Data Scientist Senior Manager

We are easyJet – a FTSE‑250 listed, £multi‑billion low‑cost airline that serves tens of millions of customers every single year. If you’re reading this, you have probably already been an easyJet customer, and you’ll know that there is no more iconic (or Orange!) travel brand in Europe. We fly more than 1,207 routes, connecting 38 countries across Europe, and employ more than 18,000 colleagues. We’re on a mission to make low‑cost travel easy – and whatever your role here, you’ll connect millions of people to what they love using Europe’s best airline network, great value fares, and friendly service.

What makes us easyJet? Our Promise Behaviours – we are Safe, Bold, Welcoming and Challenging. Four Behaviours. One Spirit. One easyJet.

TEAM

The role sits in our Ops Data & Intelligence team which serves as the centre of excellence for all data delivery, analytical and data science capabilities in the Operations function. Specifically, this new role will lead our data science team (5 individuals) as we seek to leverage advanced analytics to improve operational performance including driving on time performance, cost efficiency and customer satisfaction. The team works closely with a growing number of internal stakeholders across easyJet on multiple transformation projects. This role reports into the Head of Operations Data and Intelligence.

JOB PURPOSE

The Data Scientist Senior Manager will be responsible for:

• Leadership & Team Management: lead, mentor, and develop a team of data scientists, fostering a high‑performance and collaborative culture. Ensure best practices in modelling, experimentation, and deployment.
• Data Science & Advanced Analytics: design and implement predictive and prescriptive models for airline operations. Apply machine learning, optimisation techniques, and statistical analysis to large, complex datasets. Translate business problems into analytical frameworks and actionable solutions to improve decision making.
• Stakeholder engagement: manage project prioritization, resource allocation, and stakeholder communication. Own and lead the entire Data Science Project Lifecycle utilising an advanced knowledge level of the Data Science Toolbox and a good understanding of the nuances of the easyJet business. Oversight of data science application to the airline ops tech strategy and product ways of working to drive better decision making and outcomes.

KEY SKILLS REQUIRED

• Significant and demonstrable experience as a Data Scientist.
• Strong team leadership skills are essential, including the ability to mentor data scientists, foster collaboration across cross‑functional teams, and drive high‑impact projects from conception to delivery while aligning with business objectives.
• Advanced knowledge level of the Data Science Toolbox (fundamentals of mathematics and statistics, computer programming, data ingestion, data munging, data visualisation, machine learning, optimisation, simulation, reinforcement learning, and big‑data techniques and technologies).
• Experience of leading and landing successful Data Science projects in an operational setting (preferred).
• Understand key user personas, customers and stakeholders for your project and their pain points really well.
• Great prioritisation and decision‑making skills, in line with business priorities and resource allocation.
• Active participation in the wider analytics community building and sharing knowledge with peers.
• Help others in the team and the wider operations function, to keep up‑to‑date with data trends and developments as key member of the Operations Data & Intelligence Leadership team.

COMPETENCIES

• Ownership and Delivery: Ensures self and others achieve in line with expectations by setting stretching objectives focused on key priorities. Has a strong results orientation, anticipating obstacles and dealing with setbacks. Provides a high level of challenge and support to team members who are not delivering in line with expectations.
• Innovation and Change: Identifies opportunities for significantly improving efficiency in easyJet. Encourages creativity and innovation from team members. Drives others to implement changes and improvements, by explaining the need for change and dealing constructively with resistance.
• Developing Talent: Uses the performance management process to deliver high performance and motivate people to achieve their level of potential. Seeks and identifies people with potential to develop and invests time and energy to develop these people. Provides feedback and coaching to build a strong team of talent individuals able to deliver the business strategy.
• Inspirational Leadership: Inspires their team by providing a clear direction to their team, ensuring that they are clear on how their work aligns to the bigger picture. Prepared to have some difficult conversations with others to ensure a high level of performance and coaches their managers to do the same. Spends significant time leading their people to develop a high performance team.

Business Area Operations

What you’ll get in return

At easyJet, we pride ourselves on a vibrant and inclusive workplace culture that supports and rewards innovation and excellence. We offer:

• Competitive base salary.
• 25 days holiday, pension scheme, life assurance, and a flexible benefits package.
• Discounted staff travel scheme for friends and family.
• Annual credit for discount on easyJet holidays.
• ‘Work Away’ scheme, allowing you to work abroad for 30 days a year.
• Electric vehicle lease salary sacrifice scheme.

Location & Hours of Work

We operate a hybrid working policy of 40%‑60% of the month spent with colleagues.

Reasonable Adjustments

At easyJet, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse customers we serve across Europe. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds. If you require specific adjustments or support during the application or recruitment process, such as extra time for assessments or accessible interview locations, please contact us at ma.recruitment@easyjet.com. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure accessibility and accommodation.