Principal Data Scientist in London
Principal Data Scientist

Principal Data Scientist in London

London Full-Time 116500 - 154588 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative data science projects and shape OVO's technical direction.
  • Company: Join OVO, a mission-driven company tackling the climate crisis.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, 15% bonus, 34 days holiday, and flexible benefits.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while advancing your data science career.
  • Qualifications: Expertise in machine learning, Python or R, and strong communication skills.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for mentorship and growth.

The predicted salary is between 116500 - 154588 £ per year.

Overview

Role: OVO-View

Team: Software Engineering

Location: Hub Based - Hybrid for all

Salary banding: £116,500 - 154,588

Experience: Expert

Working pattern: Full-Time

Reporting to: Director, Data & AI

Sponsorship: Unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

This role in 3 words: Ownership, Innovative, Impactful

Top 3 qualities for this role: Communication, Leadership, Drive

Role details

Where you’ll work: Depending on the needs of your business area, we expect hub based people to be in the office at least once a week, and to go to OVO Connection events in-person. You’ll be assigned to the closest one of our three hub offices, Bristol, Glasgow, or London; unless your role requires field-based work. Each hub has accessible spaces to park your laptop, is designed to inspire people, help them connect and bring big ideas to life.

Belonging and mission: Everyone belongs at OVO. At OVO, we are on a mission to solve one of humanity's biggest challenges, the climate crisis. We know it takes all of us to change the world. We need diverse people from all abilities, gender identities, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, life experiences and backgrounds to join us.

Teamworking for the planet: Everything we do here spins around Plan Zero. The team you’ll be joining plays a gigantic role in making that happen. We are building out new tools to support back-office teams resolve customer bill issues more easily and swiftly. We will trial the use of new AI capabilities to transform how our business operates and meets customer demands.

This role in a nutshell: As a Principal Data Scientist, you’ll play a key strategic role in shaping the future of our data science practice. You’ll lead innovative, high-impact projects, define our technical direction, and champion best practices across the organisation. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you’ll drive forward research and experimentation to keep OVO at the forefront of data science, ensuring our work is cutting-edge and aligned with our mission to build a more sustainable future.

Your key outcomes:

  • Technical Leadership and Vision: Shape and communicate the technical direction of OVO’s data science function, guiding the team through expert mentorship and driving the adoption of modern tools, technologies, and approaches to elevate our capabilities.
  • Leading Cutting-Edge Initiatives: Drive high-impact data science projects that solve complex business challenges and align with OVO’s strategic goals. Champion innovation and deliver scalable, forward-thinking solutions.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with engineering, product, and business teams to embed data science into products and decisions. Communicate insights clearly to diverse audiences and build trusted partnerships across the organisation.
  • Defining Technical Strategy: Develop a strategic roadmap for data science, informed by emerging trends and evolving business needs. Identify areas for innovation and lead the continuous evolution of our data science practice.
  • Driving Research Initiatives: Lead research into advanced techniques and applications, publishing findings and representing OVO at industry events. Foster a culture of experimentation and learning within the team.
  • Ensuring Best Practices: Establish standards for model development, validation, and deployment while ensuring data quality, compliance, and security. Promote scalable, reliable infrastructure and ethical data use.
  • Community of Practice: Lead and grow the data science Community of Practice, sharing knowledge, mentoring peers, and contributing to learning pathways that support development and career growth across the team.

Qualifications and attributes:

  • Proven ability to lead complex, high-impact data science initiatives that drive strategic outcomes.
  • Deep expertise in advanced machine learning, statistical methods, and algorithm development.
  • Proficient in Python or R, and advanced SQL, with strong research and analytical skills.
  • Demonstrated experience evaluating and applying emerging tools, technologies, and methodologies.
  • Skilled in defining and executing data science strategies aligned with business objectives.
  • Strong communicator, able to clearly explain technical concepts to diverse technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Effective collaborator with cross-functional teams, building trusted relationships across the organisation.
  • Recognised for technical leadership, mentorship, and fostering a culture of continuous innovation.
  • Committed to best practices in data science, ensuring quality, compliance, and scalable infrastructure.

What’s in it for you: We keep our pay ranges broad on purpose to give us, and you, flexibility to match your experience to our zero carbon mission. You’ll be eligible for an on-target bonus of 15%. We have one OVO bonus plan that focuses on the collective performance of our people to deliver our Plan Zero goal. We offer green benefits and progressive policies to help you belong at OVO… and there’s flex pay. We’ll give you 9% Flex Pay on top of your salary – 4% of this is auto enrolled into your pension, and the remaining 5% is yours to use with our flexible benefits, including green benefits, pension, or take it as cash.

Here’s a taster of what’s on offer: 34 days of holiday (including...

Principal Data Scientist in London employer: OVO

At OVO, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong commitment to sustainability and a mission to tackle the climate crisis, our employees enjoy meaningful work that makes a real impact. We provide extensive growth opportunities, competitive salaries, and a flexible benefits package, all within inspiring hub-based offices in Bristol, Glasgow, or London, where diverse talents come together to drive change.
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Contact Detail:

OVO Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Data Scientist in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend meetups, conferences, or even local events related to data science. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects and achievements. Whether it's a GitHub repo or a personal website, having tangible evidence of your work can really set you apart from the competition.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to data science. Think about how you can demonstrate your leadership and communication skills, as these are key qualities for the Principal Data Scientist role.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our mission at OVO.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Scientist in London

Technical Leadership
Data Science Strategy
Machine Learning
Statistical Methods
Algorithm Development
Python
R
SQL
Research Skills
Analytical Skills
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Communication Skills
Mentorship
Innovation
Data Quality Assurance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Data Scientist role. Highlight your experience in leading data science initiatives and how it aligns with OVO's mission to tackle the climate crisis.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise in Python, R, and SQL. Include specific examples of projects where you’ve applied advanced machine learning techniques or statistical methods to solve complex problems.

Communicate Clearly: Remember, communication is key! Use clear and concise language to explain your technical achievements. We want to see how you can convey complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.

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 at OVO!

How to prepare for a job interview at OVO

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on advanced machine learning techniques and statistical methods. Be ready to discuss your past projects in detail, especially those that had a significant impact. This role is all about innovation, so be prepared to share how you've driven change in previous positions.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Principal Data Scientist, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and mentor others. Think of examples where you've guided a project or helped a colleague grow. Highlight your experience in fostering a culture of continuous innovation and collaboration.

✨Communicate Clearly

You’ll be working with cross-functional teams, so it's crucial to explain complex technical concepts in simple terms. Practice articulating your ideas clearly and concisely. Use examples from your experience to illustrate how you've successfully communicated insights to diverse audiences.

✨Align with OVO's Mission

OVO is all about tackling the climate crisis, so show your passion for sustainability. Be ready to discuss how your work in data science can contribute to their Plan Zero goals. Research OVO’s initiatives and think about how you can align your expertise with their mission.

Principal Data Scientist in London
OVO
Location: London

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