At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to develop advanced data science solutions for digital insurance.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing digital insurance provider with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the insurance industry with your data science expertise.
- Qualifications: Experience in predictive modelling, machine learning, and strong SQL skills required.
The predicted salary is between 26159 - 31972 £ per year.
We’re a digital insurance provider with ambitious plans to become the best and biggest in the UK market. We’ve made huge investments in our pricing and data capabilities over the past few years, along with nurturing our 4Cs culture. We provide insurance for over four million customers, but we know there’s even bigger opportunity out there – our Pricing, Data and Analytics community value curiosity, collaboration and constructive challenge. We are always looking for new ideas and diverse perspectives to question established thinking and drive meaningful change. Great pricing is built on trust, innovation and precision, so our aim is to ensure customers receive a fair and accurate price based on their individual risk, supporting fair outcomes, while delivering sustainable and profitable growth for our company. Pricing is more than just a number – it’s a strategic capability. At the heart of Hastings is deep risk insight – continually improving how we assess, segment and price risk through data and analytics.
Location: Bexhill/Leicester/London – Hybrid
Role Purpose
The Senior Data Scientist/Data Science Manager will combine their knowledge and understanding of data science concepts with Hastings’ domain knowledge and processes to develop advanced solutions to help Hastings become the top digital insurer in the UK. They will lead a team of data scientists, who will assist them in the creation of data science solutions.
Accountabilities
- Lead the delivery of predictive modelling projects from problem definition through development, validation, production integration and ongoing monitoring.
- Mastering Hastings’ systems, processes, and technology to maximise the effectiveness of your team.
- Identify, assess and prepare new data features, evaluating their predictive value, stability, interpretability and potential impact on customer pricing outcomes.
- Build and promote reusable, maintainable and reproducible modelling tools, pipelines and development practices.
- Lead a small team of data scientists, supporting their technical development and helping them deliver high-quality work.
- Work with senior leaders to help shape the team’s data science strategy and identify opportunities to improve modelling capability, processes and ways of working.
- Contribute to and help establish best-practice standards for modelling, software development, testing, documentation and deployment.
Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience
- Deep understanding of predictive modelling and machine learning techniques, including linear and gradient boosted models.
- Demonstrable experience delivering data science solutions that have influenced business decisions and generated measurable commercial value.
- Strong SQL skills, including experience extracting, transforming and preparing data for predictive modelling.
- Proficiency and experience using Python and ML libraries to build and integrate data science products.
- Experience using Git for version control and collaborative software development.
- Ability to lead technical discussions, influence senior stakeholders and explain complex analytical concepts clearly.
- Experience working collaboratively across multi-disciplinary teams.
- Experience reviewing the technical work of other data scientists.
Desirable
- Experience using Azure Machine Learning Studio or similar cloud-based ML platforms.
- Experience using Snowflake or similar cloud-based data platforms.
- Experience leading, supporting, and mentoring junior colleagues.
- Experience applying data science or predictive modelling within general insurance.
Personal Attributes
- Natural problem solver who loves building quality solutions to complex real-world challenges.
- Dynamic, flexible, and delivery focussed.
- Takes ownership and accountability.
Recruitment Process
- Recruitment screening call
- 1st Round Intro with the hiring leader
- Case Study round – a mix of Technical and Competency
As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are fully inclusive. We also welcome applications through the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS).
What We Offer
- Attractive salary based on experience + car allowance (pay reviews also completed each year)
- Flexible Working – we champion a flexible and hybrid working approach.
- Competitive Bonus Scheme – all colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus.
- Physical Wellbeing – Hastings pays for private medical Insurance (PMI).
- Financial Wellbeing – life assurance cover, income protection, pension contribution match up to 10%.
- Mental Wellbeing programme – support for mental health.
- 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, with options to buy or sell contracted weeks.
- Access to health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, Cycle to work and tech schemes.
- Social events throughout the year.
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.
If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we encourage you to be open with us.
Senior Data Scientist employer: Hastings Direct
Hastings Direct is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, particularly within our Telematics Data Value team. We offer competitive benefits, continuous professional development opportunities, and a commitment to employee growth, all while being located in a vibrant area that encourages creativity and teamwork. Join us to make a meaningful impact on pricing strategies and customer outcomes in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Data Scientist
✨Get Involved in Data Science Meetups
Tap into local data science meetups or workshops to connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. These events are goldmines for networking, and sometimes even lead directly to job openings at companies like Hastings Direct!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Start building a public portfolio showcasing your data science projects on platforms like GitHub or personal websites. Highlight unique analyses or models you've developed. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gets your name out there for roles like Senior Data Scientist at Hastings Direct.
✨Leverage Professional Networks
Join professional bodies related to data science, like the Data Science Society or similar organisations. Getting involved can lead to mentorship opportunities and insider knowledge about full-time positions at companies like Hastings Direct.
✨Apply Directly through Our Website
When you find a suitable opening like Senior Data Scientist at Hastings Direct, make sure to apply directly through our website. It gives you an edge and shows you're keen to join our team. Plus, who doesn’t love a direct application? It’s easier than navigating through job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Data Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at Hastings Direct, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at Hastings Direct. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hastings Direct
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at Hastings Direct!
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.
