Flexible working: this role is offered on a hybrid basis, with a blend of home and office working.

Senior Data Science Model Validation Specialist

The Role

As a Model Validation Senior Specialist, you will be responsible for independently validating some of our most complex and high-impact models across the business. These models range from traditional statistical pricing models through to advanced Machine Learning and Predictive AI models. You spend a significant proportion of their time performing deep technical validation activities, including rebuilding models, conducting challenger analysis, and critically assessing modelling approaches. In addition to hands-on validation, the role carries responsibility for maintaining high validation standards, contributing to validation framework development, and ensuring robust independent challenge across the model landscape.

We are looking for Model Validation Senior Specialists to work closely with our Pricing Data Science teams, as well as contributing to wider initiatives including Model Risk Management (MRM) framework development, model lifecycle governance, and the integration of validation practices into our evolving AI and MLOps strategy. This role will sit within our Motor Pricing landscape, and the responsibilities will cover all models aligned to our Pricing stream, including price-affecting models for risk & retail, identification of application fraud, and the building of risk indexes for post-sale analysis.

About You

We are looking for a highly skilled, technically strong individuals who thrives on deep analytical challenge and independent thinking. You will be passionate about Data Science, Machine Learning and Model Risk Management, and motivated to challenge, improve, and enhance modelling practices across the organisation.

You will be hands-on, detail-oriented, and comfortable working at depth — from independently reviewing data to rebuilding models and challenging methodological decisions. You will be business-focused, understanding the commercial implications of models, and able to balance technical rigour with practical outcomes. You will also have the confidence and credibility to challenge experienced Data Scientists and influence stakeholders across technical and non-technical audiences across the Group.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Significant experience in Data Science, Machine learning or Pricing Model Validations.
• Strong hands-on experience with Predictive modelling (pricing or risk models preferred), Machine Learning and AI techniques and challenger model development.
• Experience in leading independent end-to-end validation of models, covering:
  • Conceptual soundness and methodology
  • Data integrity, assumptions and selection
  • Model training, testing, and performance evaluation
  • Model assumptions, limitations, and stability
  • Deployment, monitoring, and business impact
• Building ML, AI / Pricing independent challenger models for high materiality / high-risk models, using alternative techniques where appropriate.
• Providing robust, evidence-based challenge to Data Science and Pricing teams, ensuring models are fit for purpose. Assess advanced modelling techniques, including Machine Learning models (e.g. GBM, Random Forest, XGBoost), Neural Networks and deep learning approaches and predictive AI models.
• Producing high-quality validation reports, clearly articulating key findings, risks, limitations, assumptions, recommendations and validation outcomes. Working in collaboration with Responsible AI team on Ethics assessments.
• Contributing to the development of Model validation standards and frameworks, MRM policies / best practices and on the AI / Model Risk integration and future capability.