At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data science projects that optimise decision-making and drive business value.
- Company: Join British Airways, a pioneering airline with over 100 years of history.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff travel perks, competitive salary, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusion and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the aviation industry with innovative data solutions.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in leading data science initiatives.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
hackajob is collaborating with British Airways to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.
A career without limits. As the nation’s flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain. This originality has been in our blood since day one. It’s the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners, and our colleagues. A job at British Airways is yours to make. We know great things can happen when you’re inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways the sky is never the limit.
The Role: You’ll be part of the Operations Delivery Intelligence (ODI) directorate, leading the delivery of high‑value data science products that support and automate decision‑making across critical business areas. This team plays a vital role in unlocking value from data, driving optimisation and enabling evidence‑based decisions across the airline.
What You’ll Do:
- Lead the end‑to‑end delivery and lifecycle management of data science products and initiatives.
- Scope and frame ill‑defined business problems and define data science solutions aligned with business goals.
- Manage and coach data science teams delivering predictive models, optimisation engines and decision‑support tools.
- Design, build and deploy production‑ready data science solutions that integrate with business processes and digital platforms.
- Ensure quality, timely delivery and ongoing value of data science products.
- Acquire, process and analyse large and complex datasets to create high‑quality model inputs.
- Translate analytical outputs into clear, actionable business recommendations.
- Provide guidance to stakeholders on how data science solutions improve business outcomes.
- Oversee improvements, maintenance and decommissioning of existing data science products.
- Ensure adherence to published frameworks, best practice, model compliance and ethical standards.
- Monitor industry trends and advancements in data science.
- Work collaboratively within cross‑functional Agile squads.
- Contribute to feature prioritisation and road‑mapping, balancing speed and long‑term value.
- Lead and embed effective agile ways of working, including engineering standards and delivery discipline.
What You’ll Bring To British Airways:
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to structure ambiguous problems.
- Proven technical leadership in data science and machine learning delivery.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to senior and non‑technical audiences.
- Confidence challenging constructively and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Strong stakeholder relationship‑building capability.
- Experience coaching, developing and line‑managing others.
- Ethical and responsible approach to data science and AI.
- Collaborative, empowering and resilient working style.
- Continuous improvement mindset with a strong focus on business impact.
Your Experience:
- Numerate degree or equivalent with data science components.
- Experience of leading others in applying data science to business problems.
- Experience in developing industrialised software, especially data science or machine learning software products.
- Experience in relevant business domains (transportation, airlines, operations, network problems) (preferred).
What We Offer: We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. From the day you join us, you’ll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You’ll also receive up to 30 discounted ‘Hotline’ airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family. At British Airways you’ll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress.
Inclusion & Diversity: At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work. Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.
Principal Data Scientist - Operations employer: hackajob
Contact Detail:
hackajob Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Data Scientist - Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at British Airways on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common data science questions. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you showcase your problem-solving skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for data science! During interviews, share examples of projects you've worked on that align with British Airways' goals. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and how you can add value to their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your genuine interest in the role. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Scientist - Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Data Scientist role. Highlight your experience in data science and how it aligns with British Airways' goals. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to the table!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of your successes in previous roles. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate the impact of your work. This helps us understand the value you can bring to our team.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role. We appreciate clarity, and it makes it easier for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining British Airways!
How to prepare for a job interview at hackajob
✨Understand the Role
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Principal Data Scientist role and its responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with how data science can drive decision-making in operations, especially within the airline industry. This will help you articulate how your skills align with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with data science and machine learning. Bring examples of predictive models or optimisation engines you've developed. Highlight how these solutions have positively impacted business outcomes, as this is crucial for the role at British Airways.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll be working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. Use relatable examples to demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between data science and business strategy, which is key for influencing senior stakeholders.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
British Airways values a collaborative working style. Be ready to share experiences where you've successfully worked in cross-functional teams or Agile environments. Discuss how you’ve coached others and contributed to team success, showcasing your leadership and mentoring abilities.