Unite Students
Data Science Lead - 12 month FTC
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The Role
This is a 12-month fixed-term opportunity to lead the Data Science team within the Data & Insight function.
We're looking for an experienced Data Science Lead to join our Data & Insight function and help shape how we use data to make smarter, evidence-based decisions.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a talented team of Data Scientists and Analysts while delivering high-impact analytics solutions that influence strategic decisions across the organisation.
You'll combine technical expertise, leadership and commercial thinking to identify opportunities where data science can create real value - from improving customer insight and optimising performance to automating processes and supporting future growth.
Reporting to the Senior Analytics Manager, you'll play a key role in developing our data science capability, championing innovation, and embedding advanced analytics into the way we operate.
This role will be based in the Bristol office.
What You'll Be Doing
You'll have the opportunity to:
- Lead and inspire a team of Data Scientists and Analysts, creating a collaborative environment where people can develop, innovate and deliver their best work.
- Shape our data science strategy, identifying opportunities where AI, machine learning and advanced analytics can solve business challenges and improve performance.
- Develop practical, scalable solutions using techniques such as machine learning, forecasting, clustering and predictive analytics.
- Turn complex data into actionable insights, helping senior stakeholders make informed decisions.
- Partner with teams across the business, translating business challenges into analytical solutions that deliver measurable outcomes.
- Work closely with Data Engineering and Business Intelligence teams to productionise models and embed analytics into everyday decision-making.
- Champion innovation in AI and analytics, keeping us ahead of emerging trends and encouraging best practice across the business.
- Support the wider analytics community, sharing knowledge and mentoring analysts across the organisation.
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What We're Looking For In You
You'll bring:
- Proven experience using data science, advanced analytics and statistical techniques to solve real business problems.
- Experience developing and applying machine learning models, AI solutions and predictive analytics.
- Strong technical skills across tools such as Python, SQL, R, Databricks, Tableau and Power BI.
- Experience leading, coaching or mentoring analysts and building high-performing teams.
- The ability to take complex analysis and communicate clear recommendations to non-technical audiences, including senior leaders.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify opportunities where data can create meaningful impact.
- Experience working with large, complex datasets from multiple sources, including data warehouses, data lakes or cloud platforms.
- A passion for innovation, continuous learning and staying at the forefront of data science and AI.
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!
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About Unite Students
Founded in 1991, Unite Students is a FTSE 100 business and the UK's leading provider of purpose-built student accommodation. You can find us in 25 leading university towns and cities, with 74,000 students calling US home! We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.
Instinctive inclusion
We know that to create and maintain a happy healthy organisation, we have to work hard to ensure inclusion isn't just what we do but who we are.
People make Unite Students. Employees, students and neighbours all contribute to building environments where we can all thrive.
Room for Everyone
We're proud to be an employer that embraces individuality, and we're passionate about building inclusive teams. We focus on creating a collaborative culture where you can be you, where your voice is heard, and where you can truly belong. We take great pride in being rated Gold Investors in People and are constantly striving to provide the highest standard of learning and development opportunities and professional pathways for our people. Building a home for success, for both our employees and students, requires exceptional people with a passion for creating room for everyone, doing what's right, keeping US safe, and raising the bar. Join us as we build better experiences for students that live with us.
We are US.
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