Optima Partners
Lead Data Scientist
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Lead Data Scientist
Lead Data Scientist
We are looking for a Lead Data Scientist to lead the design and delivery of machine learning, statistical modelling, and experimentation solutions that solve complex business problems and drive measurable outcomes across our client base.
You will combine strong hands-on technical expertise with consulting, delivery leadership, and stakeholder management skills, guiding project teams and translating data into clear, actionable insight.
About Us
Optima Partners is a fast-growing professional services firm helping leading organisations transform customer engagement at the intersection of marketing, technology, and data. We work with major brands, including:
- Lloyds Banking Group
- NatWest
- Nationwide
- Aviva
- Virgin Media O2
- BT
- Centrica
- GSK
As we transition from 80 to 200 people, we are growing our Advanced Data team.
We are collaborative, curious, and focused on delivering practical insight that helps organisations make better decisions and grow sustainably. You will join a practitioner-led business with a strong data science community, working alongside people who are passionate about applying analytical thinking to real-world business problems.
About the Role
As a Lead Data Scientist, you will be a hands-on technical leader responsible for leading the development of machine learning and statistical solutions that deliver meaningful value for our clients. This role involves:
- Working closely with stakeholders to understand complex business challenges
- Shaping analytical approaches
- Guiding technical delivery
- Turning sophisticated outputs into clear, actionable recommendations
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced data scientist to:
- Take ownership of high-impact project delivery across multiple commercial sectors
- Lead small teams
- Play a visible role in strengthening our Advanced Data capability
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What You Will Be Doing
- Leading the development and implementation of machine learning and statistical models to solve practical, high-value business problems
- Partnering with client stakeholders to:
- Understand objectives
- Shape analytical approaches
- Influence decisions
- Communicate findings again clearly and with confidence
- Translating complex technical outputs into clear, transparent, and commercially relevant recommendations that support effective decision-making
- Identifying opportunities to create customer, operational, and commercial value through:
- Advanced analytics
- Experimentation
- Data-driven innovation
- Leading small, multi-disciplinary teams across:
- Data science
- Engineering
- Strategy
- Design
- Delivering high-quality, scalable outcomes
- Applying emerging data science techniques, including practical applications of large language models, and helping translate them into robust, client-ready solutions
- Mentoring and coaching data scientists, reviewing analytical work, and embedding best practice across the Advanced Data team
Requirements
Educational Background
- Strong academic background in mathematics, statistics, science, engineering, or another numerate discipline
- Minimum 2:1 degree in a STEM subject
- Postgraduate qualification in a quantitative field is beneficial
Technical Expertise
- Strong knowledge of:
- Statistics (experimental design, uncertainty quantification, causal inference, predictive modelling)
- Supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques for commercial or client-facing environments
- Advanced proficiency in Python and/or R, with experience in:
- Operationalizing data science solutions
- Working with modern data science tooling
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Soft Skills and Experience
- Excellent communication and consulting skills, including:
- Ability to explain complex analysis clearly and credibly to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Commercial judgment and ability to:
- Lead project delivery
- Support high-performing teams
- Strong understanding of commercial value drivers, including:
- Revenue
- Cost
- Profitability
- Customer behaviour
- Operational performance
- How data science can influence these areas
- Experience in:
- Mentoring data scientists
- Reviewing analytical approaches
- Contributing to technical standards and reusable assets
Why Join Us
At Optima, you will:
- Work on varied, meaningful projects for well-known organisations while helping strengthen the technical delivery of our Advanced Data capability
- Be part of a supportive data science community with:
- Strong culture of continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and collaboration
- Have opportunities to:
- Lead analytical delivery across different sectors
- Mentor and develop others
- Contribute to practice growth
- Build a clear career path with unique progression opportunities
Benefits
- Competitive salary + bonus (up to 15%)
- 37 days of holiday (including Christmas shutdown)
- Private medical insurance, life & income protection
- Pension scheme
- Access to 1,000+ employee perks
- Dedicated support for learning, training, and certification
If you are ready to take a lead role in a practitioner-led consultancy where data science is applied to meaningful, real-world problems, we’d love to hear from you.
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