Lead Data Scientist (Data Science and AI) - Insight in Bristol

Lead Data Scientist (Data Science and AI) – Insight

Organisation: HM Revenue & Customs

Locations: Bristol, Leeds, Manchester

Application Deadline: 6 days remaining

Salary: £73,092

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the development and direction of DS&AI, setting bold, forward-thinking strategies that will leverage Data Science and AI to deliver improved public services and drive organisational efficiency.
• Secure strong engagement, commitment and support from senior leaders and managers, fostering a shared commitment to the DS&AI vision and strategy across all levels of the organisation.
• Lead and nurture a high-performing team, providing line management to three Team Leaders and supporting a wider group of seventeen colleagues. Champion professional growth and capability within the team.
• Lead the end-to-end delivery of data science and AI solutions that are embedded into operational services, ensuring ideas move rapidly from concept to live use and deliver measurable benefits for frontline teams.
• Work closely with Operations to gain a deep understanding of business needs and challenges, developing practical, innovative solutions that make a meaningful difference across the agency.
• Act as a champion for a holistic, organisation-wide approach to data and analysis, promoting a culture of innovation, excellence and inclusivity within the VO.
• Play an active role within the wider ID&A Senior Leadership Team, deputising for the Deputy Director of ID&A when required, and contributing to the strategic direction of the directorate.

Person Specification

We are looking for a passionate innovative leader who can think strategically and deliver quick wins at pace while utilising data science and AI to drive operational improvements.

Essential Requirements

• A strong track record of shaping and delivering a data science and AI vision into prioritised, outcome-focused operational plans, delivering measurable improvements while navigating complex environments and competing stakeholder priorities.
• Proven ability to secure commitment from senior leaders and operational stakeholders, translating complex analytical or technical concepts into clear, compelling narratives that drive adoption, behaviour change and sustained impact.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver data, analytics or digital products using Agile and iterative delivery methods, balancing innovation with risk, governance and operational realities, and demonstrating delivery of tangible outcomes.
• Demonstrable experience of working in close partnership with operational or delivery functions to ensure analytical and AI solutions are practical, usable, and embedded into day-to-day processes.
• A visible and enabling leadership style, with experience of building high-performing, inclusive teams, developing leadership capability, and fostering a culture of collaboration, learning and continuous improvement.
• Applied maths, statistics and scientific practices, including significant experience leading applied data science work (e.g. ML, LLMs, predictive modelling, optimisation, risk-based allocation or analytical insight) that has directly improved operational or delivery performance, prioritisation or service outcomes.
• Experience of integrating data science and/or AI with user research, customer insight or business analysis to ensure solutions are evidence-based, user-centered and aligned to real operational and customer needs.

Behaviours

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving

Technical Skills

During the selection process, candidates will be asked technical questions to assess their technical skills.