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- Tasks: Lead data science strategy and develop predictive models to optimise pricing and enhance customer experiences.
- Company: Pikl, a dynamic company revolutionising digital marketplaces with innovative insurance solutions.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 28 days holiday, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a culture that values curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-growth company while leading a talented data science team.
- Qualifications: Hands-on experience in data science, strong skills in Python, R, and SQL.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About Pikl
Pikl is on a mission to enable the growth of digital marketplaces, starting with vacation rentals. We design and deliver insurance-enabled solutions that help platforms, property managers and owners unlock new revenue and deliver better customer experiences. Founded in 2016, we began by protecting individual hosts and homeowners with specialist holiday-let cover. That experience now powers our insurance-enabled products, which increase participation, lift conversion and drive revenue across the marketplace value chain: platforms, homeowners and guests. With offices in Norwich and London, and plans for international expansion, we work with some of the most recognised brands in travel as well as major insurance aggregators.
About the role
The Head of Data Science will lead Pikl’s data science strategy, advanced analytics capability, and decision intelligence roadmap. This is a technical leadership role with a strong emphasis on hands-on model development and advanced analytics while building and scaling a high-performing, multidisciplinary team. You will oversee the end-to-end development and deployment of machine learning models and predictive analytics, while also managing the Business Intelligence (BI) and Data Analysis functions. This is a high-impact role requiring a balance of rigorous technical execution and strategic leadership to ensure Pikl harnesses data to optimise pricing, enhance customer experiences, and support international expansion.
Key Responsibilities
- Technical Leadership & Data Science Execution
- Design, build and deploy predictive models, pricing algorithms, and segmentation frameworks.
- Apply statistical modelling, machine learning and experimentation techniques to real-world business problems.
- Use Python, R and SQL for data exploration, feature engineering, modelling and evaluation.
- Select appropriate techniques such as regression, tree-based methods, clustering, time-series analysis and experimentation.
- Ensure models are robust, interpretable and suitable for use in regulated decision-making.
- Monitor model performance, manage iteration and refine approaches as data, markets and products evolve.
- Build, mentor, and lead a team comprising Data Scientists, BI Analysts, and Data Analysts.
- Define and own an enterprise-wide strategy that aligns advanced data science with core BI reporting and MI frameworks.
- Champion a culture of experimentation, evidence-based decision-making, and continuous technical improvement across the data function.
- Champion a commercial mindset ensuring technical development is tethered to clear business KPIs and Pikl’s core growth strategy.
- Act as a key technical partner to Pikl’s Exec Team and Underwriting, Pricing, Product, and Finance functions to provide actionable decision-support solutions.
- Oversee the delivery of strategic dashboards and MI that empower stakeholders with clarity on business performance.
- Support market expansion and operational scaling by providing analytical expertise and performance optimisation insights.
- Partner with Engineering and Technology teams to ensure data pipelines and tooling to support scalable analytics and product development.
- Drive best practices in data ethics, privacy, and quality assurance, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
About you
- Significant experience in hands-on data science roles, with strong grounding in statistics, machine learning and analytical problem-solving.
- Expert capability in Python and/or R, with strong SQL skills and experience working with complex datasets.
- Experience owning analytical problems end-to-end, from data exploration through to recommendation and impact.
- Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, mentoring and direction to other data scientists or analysts.
- Strong communication skills, with confidence engaging senior stakeholders and executive leadership.
- Highly analytical, commercially aware and pragmatic, with sound judgement and decision-making ability.
- Able to be in our Norwich office 2-3 days per week.
Desirable but not essential
- Relevant academic or professional background in data science, mathematics, statistics, economics or a related field.
- Experience applying data science in insurance, travel, platform or marketplace businesses.
- Background in startups, scaleups, MGAs or digitally-led regulated environments.
- Experience building or operating pricing, risk or decisioning models in production.
Our Values
At Pikl, our values are the foundation on which our success is built. They guide how we work together, how we make decisions for customers and colleagues, and what we recognise and reward.
- Possibility: We think big and are fearless in turning challenges into opportunities. We stay curious, test ideas and learn quickly.
- People: We put people first, building relationships rooted in empathy and trust. We respect, include, and learn from one another. We celebrate progress.
- Progress: We unlock growth opportunities for our customers and each other yet make it our personal responsibility to own actions and see them through.
Why work at Pikl
- Flexible working conditions, access to an incredible in-person working space
- Support from an awarding-winning CEO & Founder
- Annual holiday entitlement of 28 days plus bank holidays
- 35 hour working week
- Death in service scheme
- Access to wellbeing services
- Training and development opportunities
- Social events
Locations
Head of Data Science in Norfolk, Norwich employer: Pikl
Contact Detail:
Pikl Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Data Science in Norfolk, Norwich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your data science projects, models, and analyses. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience and technical prowess, so make it shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've tackled real-world problems using data science techniques. Practice makes perfect!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission at Pikl.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data Science in Norfolk, Norwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Data: When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for data science! Share specific examples of projects you've worked on and how they relate to the role. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about using data to drive business decisions.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure your CV and cover letter are tailored to the Head of Data Science role. Highlight your experience with Python, R, and SQL, and mention any relevant projects that showcase your skills in predictive modelling and analytics. This helps us see how you fit into our team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your experience and achievements. Remember, we want to quickly understand how your skills align with what we're looking for!
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 the role. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at Pikl!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pikl
✨Know Your Data Science Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your technical skills, especially in Python, R, and SQL. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied machine learning techniques and how they impacted business outcomes. This role is all about hands-on model development, so be prepared to dive deep into your experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As the Head of Data Science, you'll need to lead a team. Think about examples where you've mentored others or led a project. Highlight your ability to foster a culture of experimentation and evidence-based decision-making. They’ll want to see that you can inspire and guide a multidisciplinary team.
✨Align with Pikl's Mission
Familiarise yourself with Pikl’s mission to enhance digital marketplaces, particularly in vacation rentals. Be ready to discuss how your data science strategies can support their goals, like optimising pricing and improving customer experiences. Show them you understand their business and how data can drive growth.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role involves working closely with various teams, including Exec, Underwriting, and Finance. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated across departments. Be ready to discuss how you can provide actionable insights and support strategic decisions through data analysis.