At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative AI projects and mentor a talented team of data scientists.
- Company: Join Faculty, a pioneering AI company transforming industries with human-centric technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy unlimited annual leave, private healthcare, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture that values intellectual curiosity and positive impact.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the AI space while shaping the future of retail.
- Qualifications: Expertise in machine learning and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Why Faculty? We established Faculty in 2014 because we thought that AI would be the most important technology of our time. Since then, we’ve worked with over 350 global customers to transform their performance through human-centric AI. We don’t chase hype cycles. We innovate, build and deploy responsible AI which moves the needle - and we know a thing or two about doing it well. We bring an unparalleled depth of technical, product and delivery expertise to our clients who span government, finance, retail, energy, life sciences and defence.
Our business, and reputation, is growing fast and we’re always on the lookout for individuals who share our intellectual curiosity and desire to build a positive legacy through technology. AI is an epoch-defining technology, join a company where you’ll be empowered to envision its most powerful applications, and to make them happen.
About the team: Our Retail and Consumer experts are dedicated to helping clients in an industry which is being transformed by new technologies and evolving consumer expectations. Leveraging over a decade of experience in Applied AI, we combine exceptional technical and delivery expertise to empower businesses to adapt and thrive.
About the role: As a Lead Data Scientist, you'll take on a pivotal, entrepreneurial role, functioning as the technical expert who thrives on complexity and commercial impact. You will be responsible for setting the technical direction and ensuring the high-quality, scalable delivery of our most challenging, high-impact projects. This position combines deep expertise in machine learning with strategic oversight to define project roadmaps, manage technical risk, and architect reliable solutions. Your focus will be on driving innovation, mentoring cross-functional teams, and actively shaping both our technical standards and long-term customer relationships.
What you'll be doing:
- Setting the technical direction for complex, business-critical projects and expertly balancing trade-offs between speed, innovation, and reliability.
- Designing and implementing reliable, production-grade technical solutions, ensuring comprehensive documentation of architectures and specifications.
- Defining project problems, developing clear roadmaps, and overseeing end-to-end delivery across multi-disciplinary workstreams.
- Leading technical scoping and feasibility studies for high-value sales opportunities and strategic customer engagements.
- Managing relationships and communications with demanding clients, fostering trust and aligning technical solutions with shared long-term commercial goals.
- Driving the adoption of best practices, shared resources, and robust technical processes across the wider Data Science craft.
- Mentoring and developing other data scientists and team members, actively contributing to the growth and technical excellence of the organisation.
Who we're looking for:
- You bring depth of expertise in at least one machine learning domain and strong technical breadth across the entire data science landscape.
- You are a skilled technical leader, proficient in mentoring individuals, managing teams (including other managers), and rolling out impactful tools and workflows.
- You have proven project management expertise, capable of dividing complex, ill-defined problems into actionable, clearly defined workstreams with timelines you can defend.
- You are adept at managing ill-defined, high-risk tasks, consistently delivering innovative and practical outcomes under commercial pressure.
- You possess strong customer leadership skills, able to act as a trusted technical advisor and drive long-term strategic relationships with demanding clients.
- You excel at cross-functional collaboration, effectively aligning technical strategy with Engineering, Commercial (BD), and Infrastructure teams.
- You have experience extending technical oversight to business unit-level initiatives, using your vision to influence and contribute to organisational success.
Our Interview Process: Talent Team Screen (30 minutes), Introduction to the team (30 minutes), Take Home Technical Assessment, Technical Interview (90 minutes), Commercial Interview (60 minutes).
Our Recruitment Ethos: We aim to grow the best team - not the most similar one. We know that diversity of individuals fosters diversity of thought, and that strengthens our principle of seeking truth. And we know from experience that diverse teams deliver better work, relevant to the world in which we live. We’re united by a deep intellectual curiosity and desire to use our abilities for measurable positive impact. We strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, religions and sexual orientations.
Some of our standout benefits:
- Unlimited Annual Leave Policy
- Private healthcare and dental
- Enhanced parental leave
- Family-Friendly Flexibility & Flexible working
- Sanctus Coaching
- Hybrid Working
If you don’t feel you meet all the requirements, but are excited by the role and know you bring some key strengths, please don't hesitate in applying as you might be right for this role, or other roles. We are open to conversations about part-time hours.
Lead Data Scientist - Retail in London employer: Faculty AI
At Faculty, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of AI innovation, empowering our employees to explore and implement transformative solutions in a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer unlimited annual leave, private healthcare, and flexible working arrangements, ensuring a healthy work-life balance while fostering a culture of mentorship and continuous learning. Join us in London, where you can make a meaningful impact in the retail sector and beyond, surrounded by a diverse team that values curiosity and creativity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Data Scientist - Retail in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with alumni from your university. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect Lead Data Scientist role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company, understand their projects, and think about how your skills can contribute to their goals. Practise common interview questions and be ready to showcase your technical expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are excited about joining us. Plus, it gives you a better chance to stand out in the crowd.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Scientist - Retail in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Lead Data Scientist role. Highlight your experience in machine learning and project management, and show how your skills align with our mission at Faculty.
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past projects, focus on the impact you've made. Use metrics and specific examples to demonstrate how your work has driven innovation and commercial success in previous roles.
Be Authentic:We value authenticity, so let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for AI and how you envision contributing to our team and clients. We want to see the real you!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of getting noticed, apply directly through our website. This ensures your application goes straight to our talent team, who are eager to find the right fit for our growing company.
How to prepare for a job interview at Faculty AI
✨Know Your Machine Learning Stuff
As a Lead Data Scientist, you'll need to showcase your depth of expertise in machine learning. Brush up on the latest techniques and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in real-world scenarios. Prepare examples that highlight your problem-solving skills and innovative thinking.
✨Master the Art of Communication
Since you'll be managing relationships with demanding clients, practice articulating complex technical concepts in simple terms. Think about how you can align technical solutions with business goals, and be prepared to demonstrate your customer leadership skills during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience in breaking down complex projects into manageable workstreams. Prepare to share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated high-risk tasks and delivered results under pressure. This will show your potential employer that you can handle the challenges of the role.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Highlight your ability to work cross-functionally with different teams. Think of instances where you've collaborated with engineering, commercial, or infrastructure teams to achieve a common goal. This will demonstrate your capability to align technical strategy with broader organisational objectives.
