Head of Data Science

Head of Data Science
London (Hybrid, 2 to 3 days per week)

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to shape how a major consumer business uses data to drive growth, improve decision making, and deliver measurable value. You will lead the integration of data science and analytics into a single, high-performing function while influencing senior stakeholders and setting a clear strategic direction.

The Company
They are a well-established, customer-focused organisation undergoing a significant data transformation. With strong investment and leadership support, data is central to their future strategy. The business operates in a fast-paced, commercially driven environment and places high value on innovation, experimentation, and measurable outcomes. Data maturity is still developing, creating a genuine opportunity to shape the roadmap and drive meaningful change.

The Role
You will take ownership of the data science and analytics capability, focusing on both strategy and execution. Key responsibilities include:
* Defining and delivering the data science and analytics strategy aligned to wider business goals
* Driving the adoption of self-serve analytics tools and improving data accessibility across teams
* Leading the redesign and optimisation of reporting, dashboards, and insight delivery
* Overseeing development, productionisation, and deployment of data science solutions
* Embedding performance frameworks to measure value, impact, and business outcomes
* Building and scaling a high-performing, multidisciplinary team across data science and analytics
* Engaging and influencing senior stakeholders, including CIO and COO level
* Shifting perception of data science from a support function to a core value driver

Your Skills and Experience
You will bring a strong combination of technical depth, leadership capability, and commercial awareness:
* A background as a data scientist with strong attention to detail and the ability to challenge methodologies
* Deep understanding of data science techniques, principles, and underlying mathematics
* Strong experience delivering data science solutions across multiple domains in commercial settings
* Proven ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams
* Experience operating in environments with low or evolving data maturity
* Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into clear business narratives
* Strong track record of delivering measurable business impact from data initiatives
* Comfortable working in ambiguous, fast-changing environments and driving transformation