaches.
• Build a deep understanding of our price optimisation lifetime value function and contribute to its development.
• Develop new experimental pricing approaches, exploring new optimisation approaches, model structures, and automated learning.
• Work hand in hand with ML ops and engineering functions to deploy and test new approaches.

Key Skills & Experience

Essential

• Track record of building, validating, and maintaining pricing models (e.g. GLMs, GAMs, tree‑based models).
• Experience in developing new pricing initiatives to make use of new models or data items, challenging the established approaches.
• Experience in liaising with multiple stakeholders to effectively frame problems and building solutions with effective commercial outcomes.
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, Azure ML, Git, Azure Cloud Services.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally with Data Engineers, Data Scientists and Pricing Analysts.
• Keen interest in emerging ML techniques and their commercial value.

Desirable

• Insurance industry experience.
• ML Ops experience.
• GitHub as a code collaboration tool.
• Experience in line management.

Personal Attributes

• Highly technically competent mixed with broader business understanding.
• Natural problem solver who loves building creative solutions to complex real‑world challenges.
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively as part of a team to deliver solutions to a well‑defined set of requirements.
• Dynamic, flexible and delivery‑focused work ethic required to adapt to a fast‑paced environment.

Interview Process

• Recruiter screening call
• 1st Round – Intro call with Hiring manager
• 2nd Round – Case study round

Benefits

• In addition to a competitive salary and £5k car allowance you will also receive:
• Flexible working – we champion a flexible hybrid working approach.
• Competitive bonus scheme – all colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus.
• Physical wellbeing – Hastings pay for you to receive private medical Insurance (PMI).
• Financial wellbeing – providing you with 4x your salary with our life assurance cover, income protection at no extra cost, and matched pension contributions up to 10%.
• Mental wellbeing programme – thrive mental health app, colleague assistance programme available 24/7, in‑house mental health first aiders, support groups.
• 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell one of your weeks, access to health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, Cycle to work and tech schemes, discounted and free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year.

Equal Opportunities Statement

Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. We have a thorough referencing process, which includes credit and criminal record checks. At Hastings Direct, we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we encourage you to be open with us. Our recruitment team is here to provide the support you need to ensure a fair and accessible experience for all.