At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data science strategy to transform customer data into commercial value and enhance customer experience.
- Company: Join NEXT, a leading FTSE-100 retail company with a global presence.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, share options, discounts, and health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving sales growth through innovative data solutions.
- Qualifications: Proven expertise in data science, project management, and retail experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.
Join NEXT as the Head of Data Science and take a pivotal role in transforming our vast customer data into measurable commercial value and an exceptional customer experience. This is a unique opportunity to lead the strategy for key commercial applications, driving sales growth and market leadership. Based at Head Office in Enderby, Leicestershire. Salary is highly competitive and complemented by management share options, car allowance, private medical insurance and more.
About the Role
This position's central purpose is to monetise the huge amount of data NEXT collects—billions of rows per week—to grow sales by making it easier for customers to find the items they want that make them feel great every day. You will be tasked with leading the modelling, reporting and use of generative and agentic AI. A solid focus on commercial outcomes is crucial, requiring you to develop and implement the functional strategy for significant areas like NEXT ads, Search, and Recommendations. Key strategic projects include Personalisation for the website, emails, and digital marketing, in real time, by leveraging the latest in data science techniques. This work is concentrated on the e-commerce remit and the goal is to improve each step of the strategy and execution rather than following a rigid, large-scale roadmap. You will also lead key partnering relationships with senior executives across the organisation, providing high-quality advice, particularly around Personalisation. As a leader, you will be guiding a team of 12 people with 2-3 direct reports and tackling the biggest challenge of commercially advancing Data Science within the business and aiding in the adoption of new AI tools across the business. You will work closely with the Data Engineering and Web Analytics functions to utilise their expertise in aiding your model building and ensuring your data architecture is robust.
About You
We are looking for a candidate who is a recognised thought leader in their area of expertise and is prepared to challenge and question priorities up to CEO level. You must be solid on commercials and concentrate on delivering results that bring the clearest commercial benefit. You must be able to translate innovative ideas into practical solutions and actively champion the best creative ideas into implementation. Experience in retail, particularly online, is ideal, leveraging data from 15 million customers and 20 million weekly visits. A background in Project Management is essential, with the ability to guide others on managing projects within the desired cost, time, and quality parameters. You must be comfortable acting as the organisational authority on Data Collection and Analysis, and managing information throughout its lifecycle, including the design of architectures, policies, and practices. The role requires a committed office presence to ensure vital stakeholder and peer presence. You are prepared to make tough decisions, even if unpopular, and have the strength and maturity to support individuals and teams through difficult circumstances.
About Us
You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland? We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy online from over 70 countries around the world!
About The Team
- 25% off most NEXT, MADE, Lipsy, Gap and Victoria's Secret products (when purchased through NEXT)
- Company performance based bonus
- Sharesave scheme
- On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
- 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
- Early VIP access to sale stock
- Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
- Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
- Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
- Free on-site parking
- Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
- Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
- Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
- Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
- Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more
Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change. We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.
Head Of Data Science in Leicester employer: Next
At NEXT, we pride ourselves on being a leading FTSE-100 retail company that values innovation and employee growth. As the Head of Data Science, you will be at the forefront of transforming our customer data into impactful strategies, all while enjoying a competitive salary, extensive benefits including management share options, and a supportive work culture that fosters collaboration and creativity. Located in Enderby, Leicestershire, our vibrant office environment encourages professional development and offers unique perks such as an on-site nursery and access to health and wellbeing services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Data Science in Leicester
✨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 Next!
✨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 Head Of Data Science at Next.
✨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 Next.
✨Apply Directly through Our Website
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We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Data Science in Leicester
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 Next, 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 Next. 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 Next
✨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 Next!
✨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.
