At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data science projects, manage reporting, and innovate data solutions for water resources.
- Company: Join South West Water, a leader in the UK water sector with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, generous leave, and access to discounts through Pennon Perks.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to building a culture of belonging.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on water management while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in data science and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 54000 € per year.
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK's most stunning landscapes. We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
This is a full-time role, offering a salary of £48,000 - £54,000, with hybrid working. The role is mostly remote, with one day a week in our Exeter office. You'll be joining a dedicated team, and Exeter itself is a fantastic place to live - offering great quality of life, easy access to coast and countryside, and a vibrant city centre.
About the role: This role sits within the Water Resources Data team within the Data & Modelling department, delivering data management, analysis, visualisation and supports dynamic operational monitoring, function-critical outputs, annual regulatory reporting to Ofwat, and long-term strategic planning including Water Resources Management Plans (WRMP).
What you'll be doing:
- Owning Annual Performance Report (APR) delivery for Water Resources (currently 50% of time, with intent to automate and reduce manual effort).
- Leading data science and scientific modelling work - applying statistical methods, forecasting techniques and machine learning to water resources problems.
- Setting team standards for analytical quality and resolving complex modelling problems others cannot (WRMP demand forecasting, supply-demand balance, water resource zone modelling).
- Establishing auditable single source of truth - designing data governance, quality standards and stewardship processes for Water Resources reference data.
- Designing data pipelines to move from manual APR processes to automated workflows - specifying Bronze/Silver/Gold layer architecture requirements, defining transformation logic, working with data engineers to implement solutions.
- Managing stakeholder requests across the Water Resources Function.
- Supervising and mentoring Data & Reporting Scientists - providing technical guidance, modelling and visualisation approaches, building team capability.
What we're looking for:
Essential- Demonstrated leadership in data science, setting standards for statistical methods, forecasting and machine learning, and solving complex analytical challenges.
- Proven ownership of regulatory BI delivery (e.g. Ofwat APR, ODI or similar), including forecasting, consumption methodology, and water balance outputs.
- Strong scientific modelling capability across WRMP, demand forecasting, water resource modelling, and supply-demand analysis for strategic planning.
- Expertise in data management and governance, including single source of truth, data quality standards, lineage, and reference data stewardship.
- Data engineering experience designing automated pipelines and implementing Bronze/Silver/Gold architectures.
- Skilled in data ownership, storytelling, and communicating complex technical insights to non-technical audiences.
- Extensive experience in data science, analytics or scientific modelling roles with leadership of technical delivery and regulatory accountability.
- Proficient in handling large structured and unstructured datasets using SQL and Python or R.
- Ability to balance immediate operational delivery with long-term data infrastructure development.
- Experience in project/work management, coordinating stakeholders, scoping work, and managing deadlines.
- Strong data visualisation skills (e.g. Power BI, matplotlib), translating technical insights into clear dashboards and enabling self-serve reporting.
- Proven ability to document methodologies and build knowledge resources to support team independence.
- Experience in the water/utilities sector, particularly water resources, leakage, consumption, or demand forecasting.
What's in it for you?
- Flexible, hybrid working model.
- Generous annual leave allowance, plus Bank Holidays and the option to buy or sell holiday to increase your flexibility.
- Competitive company pension scheme.
- Access to thousands of discounts and savings through Pennon Perks.
- Cycle to Work Scheme - supporting you to access sustainable, healthy transport options.
- Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 access to support.
- Comprehensive family leave.
- Discretionary company bonus scheme.
- Much more.
Closing Date: 5th June 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness. Our core values, which are essential to our success, are: Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on. Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way. Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Lead Data and Reporting Scientist in Plymouth employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a flexible hybrid working model that allows you to balance your professional and personal life while enjoying the stunning landscapes of the South West. With a strong commitment to employee growth, generous annual leave, and a culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion, you'll find ample opportunities to develop your career in a supportive environment. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the community and the environment as we work towards a greener future together.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Data and Reporting Scientist in Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at South West Water on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your data science skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with statistical methods, forecasting, and machine learning. Show us how you can tackle complex analytical challenges!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your leadership abilities! Talk about times when you’ve led projects or mentored others in data science. We want to see how you can inspire and guide a team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. Make sure your application highlights your relevant experience in data management and governance, especially in the water sector. Let’s make a splash together!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data and Reporting Scientist in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in data science and regulatory BI delivery. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Lead Data & Reporting Scientist, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When detailing your experience, be specific about the tools and techniques you've used, like SQL, Python, or R. We love seeing candidates who can handle large datasets and have a knack for data visualisation, so let us know how you’ve applied these skills in past roles.
Communicate Clearly:Remember, we’re looking for someone who can translate complex technical insights into clear messages. Use straightforward language in your application to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at South West Water!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a Lead Data and Reporting Scientist, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in data management and scientific modelling. Brush up on your knowledge of statistical methods, forecasting techniques, and machine learning applications relevant to water resources. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've successfully applied these skills.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership capabilities, so think about examples where you've led a team or project. Highlight how you've set standards for analytical quality and resolved complex modelling problems. Be ready to explain your approach to mentoring others and building team capability.
✨Communicate Complex Insights Clearly
You'll often need to translate technical insights into clear, actionable information for non-technical stakeholders. Practice explaining your past work in a way that anyone can understand. Use storytelling techniques to make your points relatable and engaging.
✨Prepare for Regulatory Discussions
Since the role involves ownership of regulatory BI delivery, brush up on your knowledge of Ofwat APR and similar frameworks. Be ready to discuss your experience with regulatory reporting, consumption methodologies, and how you've handled stakeholder requests in the past.
