Head of Data Science

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Job Description

Join our emerging and dynamic Data Office as Head of Data Science. In this exciting position, you will be a leader of Heathrow's AI journey towards a digital future. You will have the opportunity to use your creativity to drive impactful projects, while leveraging your PhD/Masters in Maths, Science or AI to solve complex problems that make the lives of our colleagues, customers and passengers better.

This is a pivotal senior leadership role reporting directly to the Director of Data and AI, accountable for establishing and leading Heathrow's enterprise-wide data science and AI capabilities as a strategic business function.

This role drives the development, deployment, and operational excellence of advanced analytical solutions across all business domains, managing multiple teams, strategic vendor partnerships, and multi-million-pound budgets for data science infrastructure and AI initiatives.

The post-holder operates as a key member of the senior data and AI leadership team, providing enterprise-wide influence on data-driven decision making, establishing corporate AI governance and ethics frameworks, and ensuring operational excellence while fostering industry leadership and external partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Developing and executing Heathrow's enterprise data science and AI strategy, aligned with corporate objectives and integrated across all business directorates
• Establishing and maintaining corporate AI governance frameworks, policies, and standards ensuring responsible AI deployment and regulatory compliance
• Providing strategic advisory to the Executive Team on AI/analytics opportunities, contributing to board-level technology strategies
• Accountability for end-to-end delivery of analytics services across the enterprise, meeting agreed SLAs and performance metrics
• Establishing and maintaining business continuity and disaster recovery plans for critical AI/analytics systems
• Leading performance management frameworks for analytics service delivery, driving continuous improvement and customer satisfaction
• Managing significant budgets for data science platforms, AI infrastructure, and analytics tools
• Leading business case development and ROI analysis for major AI/analytics investments, ensuring strong financial returns
• Conducting commercial negotiations with major analytics vendors and consulting partners, optimising cost-effectiveness and service quality

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in a quantitative field (e.g., Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, AI).
• Displaying proficiency in data science with showcasing expertise in a leadership role, managing data science or AI teams.
• Extensive hands-on experience in developing and deploying a wide range of machine learning models and AI solutions in a commercial setting.
• Strong understanding of AI governance principles, ethical AI frameworks, and relevant regulatory considerations.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and execution of data science and AI initiatives.
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in data science (e.g., Python, R) and experience with relevant libraries and frameworks.

Ideally you will also have:

• Familiarity with MLOps practices and tools.

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About Us

There's something so special about working at the world's most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities.

Every day, you'll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore.

It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we're working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability.

Join us on that journey and we'll help you achieve your ambitions too. Supporting you to learn, encouraging you to be yourself, backing you to achieve more than you might ever have imagined. Because there's no place like Heathrow.

Our rewards

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance-based annual bonuses and our longer-term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market-leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we'll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we'll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you'll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.

Working Location

Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow. Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You'll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.

Sustainable Travel to work

Heathrow's Sustainable Travel Guide sets out easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.

Equal Opportunities

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger - not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.

About the Team

Together, we're working to welcome millions more passengers, while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability. At Heathrow, you can be part of this - providing solutions that make every journey better for millions each year. That means ensuring we meet the changing needs of the passengers, colleagues and partners who use our airport to work, travel, trade, shop, eat, explore and connect. Our Solutions team covers project management, process improvement, business change, technology, cyber defence, masterplanning, infrastructure and procurement. It brings together people with the skills to deliver prestigious and often large-scale projects, from transforming terminals to making big reductions in our carbon emissions.

Every day will test your skills and give you the opportunity to make your mark. You might be working with the technology and data that power our city within a city, driving vital commercial agreements with everyone from retailers to airlines, or improving the unique infrastructure that includes everything from 200 buildings to 250 HV substations. It's a collaborative environment, where you can rely on the support of the experts around you as you take on projects you'll both take pride in and feel passionate about.

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