At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic data science team to drive impactful decisions in fintech.
- Company: Join a profitable, high-growth UK fintech at the forefront of innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus/equity options, and hybrid working model.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data science in lending and commercial strategy.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in data science and expertise in complex ML environments.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career growth in a collaborative and innovative setting.
The predicted salary is between 160000 - 200000 £ per year.
Do you want to lead a large data science function at the heart of a leading profitable fintech? Have you scaled standards, teams and decision-making across complex ML environments? Are you ready to shape how data science influences real commercial and lending decisions?
A high-growth UK fintech is looking for a Head of Data Science to lead and mature a multi-team DS function that underpins lending, product, risk and commercial strategy. The business has been operating for over a decade, is profitable, and has deployed data science at the core of its automated decision-making engine since its early days.
This is a senior leadership role focused on setting direction, improving consistency, and ensuring analytical work is trusted, interpretable and used across the business. You will not be expected to be hands-on day-to-day, but you must have the technical depth and judgement to evaluate complex modelling work in production.
Role summaryYou will lead a ~25-person data science organisation spanning credit, product and operations, with further growth planned. The remit is to raise standards, align DS effort to commercial value, and enable teams to operate effectively at scale in a probabilistic, production-grade environment.
Key responsibilities- Lead and scale a multi-team data science function (managers and ICs)
- Set clear standards for modelling quality, review, and communication
- Ensure models are deployed, monitored and governed in production
- Translate analytical insight into decisions for senior stakeholders
- Partner closely with Engineering, Product, Risk and Commercial leaders
- Own hiring, development and progression frameworks across DS
- Salary: £160–£200k
- Bonus / equity: Available (private company)
- Working model: Hybrid, Central London
- Tech focus: Probabilistic / statistical ML, production decision systems
Please note: this role cannot sponsor.
Interested? Please apply below.
Head of Data Science - Fintech in London employer: Harnham
Contact Detail:
Harnham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Data Science - Fintech in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the fintech space, especially those in data science. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience with complex ML environments and decision-making processes. This will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how you can lead and scale a data science function effectively. Tailor your message to show how your vision aligns with the company’s goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data Science - Fintech in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Data Science role. Highlight your leadership experience in data science, especially in fintech, and any relevant projects that showcase your ability to scale teams and influence decision-making.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about data science in fintech and how you can lead our multi-team function. Be specific about your vision for improving standards and driving commercial value through data.
Showcase Your Technical Depth: While you won't be hands-on every day, we want to see that you have the technical chops to evaluate complex modelling work. Mention any relevant tools, methodologies, or frameworks you've used in production-grade environments to demonstrate your expertise.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harnham
✨Know Your Data Science Fundamentals
Make sure you brush up on your data science fundamentals, especially in probabilistic and statistical ML. Be prepared to discuss how you've scaled teams and set standards in previous roles, as this will be crucial for the Head of Data Science position.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
This role is all about leadership, so come ready to share specific examples of how you've led a data science function before. Highlight your experience in managing teams, aligning efforts with commercial value, and ensuring quality in modelling work.
✨Prepare for Technical Depth Questions
Even though you won't be hands-on daily, you need to demonstrate your technical depth. Be ready to evaluate complex modelling work and discuss how you've ensured models are deployed and monitored effectively in production environments.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the fintech landscape and how data science influences lending and commercial decisions. Showing that you understand the business context will help you translate analytical insights into actionable decisions for senior stakeholders.