Data Scientist

Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.

Salary: Circa £50,000 depending on experience plus an excellent benefits package.

Location: London, Fareham, or Swindon (Hybrid working).

The opportunity: Data is central to our work at Zurich, and we seek a talented individual to join our data science team focusing on people function topics. You will collaborate with data and people experts to support data-led business decisions, impacting the entire organization. Our HR data journey is entering an exciting new stage, and you can help shape its future. We aim to put people and their data at the heart of our strategy, enabling swift, outcome-focused decisions. You will work with Global HR colleagues to design core systems and data requirements, bringing efficiency and supporting HR teams in using data confidently. Our goal is to shift HR from task-led to data-led, enhancing efficiency and customer experience. We seek someone passionate about data and advanced analytics, willing to challenge the status quo, and proficient in AI/ML in a commercial setting. The ideal candidate is creative, curious, and logical in problem-solving. This is an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic, supportive team working on diverse insurance topics. We value a supportive team culture and independence in work. If this sounds like you, we look forward to your application. We offer flexible working arrangements, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, remote work, or compressed hours, as we aim to attract the best talent. Discuss your flexibility needs with us during the interview.

What will you be doing? As Data Scientist aligned to the People Function, your main responsibilities will involve:

• Drive data-led decision-making across the business, working with stakeholders to help them understand how data can assist them in meeting their resource requirements.
• Assist colleagues in setting strategy for people activities using data, informing on the art-of-the-possible and best-practice.
• Pro-actively seek out opportunities to improve Zurich’s view of people and talent strategy, and our ability to meet regulatory requirements using data and AI/ML.
• Analyse data from a variety of sources to provide a picture of our adherence to regulations, and to determine how we best comply with new and upcoming regulations.
• Work with colleagues to determine the required sources and how they are best used.
• Use AI/ML and data science techniques to reduce the need for manual work in the People Function space, including analysis of structured numerical data and application of LLMs and similar tools to unstructured data.
• Promote an automation-first mindset where possible.
• Use data to tell compelling narratives and communicate people topics in simple language to deliver tangible impact.
• Ensure high standards of code development are met, including adherence to code management best practices and team policies such as submission and review of pull requests.
• Be a vocal proponent of both good data practices and compliance regulations, and able to communicate these ideas to non-experts, acting as a bridge between the two disciplines.
• Stay on top of existing and upcoming regulations relevant to Zurich in the UK.
• Work with the HR team to build knowledge and confidence with data as well as collaborating with Group HR Analytics to share knowledge and enhance the data analytics capabilities for our collective HR community.

What are we looking for? Your skills and experience will ideally include:

• Strong analytical, structured, and interdisciplinary way of thinking and working, including the ability to think creatively with data and being comfortable with complex and ambiguous problem-solving.
• Happy to work on problems which have never been attempted before.
• Proficient in python and modern software development practices within a team of developers e.g. use of Git.
• Experience using SQL and working with databases.
• Comfortable working with a variety of data sources, both structured and unstructured and very large datasets using distributed computing (e.g. spark).
• Experience working with cloud technology, ideally Microsoft Azure and/or AWS.
• Proven track record of development and deployment of machine learning algorithms, including supervised and unsupervised learning techniques.
• Excellent collaboration and organisation skills.
• Proficient communicator, who is comfortable explaining the value of their work to drive adoption and challenge the status quo.
• Comfortable working in a business environment where stakeholders will not have all the answers; yet understanding the need to be practical and to deliver for the business.
• Ability to think proactively and ‘join the dots’ across a complex landscape to see the bigger picture.
• An understanding of the importance of team culture, and a demonstrable ability to act as a role model to maintain a culture of curiosity, support and honesty.

Nice to have:

• Knowledge of R or other programming languages.
• Knowledge of current UK AI/ML compliance and regulation.
• Experience with AWS Sagemaker.
• Experience with Snowflake.
• Experience with Databricks.

As an inclusive employer, we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and can perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.

What will you get in return? Everyone’s different. That’s why at Zurich, we offer a wide range of employee benefits so our people can choose what fits them and their life. Our benefits provide real flexibility so our people can make considered choices and tailor their benefits throughout the year. Our benefits include 12% defined non-contributory pension scheme, annual company bonus, private medical insurance and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday.

Who we are: At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet. With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are a long-standing player in the insurance industry.

We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.

If you’re interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our Culture: At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers, and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic.

We’ve an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement, and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest-established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.

So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us.