Principal Data Scientist

Role: OVO-View

Team: Software Engineering

Location: Hub Based - Hybrid for all

Salary banding: £116,500 - 154,588

Experience: Expert

Working pattern: Full-Time

Reporting to: Director, Data & AI

Sponsorship: Unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

This role in 3 words: Ownership, Innovative, Impactful

Top 3 qualities for this role: Communication, Leadership, Drive

Where you’ll work: Depending on the needs of your business area, we expect hub based people to be in the office at least once a week, and to go to OVO Connection events in-person.

You’ll be assigned to the closest one of our three hub offices, Bristol, Glasgow, or London; unless your role requires field-based work. Each hub has accessible spaces to park your laptop, is designed to inspire people, help them connect and bring big ideas to life.

Everyone belongs at OVO: At OVO, we are on a mission to solve one of humanity's biggest challenges, the climate crisis. We know it takes all of us to change the world. We need diverse people from all abilities, gender identities, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, life experiences and backgrounds to join us.

Teamworking for the planet: Everything we do here spins around Plan Zero. The team you’ll be joining plays a gigantic role in making that happen. We are building out new tools to support back-office teams resolve customer bill issues more easily and swiftly. We will trial the use of new AI capabilities to transform how our business operates and meets customer demands.

As a Principal Data Scientist, you’ll play a key strategic role in shaping the future of our data science practice. You’ll lead innovative, high-impact projects, define our technical direction, and champion best practices across the organisation. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you’ll drive forward research and experimentation to keep OVO at the forefront of data science, ensuring our work is cutting-edge and aligned with our mission to build a more sustainable future.

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• Technical Leadership and Vision: Shape and communicate the technical direction of OVO’s data science function, guiding the team through expert mentorship and driving the adoption of modern tools, technologies, and approaches to elevate our capabilities.
  
• Leading Cutting-Edge Initiatives: Drive high-impact data science projects that solve complex business challenges and align with OVO’s strategic goals. Champion innovation and deliver scalable, forward-thinking solutions.
  
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with engineering, product, and business teams to embed data science into products and decisions. Communicate insights clearly to diverse audiences and build trusted partnerships across the organisation.
  
• Defining Technical Strategy: Develop a strategic roadmap for data science, informed by emerging trends and evolving business needs. Identify areas for innovation and lead the continuous evolution of our data science practice.
  
• Driving Research Initiatives: Lead research into advanced techniques and applications, publishing findings and representing OVO at industry events. Foster a culture of experimentation and learning within the team.
  
• Ensuring Best Practices: Establish standards for model development, validation, and deployment while ensuring data quality, compliance, and security. Promote scalable, reliable infrastructure and ethical data use.
  
• Community of Practice: Lead and grow the data science Community of Practice, sharing knowledge, mentoring peers, and contributing to learning pathways that support development and career growth across the team.
  

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• Proven ability to lead complex, high-impact data science initiatives that drive strategic outcomes
  
• Deep expertise in advanced machine learning, statistical methods, and algorithm development
  
• Proficient in Python or R, and advanced SQL, with strong research and analytical skills
  
• Demonstrated experience evaluating and applying emerging tools, technologies, and methodologies
  
• Skilled in defining and executing data science strategies aligned with business objectives
  
• Strong communicator, able to clearly explain technical concepts to diverse technical and non-technical audiences
  
• Effective collaborator with cross-functional teams, building trusted relationships across the organisation
  
• Recognised for technical leadership, mentorship, and fostering a culture of continuous innovation
  
• Committed to best practices in data science, ensuring quality, compliance, and scalable infrastructure
  

We keep our pay ranges broad on purpose to give us, and you, flexibility to match your experience to our zero carbon mission.

You’ll be eligible for an on-target bonus of 15%. We have one OVO bonus plan that focuses on the collective performance of our people to deliver our Plan Zero goal.

We offer green benefits and progressive policies to help you belong at OVO… and there’s flex pay. We’ll give you 9% Flex Pay on top of your salary – 4% of this is auto enrolled into your pension, and the remaining 5% is yours to use with our flexible benefits, including green benefits, pension, or take it as cash.

Here’s a taster of what’s on offer:

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• 34 days of holiday (including bank holidays)
  
• For your health: Healthcare cash plan or private medical insurance, depending on career level, plus critical illness cover, life assurance, health assessments, and more
  
• For your wellbeing: Gym membership, travel insurance, workplace ISA, will writing services, dental insurance, and more
  
• For your lifestyle: Extra holiday buying, discount dining, home & tech loans, and supporting charities with give-as-you-earn
  
• For your home: Up to £400 towards any OVO Energy plan, plus discounts on solar, smart thermostats and EV chargers
  
• For your commute: Car leasing deals, cycle to work scheme, and public transport loans
  

Want to hear about our full range of flexible benefits and progressive people policies? Our People Team can tell you everything you need to know.

For your Belonging: We have 8 Belonging Networks at OVO. Led by our people, for our people—join and contribute as you wish.

Oh, and one last thing: if you think you have most of what we’re looking for, go ahead and apply. If you have additional requirements, there’s a space on the application form; we want to make the process as easy as possible.