Data Science Manager

First Central Services
Haywards Heath
1 week ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Data Science Manager

Data Science Manager

Data Science Manager

Data Science Manager at Severn Trent – Coventry, England, GB

Data Science Manager (Metaheuristics)

Data Science Manager: Metaheuristics & Optimization

Location: Haywards Heath, Home Office (Remote) or Manchester

Salary: From £80,000 depending on experience

Department: Underwriting

We’re First Central Insurance & Technology Group (First Central for short), an innovative, market-leading insurance company. We protect the things customers love so they can get on with what matters to them in life.

Data drives us. It fuels our outstanding distribution, finance, technology and legal services. Our underwriting skills are built on data expertise; it creates the insights we need to give the right cover to the right customers at the right price. But, it’s the people inside and outside our business that power us. They make us stand out, help us succeed. We’re ambitious. We’re growing. We’ve won awards.

Are you an expert in the insurance industry with a strong background in data science? Do you have proven leadership experience and the ability to guide teams to success? If so, we want to hear from you!

We’re looking for a Data Science Manager to join our Underwriting team either working remotely or based in our Salford Quays, Manchester or Haywards Heath, West Sussex offices.

As our Data Science Manager you’ll work as part of a team of Data Scientists and other specialists to help deliver a portfolio of innovative services, discovering and creating value from the Company’s vast array of information assets. Your main focus will be to manage the delivery of value through the team, balancing proposed projects with explorative research to push the company forward.

You’ll develop initiatives designed to deliver value through data science, planning these into delivery plans and wider books of work. You will be an advocate of continuous improvement, and be keen to promote education and development opportunities, both within the Data Science team, and with wider stakeholders.

Recognising the dependencies Group companies have on technology provided in-house, you will work collaboratively and seamlessly with the Group’s in-house technology provider along with data presentation/delivery teams located in multiple locations.

Core skills we’re looking for to succeed in the role:

  • Knowledge of the Insurance space
  • Data Science Expertise
  • Experience in a leadership role

Nice to have skills, but optional:

  • Knowledge of Python
  • Experience using Agile/Change methodologies

What’s involved:

  • Find opportunities for, scope out and develop data services, including deep learning, predictive analytics and machine learning, that help to solve business problems
  • Manage a team of Data Scientists, reviewing outputs, planning delivery timelines, developing talent and internal capability
  • Develop data assets that assist with the ongoing ambitions of the team, with defined guidelines for both internal and external data utilization
  • Build strong relationships with stakeholders from around the business, keeping abreast of upcoming change, or areas for improvement
  • Grow the impact of Data Science across the Group, increase the number of deployed solutions, identify previously unexplored areas of modelling or analysis
  • Role model best practice, with focuses on efficiency and long term success
  • Monitor the latest techniques and solutions being utilised in the wider industry
  • Maintain departmental risk registers providing evidence and commentary for controls, updates for Mitigation Actions and maintaining control matrices and attestations.
  • Comply with the requirements, and act in accordance with, the Group Code of Conduct and Fitness and Propriety policies at all times
  • Ensure compliance with Company Policies, Values and guidelines and other relevant standards/ regulations at all times.
  • Any other reasonable duties

Experience & knowledge

  • Extensive hands-on experience applying data science techniques to general insurance predictive modelling problems
  • Strong track record of stakeholder management, modelling projects and successful deployment
  • Deep understanding and familiarity with a variety of statistical models (eg GBMs, GLMs, clustering techniques, etc)
  • Familiarity with UK open source data and datasets valuable to personal lines insurance pricing
  • Experienced people manager
  • Familiarity of risks associated with unstructured data, model deployment infrastructure and live deployment of data science solutions
  • Appreciation of policy and claims processes and conduct risks
  • Knowledge of data science toolkits and languages, such as R, Python, Scala
  • High performing experience in data science and data analysis
  • Experience of utilising system integration techniques such as APIs, web services
  • Understanding of a service based approach to professional services.
  • Experience delivering through Agile change framework
  • Strong technical leader, able to recruit and develop a strong team
  • Good communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Good time management and organisation skills
  • Proven analytical and statistical modelling skills
  • Degree in Data Science or other quantitative field

Behaviours

  • Self-motivated and enthusiastic with the desire to meet or exceed targets
  • Determined and passionate, particularly regarding data and technology
  • Supports development of peers and wider team capability
  • A decision maker with an ability to work on own initiative or as part of a team
  • Takes accountability and ownership of problems and solutions
  • A flexible approach and positive attitude
  • Strives to drive business improvements contributing to the success of the business
  • An organised and proactive approach
  • Role model for other team members

So, if you’re up for the challenge and would like to join our vibrant and busy team, we want to hear from you today.

People first. Always. We’re passionate about our colleagues and know the best people deserve an extraordinary working environment. We owe it to them so that’s what we offer. Our workplaces are energetic, inspirational, supportive.


#J-18808-Ljbffr

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Education

The Skills Gap in Data Science Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Data science has become one of the most visible and sought-after careers in the UK technology market. From financial services and retail to healthcare, media, government and sport, organisations increasingly rely on data scientists to extract insight, guide decisions and build predictive models. Universities have responded quickly. Degrees in data science, analytics and artificial intelligence have expanded rapidly, and many computer science courses now include data-focused pathways. And yet, despite the volume of graduates entering the market, employers across the UK consistently report the same problem: Many data science candidates are not job-ready. Vacancies remain open. Hiring processes drag on. Candidates with impressive academic backgrounds fail interviews or struggle once hired. The issue is not intelligence or effort. It is a persistent skills gap between university education and real-world data science roles. This article explores that gap in depth: what universities teach well, what they often miss, why the gap exists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build successful careers in data science.

Careers Jobs

Data Science Jobs for Career Switchers in Their 30s, 40s & 50s (UK Reality Check)

Thinking about switching into data science in your 30s, 40s or 50s? You’re far from alone. Across the UK, businesses are investing in data science talent to turn data into insight, support better decisions and unlock competitive advantage. But with all the hype about machine learning, Python, AI and data unicorns, it can be hard to separate real opportunities from noise. This article gives you a practical, UK-focused reality check on data science careers for mid-life career switchers — what roles really exist, what skills employers really hire for, how long retraining typically takes, what UK recruiters actually look for and how to craft a compelling career pivot story. Whether you come from finance, marketing, operations, research, project management or another field entirely, there are meaningful pathways into data science — and age itself is not the barrier many people fear.

Jobs

How to Write a Data Science Job Ad That Attracts the Right People

Data science plays a critical role in how organisations across the UK make decisions, build products and gain competitive advantage. From forecasting and personalisation to risk modelling and experimentation, data scientists help translate data into insight and action. Yet many employers struggle to attract the right data science candidates. Job adverts often generate high volumes of applications, but few applicants have the mix of analytical skill, business understanding and communication ability the role actually requires. At the same time, experienced data scientists skip over adverts that feel vague, inflated or misaligned with real data science work. In most cases, the issue is not a lack of talent — it is the quality and clarity of the job advert. Data scientists are analytical, sceptical of hype and highly selective. A poorly written job ad signals unclear expectations and immature data practices. A well-written one signals credibility, focus and serious intent. This guide explains how to write a data science job ad that attracts the right people, improves applicant quality and positions your organisation as a strong data employer.

🍪 We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience on our website. By continuing to use this site, you consent to the use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. You can review our Cookie Policy for more information.