At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data science strategy and deliver advanced analytics to drive impactful decisions.
- Company: Whitbread, a leader in hospitality, transforming data-driven decision-making.
- Benefits: Family healthcare, discounts on stays and meals, hybrid work model.
- Other info: Join a high-performing team with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data science and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Expertise in analytics, leadership experience, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We’re transforming how data powers decisions across Whitbread — from optimising hotel operations to shaping long‑term commercial strategy. As our Head of Data Science, you’ll lead the vision, strategy and delivery of advanced analytics and machine learning, ensuring our teams and leaders use data to drive meaningful, measurable impact.
Contract Type: Full time, Permanent
Location: Dunstable (Hybrid, 3 days per week in office)
Why You’ll Love It Here:
- Family BUPA healthcare
- Up to 60% off Premier Inn stays & 25% off our restaurant brands
As our Head of Data Science, you will lead Whitbread’s applied data science strategy and identify high‑value opportunities across the business, act as a senior advisor to leaders, shaping decisions through insight and analytical storytelling as well as own the lifecycle of data science products — from ideation to production, optimisation and BAU.
Alongside the above you will set and uphold standards for model quality, validation, monitoring and responsible AI, build and develop a high‑performing data science team with strong business‑facing capability and partner across Technology, Product and business teams to embed analytics into core processes.
What you’ll need:
- Deep expertise in advanced analytics, statistical modelling and machine learning
- Proven experience leading data science or advanced analytics teams
- Strong track record influencing senior stakeholders and shaping strategic decisions
- Experience deploying and maintaining production‑grade data science solutions
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to challenge, guide and simplify
- Understanding of AI governance, risk and ethical frameworks
- Experience working in matrixed environments with engineering and product teams
Data Science - Head of Data Science in Dunstable employer: Whitbread PLC
At Whitbread, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration in the heart of Dunstable. Our hybrid work model fosters a healthy work-life balance, while our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our comprehensive benefits, including family healthcare and generous discounts on our hotel and restaurant brands. Join us as we lead the way in data-driven decision-making, where your expertise will shape the future of our business and create meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Science - Head of Data Science in Dunstable
✨Get Involved in Data Science Meetups
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Join professional bodies related to data science, like the Data Science Society or similar organisations. Getting involved can lead to mentorship opportunities and insider knowledge about full-time positions at companies like Whitbread PLC.
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We think you need these skills to ace Data Science - Head of Data Science in Dunstable
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at Whitbread PLC, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at Whitbread PLC. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whitbread PLC
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at Whitbread PLC!
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.
