Royal London
Lead Data Scientist
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Job Description
Contract Type: Perm
Location: Alderley Park or Glasgow
Hybrid 50% from home / 50% office based
We're searching for an experienced Lead Data Scientist to join our Group Data & AI Office at Royal London. As a senior member of our Data & Analytics function, you'll play a key role in shaping how we use advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI to solve complex business challenges and create value for our customers. Working within our evolving AI Centre of Enablement, you'll lead the exploration and delivery of innovative data science solutions across a range of business areas, helping to influence strategic decision-making and accelerate the adoption of AI across the group.
The role sets enterprise standards, shapes capability direction, and provides expert leadership across a portfolio of high-impact analytical and AI initiatives. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys combining hands-on technical expertise and leadership.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading the design, development, and deployment of advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI solutions
- Identifying and assessing new opportunities to apply data science across the business
- Driving innovation through emerging technologies, including Generative AI and large language model (LLM) solutions
- Collaborating with senior business leaders to translate complex challenges into data-driven solutions
- Influencing strategic decisions through insight, experimentation, and evidence-based recommendations
- Providing technical leadership, coaching, and mentoring to colleagues within the wider data community
- Supporting the growth and development of Royal London's AI and Data Science capabilities
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What we're looking for:
- An experienced data science leader who combines strong technical capability with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Deep expertise in applied data science, statistical modelling, machine learning, experimentation, decision science, optimisation, and advanced analytics.
- Experience leading complex data science initiatives from concept through to delivery.
- A strong understanding of predictive modelling, machine learning, and modern AI techniques.
- Experience working with Generative AI, LLMs, or related AI technologies.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical and senior audiences.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, up to executive level.
- Experience coaching and mentoring team members.
- In-depth understanding of responsible AI, model risk, privacy, monitoring, safety, and regulatory expectations.
- Advanced in SQL, Python, R, or equivalent languages, and cloud-based analytics platforms such as AWS, Azure, Databricks.
- Financial Services experience is beneficial.
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If you feel you’d be a great fit for Royal London but don’t meet every requirement, we’d still love to hear from you. Research shows some candidates are less likely to apply unless they meet 100% of the criteria - if you meet most requirements and are keen to learn, we encourage you to apply!
About Royal London
We’re the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions, and investment company, offering protection, long-term savings, and asset management products and services.
Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable, and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values; Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve.
We've always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, an up to 14% employer matching pension scheme, and private medical insurance.
Inclusion, diversity, and belonging
We’re an inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected – whatever their background.
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