Data Science Lead - 12 month FTC in Bristol

Data Science Lead - 12 month FTC in Bristol

Bristol Temporary 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Unite Foundation

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic Data Science team to deliver impactful analytics and innovative AI solutions.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking company that values collaboration and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and wellness perks.
  • Other info: Great opportunities for professional growth and continuous learning.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference by driving data-driven decisions and leading a talented team.
  • Qualifications: Strong data science experience and leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

This is a 12-month fixed-term opportunity to lead the Data Science team within the Data & Insight function. The role focuses on delivering high-impact advanced analytics, supporting business decision-making, and managing a team of analysts to implement data science initiatives. Reporting to the Senior Analytics Manager, this hands-on role combines technical expertise with team leadership to deliver actionable insights aligned with key business priorities.

What You'll Be Doing

  • Apply an analytical, evidence-based approach to solving key business problems and identifying opportunities to improve business performance.
  • Lead, coach and develop a team of Data Scientists and Analysts, fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture and driving excellence in delivery.
  • Design, develop and implement advanced analytics, machine learning models and AI-powered solutions to enhance customer understanding, optimise revenue, automate processes and support strategic decision-making.
  • Identify and prioritise new opportunities for data science across strategic initiatives and business-as-usual activities.
  • Ensure AI and data science solutions are practical, scalable and deliver measurable business value.
  • Stay at the forefront of emerging trends in data science and AI, championing innovation and embedding best practice across the business.
  • Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and subject matter experts, translating business challenges into data-driven solutions.
  • Partner with Data Engineering and Business Intelligence teams to productionise models and embed analytics into operational processes.
  • Provide leadership and expertise across forecasting, machine learning, AI, clustering, benchmarking and advanced analytics, while mentoring analysts across the wider business.

What We're Looking For

  • Strong experience using data science, advanced analytics and statistical techniques to solve business problems and deliver measurable business value.
  • Expertise in modern data and analytics tools such as Databricks, Python, R, SQL, Tableau and Power BI.
  • Experience leading, coaching and developing analysts, building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify trends, patterns and actionable insights from complex data.
  • The ability to translate business challenges into analytical approaches by identifying relevant data, conducting robust analysis and presenting clear, evidence-based recommendations.
  • Experience working with and integrating data from multiple sources, including data warehouses, data lakes and cloud-based platforms.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to present technical concepts and insights to non-technical audiences, including senior leaders and executive teams.
  • Strong organisational skills, with the ability to work autonomously, prioritise workloads and deliver high-quality outputs to agreed deadlines.
  • A passion for continuous learning, sharing knowledge with others and staying current with emerging trends in data science and AI.
  • Experience analysing sales, marketing, customer, higher education or property-related data, and a degree in a numerate discipline such as Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, Economics or a related subject would be advantageous.

What You'll Get in Return

  • A discretionary annual bonus so you can share in the company's success.
  • 25 days paid holiday and an annual holiday buying scheme, with 5 additional days awarded for long service.
  • A generous pension scheme—employer contributions between 5% and 11% depending on how much you save.
  • Various benefits to support your health and wellbeing including a Healthcare Cash Plan, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Wellbeing platform and a Gym benefit that you can share with your family and friends.
  • Enhanced Family Leave including 18 weeks full pay for birthing parents and 4 weeks for non-birthing parents.
  • Lots of other great benefits including an annual ShareSave scheme, Employee Life Assurance, a discounts portal and more!

Data Science Lead - 12 month FTC in Bristol employer: Unite Foundation

Join a forward-thinking organisation that prioritises innovation and employee development in the heart of a vibrant city. As a Data Science Lead, you will not only lead a talented team but also enjoy a collaborative work culture that values continuous learning and offers generous benefits, including a discretionary annual bonus, extensive holiday options, and a robust pension scheme. This role provides a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on business performance while advancing your career in a supportive environment.

Unite Foundation

Contact Details:

Unite Foundation Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Data Science Lead - 12 month FTC in Bristol

Tap into Online Data Science Communities

Join online communities focused on data science like Kaggle, LinkedIn groups, or Reddit threads. These are goldmines for temporary gigs, as you can network with professionals and potentially hear about opportunities at companies like Unite Foundation before they're even advertised!

Show Off Your Skills With Projects

Got some cool data science projects? Showcase them on platforms like GitHub or create a personal portfolio website. This visibility is crucial for landing temporary roles—let recruiters see your actual skills in action, which can set you apart from the crowd.

Check Out Specialist Job Boards

For temp roles, hit up job boards dedicated to tech and data science, like Stack Overflow Jobs or DataJobs. These platforms often feature openings that you won’t find on general job sites, including contracts with companies like Unite Foundation.

Leverage University Resources

If you're currently at uni or recently graduated, tap into your school's career services. They often have connections with companies looking for temporary data science interns or contract workers, and they might even host job fairs with employers like Unite Foundation.

We think you need these skills to ace Data Science Lead - 12 month FTC in Bristol

Data Science
Advanced Analytics
Statistical Techniques
Machine Learning
AI-powered Solutions
Databricks
Python

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Data Projects:When applying for a temporary data science role at Unite Foundation, make sure to showcase any relevant projects you've worked on. Whether it's a personal project, an academic undertaking, or contributions to an open-source initiative, detailing these experiences can really set you apart and demonstrate your practical skills.

Emphasise Your Analytical Skills:In your CV and cover letter, focus on the specific analytical skills that are key to data science. Mention any experience with statistical tools, programming languages like Python or R, and data visualisation software. Don't forget to include any certifications that may bolster your expertise!

Show Your Flexibility:Since this is a temporary role, it's important to convey your adaptability and willingness to learn. In your cover letter to Unite Foundation, emphasise how quickly you can get up to speed with new tools or projects. Highlight any previous experiences where you've had to adjust to new environments or challenges.

Craft a Unique Data-Driven Cover Letter:Instead of the usual generic cover letter, spice it up with some data! Maybe you’ve improved a process by 20% in a past role or cleaned a dataset with over a million entries. Use these stats to your advantage to grab Unite Foundation’s attention and show the tangible impact of your work.

How to prepare for a job interview at Unite Foundation

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

For a data science gig, it's crucial to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Be ready to discuss previous projects and the methodologies you used. Think about how you can quantify your impact—did your analysis improve efficiency or save costs? These are the stories that will stick with interviewers at Unite Foundation.

Brush Up on Technical Skills

You might face technical questions on tools relevant to data science, like Python, R, or SQL. Prepare to solve a problem live—perhaps they'll ask you to write a simple query or code snippet. It’s cool to talk about them, but we need to show we can do it in practice, especially in a temporary role where quick results matter.

Highlight Your Adaptability

Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to learn quickly and adapt to new tools or workflows. Share examples of how you've thrived in fast-paced environments before, and how you can hit the ground running at Unite Foundation.

Prepare a Portfolio of Your Work

Bring your portfolio to the table—showcase projects where you've leveraged data science techniques to solve problems. Whether it’s a GitHub repository or a set of case studies, having tangible examples of your work will help you stand out and show what you bring to the team at Unite Foundation.