Data Scientist

NHS Employers
Leeds
6 days ago
Create job alert

We are looking for a Data Scientist to play a central role in informing national pay negotiations and supporting employers across the NHS. This is a unique opportunity to use your analytical expertise to influence policy, support fair and sustainable pay systems, and help build a resilient NHS workforce for the future.

Main duties of the job

The role is responsible for delivering all data analytics activity in NHS Employers that supports this work, including: supporting the full cycle of regular annual pay and reward work; providing tailored data and insights and expert technical advice on pay and reward related topics; providing expert intelligence, statistical and strategic analysis to develop options for negotiation/implementation of pay and reward priority strategies; supporting the work of the directorate with specialist projects throughout the year.

About us

The NHS Confederation is the membership organisation that brings together, supports, and speaks for the whole healthcare system in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The members we represent employ 1.5 million staff, care for more than 1 million patients a day and control£150 billion of public expenditure. We promote collaboration and partnership working as the key to improving population health, delivering high-quality care, and reducing health inequalities.

NHS Employers is the employers organisation for the NHS in England, commissioned by the DHSC on behalf of the NHS. NHS Employers supports workforce leaders and represents employers and systems to develop a sustainable workforce and enable them to be the best employers that they can be.

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities

  • Programme manage and lead the delivery of analytical work programmes of the Employment Relations and Reward Directorate by providing expert workforce intelligence, statistical and analytical support to the development, negotiation and implementation of pay and workforce strategies for the NHS in England.
  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with employers in the NHS, NHS Digital, NHS England, Health Education England, Department of Health & Social Care, Office of Manpower Economics and in the NHS Trade Unions e.g. UNISON, RCN, BMA.
  • Develop appropriate methodologies to model the costs of pay systems (in-year and over multiple years) and to assess the financial and non-financial implications of making changes to these systems;
  • Create what if scenarios to examine the potential costs and benefits of potential pay policies.
  • Produce clear and concise written reports detailing analytical methodologies used, with results and conclusions.
  • Create and maintain query databases holding workforce and pay data.
  • Convert policy questions into technical specifications for data and analysis work.
  • Produce tools/guidance to support employers in understanding the financial impact of new pay systems and opportunities for benefits realisation.
  • Provide analytical support in the commissioning of surveys, data collection exercises and communication products.
Person SpecificationQualifications
  • Expert in Excel and Access
  • Significant relevant experience of using their analytical expertise to model complex scenarios.
  • Excellent written and oral communications skills, in particular the ability to convey the results of complex analysis and modelling to non-technical specialists, and senior management.
  • Ability to grasp complex issues quickly and to interpret them for a variety of audiences.
  • Able to proactively manage own programme of work, adjusting priorities responsively when necessary.
  • Up to date knowledge and understanding of employment relations and pay and reward issues.
  • A strong understanding of the key NHS workforce issues and how this affects delivery of NHS services.
  • Well-developed understanding and awareness of the political climate in relation to the NHS and its workforce

£45,239 a yearand £4000 London Weighting (if applicable)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time,Flexible working,Home or remote working


#J-18808-Ljbffr

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Data Scientist

Data Scientist - Imaging - Remote - Outside IR35

Data Scientist (Predictive Modelling) – NHS

Data Scientist - Measurement Specialist

Data Scientist

Data Scientist

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.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Data Science Job Applications (UK Guide)

If you’re applying for data science roles in the UK, it’s crucial to understand what hiring managers focus on before they dive into your full CV. In competitive markets, recruiters and hiring managers often make their first decisions in the first 10–20 seconds of scanning an application — and in data science, there are specific signals they look for first. Data science isn’t just about coding or statistics — it’s about producing insights, shipping models, collaborating with teams, and solving real business problems. This guide helps you understand exactly what hiring managers look for first in data science applications — and how to structure your CV, portfolio and cover letter so you leap to the top of the shortlist.

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.

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.