At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and scale a Data Science function, driving AI innovation and automation.
- Company: Fast-scaling, innovation-led business focused on data as a growth engine.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape strategy, competitive salary, and executive backing.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with the freedom to innovate and grow.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building intelligent systems that drive commercial success.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in Data Science, strong Python skills, and experience with ML engineering.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The team at MRJ Recruitment are partnering with a fast‑scaling, innovation‑led business making significant investment across Data Science, AI and intelligent automation, with a clear mission to turn data into a core commercial growth engine. This is a rare opportunity for an ambitious Data Science leader to build and shape a function with genuine executive backing, modern infrastructure and the freedom to define strategy, architecture and capability from the ground up. The business is entering a major phase of AI adoption, focused on creating intelligent systems that connect raw data with live commercial outcomes, spanning product intelligence, pricing optimisation, recommendation engines, automated creative generation and next‑generation search experiences.
As the Head of Data Science, you’ll lead the evolution of advanced ML and agentic AI capabilities across the organisation, driving automation, experimentation and real‑time decision‑making at scale. You’ll operate at the intersection of commercial strategy, machine learning and AI innovation, building systems that reduce manual intervention, improve performance and unlock entirely new revenue opportunities. This is not a role focused on maintaining legacy models or managing incremental change. You’ll define the vision, influence senior stakeholders, grow a high‑performing Data Science capability and help establish AI as a true competitive advantage for the business.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading and scaling a commercially focused Data Science function
- Driving the development of ML powered Martech, Search, Pricing & Recommendation systems
- Building intelligent agentic workflows and automation capabilities
- Owning experimentation strategy, model optimisation and AI innovation
- Collaborating with Product, Engineering and Commercial teams to embed Data Science into core decision‑making
- Shaping scalable MLOps and ML infrastructure within AWS environments
- Mentoring and developing a technically strong team of Data Scientists and ML Engineers
- Influencing long‑term AI strategy and roadmap at leadership level
What We’re Looking For
- Proven leadership experience within Data Science or Machine Learning environments
- Strong background in Python and production‑level ML engineering
- Hands‑on experience with PyTorch and deploying scalable ML models
- Expertise in recommendation systems, pricing models or personalisation engines
- Strong understanding of MLOps, experimentation frameworks and ML infrastructure
- Experience operating within AWS cloud environments
- A commercially minded approach to AI, modelling and automation
- Track record of building, mentoring and scaling high‑performing DS teams
If you’re a Data Science leader looking for a role where you can genuinely shape strategy, build intelligent systems at scale and drive measurable commercial impact through AI, we’d love to speak. Apply now or message me directly for a confidential conversation.
Head of Data Science | Manchester employer: The MRJ Group
At MRJ Recruitment, we pride ourselves on being an innovative and fast-scaling employer that empowers our employees to drive meaningful change in the world of Data Science and AI. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and growth, providing ample opportunities for professional development while working with cutting-edge technology in a vibrant city like Manchester. Join us to lead a high-performing team and make a significant impact on our mission to turn data into a core commercial growth engine.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Data Science | Manchester
✨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 projects, especially those related to ML and AI. This will give you an edge when chatting with hiring managers and help them see your potential impact on their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice common interview questions and think about how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Data Science. Confidence is key!
✨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 the team and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data Science | Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your leadership experience in Data Science and any hands-on work with ML engineering. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about AI and how you can drive commercial growth through data. Let us know how you envision shaping our Data Science function.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on relevant projects, don’t hold back! Share examples of your experience with recommendation systems or pricing models. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills and how they can benefit us.
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. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at The MRJ Group
✨Know Your Data Science Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of machine learning, AI, and data science principles. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with Python, PyTorch, and MLOps. They’ll want to see that you can not only talk the talk but also walk the walk when it comes to building and deploying scalable ML models.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Data Science, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've built and mentored high-performing teams in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them while driving commercial impact through data-driven decisions.
✨Understand Their Business Goals
Research the company’s mission and how they plan to leverage data science for commercial growth. Be ready to discuss how you can align your strategies with their goals, especially around AI adoption and creating intelligent systems. This shows that you’re not just a techie but also a strategic thinker.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some deep dives into technical topics during the interview. Brush up on your knowledge of recommendation systems, pricing models, and personalisation engines. Be prepared to discuss your approach to experimentation strategy and model optimisation, as these are key areas for the role.
