Head of Data Science in London

Head of Data Science in London

London Full-Time 75000 - 82000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Mirai Tech Recruitment

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a data science team to drive impactful insights for public benefit.
  • Company: Mission-driven organisation focused on improving outcomes for real people.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid work, and pension scheme.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with opportunities for collaboration and growth.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of data science while making a genuine social impact.
  • Qualifications: Experience in data leadership, strong programming skills, and a passion for public service.

The predicted salary is between 75000 - 82000 £ per year.

We’re working with a mission-driven organisation that exists for one reason: to be the voice of the people it serves. Every piece of work, every insight, every decision is ultimately about improving real outcomes for real people. It’s a pivotal moment for the organisation as it prepares to take on significant new responsibilities, and data will be central to that mission.

They’re now looking for a Head of Data Science to lead a small multidisciplinary team and shape the future of their data capability from the ground up, in an organisation where the work genuinely matters.

The role

This is a hands-on leadership role combining statistical analysis, machine learning and business acumen to identify opportunities, solve complex problems and drive measurable value, not for its own sake, but to strengthen the organisation’s ability to advocate for the people who rely on it. You’ll own the core data service as an ongoing internal capability, working closely with the Insight team to combine operational and external data with user feedback, generating richer evidence for challenge and advocacy.

You’ll operate in a matrix environment, working across teams to keep data science and external data activity aligned to organisational needs, while increasingly exploring the use of AI and emerging technologies in service of that same people-first mission.

What you’ll do

  • Lead a small multidisciplinary team covering data ingestion, quality, reporting, dashboards, analysis and future data science capability
  • Own and manage the data service roadmap, prioritising new data sources and reporting in partnership with internal stakeholders
  • Present a consistent, trusted view of performance to support effective challenge, reporting and advocacy on behalf of the people the organisation represents
  • Analyse large, complex datasets to identify trends, patterns and opportunities for improvement
  • Develop, test and deploy predictive and statistical models as data maturity increases
  • Apply machine learning techniques and emerging AI developments to real-world problems
  • Collaborate closely with a data engineer to ensure data availability and quality
  • Communicate insights and recommendations clearly through visualisations, reports and presentations
  • Support experimentation and A/B testing to inform decision-making
  • Ensure best practice in data governance, ethics and compliance throughout

About you

  • Experience leading or managing a data, analytics or reporting service, including delivery, governance and continuous improvement
  • Experience leading a multidisciplinary data team spanning engineering, analysis, reporting and data science
  • Proven background as a Data Scientist or in a similar analytical role
  • Strong programming skills in Python and/or R, with solid SQL
  • Experience with machine learning frameworks such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow or PyTorch
  • Strong grounding in statistics, probability and data modelling
  • Experience with large datasets and cloud-based platforms
  • Familiarity with visualisation tools such as Tableau or Power BI
  • Comfortable working in a matrix environment, building relationships and clarifying priorities across teams
  • Genuinely motivated by using data for public benefit, not just technical challenge
  • Experience with public sector or operational performance datasets would be beneficial

The package

  • 75,000 base salary, plus an allowance of up to 7,000 subject to experience
  • 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Hybrid working, minimum two days a week in the office
  • Access to the Civil Service Pension Scheme, including Alpha
  • Employee assistance programme

We believe in the power of diversity and the importance of an inclusive culture. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, understanding that a range of perspectives strengthens both our team and our partners’ teams. This is one of the ways we’re helping shape a more collaborative and diverse future in the workplace.

If you’re a data science leader who wants to build a team and function from the ground up, and wants your technical skill to serve a genuine social mission rather than just a bottom line, we’d love to hear from you.

Head of Data Science in London employer: Mirai Tech Recruitment

Join a mission-driven organisation in London or Manchester as the Head of Data Science, where your work will directly impact the lives of the people you serve. With a strong focus on employee growth and a collaborative culture, you'll lead a multidisciplinary team to harness data for meaningful advocacy, all while enjoying a competitive salary, generous leave, and hybrid working options. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to a public sector initiative that values diversity and inclusivity, making it a truly rewarding place to work.

Mirai Tech Recruitment

Contact Details:

Mirai Tech Recruitment Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Data Science in London

Get Involved in Data Science Meetups

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Show Off Your Projects

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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 Mirai Tech Recruitment.

Apply Directly through Our Website

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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data Science in London

SQL
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Python
Automation
Data Governance
Data Engineering

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 Mirai Tech Recruitment, 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 Mirai Tech Recruitment. 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 Mirai Tech Recruitment

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 Mirai Tech Recruitment!

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.