Data Science Lead

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Data Science Lead

Royal Mail Farringdon

Permanent, Full time

London Farringdon x3 days a week

Salary & Benefits

Competitive salary

Plus:
• Car allowance
• Healthcare
• Up to 18% annual bonus potential
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising with service
• Pension: access to the UK’s only Collective Defined Contribution scheme with industry-leading Royal Mail contributions of over 12%, flexible options to boost your savings, and a guaranteed retirement lump sum*

Data Science Lead

Royal Mail is undergoing one of the largest transformations in its history, using data, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to improve customer experience, optimise operations and unlock new growth opportunities.

We're looking for a Lead Data Scientist to provide technical leadership across our Data Science capability, helping shape how machine learning, forecasting, optimisation and AI are applied across the business.

This is a highly influential role that combines hands-on data science delivery with leadership and capability development. You'll work with senior stakeholders across Royal Mail, leading complex analytical initiatives while mentoring Data Scientists and driving best practice across the function.

If you're passionate about solving large-scale business challenges and developing high-performing teams, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading the design and delivery of advanced Data Science, Machine Learning and AI solutions that support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Providing technical leadership, coaching and mentoring to Data Scientists across the team.
• Driving the adoption of Data Science best practices, standards and modern ways of working.
• Working closely with Data Engineers, Machine Learning Engineers and Technology teams to develop scalable analytical solutions.
• Partnering with business stakeholders to identify opportunities and shape data-driven approaches to complex challenges.
• Overseeing solution quality, methodology selection and delivery across the Data Science portfolio.
• Supporting recruitment, capability development and the continued growth of the Data Science function.
• Translating complex analytical outputs into practical business recommendations that create measurable value.

What We're Looking For

You'll be an experienced Data Science leader with a track record of delivering impactful analytical solutions in a commercial environment.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience developing and delivering advanced analytics, machine learning and optimisation solutions.
• Strong expertise in statistical modelling, machine learning techniques and experimental design.
• Advanced Python and SQL skills.
• Experience leading complex Data Science initiatives from problem definition through to business adoption and value realisation.
• Previous experience coaching, mentoring or leading Data Scientists.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working with large, complex datasets to generate actionable insights.
• Knowledge of cloud-based analytics platforms and modern machine learning deployment practices.
• A passion for innovation, continuous improvement and developing data science capability.

Why Join Royal Mail?

• Lead high-profile data and AI initiatives with organisation-wide impact.
• Help shape the future direction of Data Science across Royal Mail.
• Work on challenging problems using modern machine learning and AI techniques.
• Collaborate with talented Data Scientists, Engineers and business leaders.
• Play a key role in building data-driven decision-making across a large, complex organisation.
• Be part of a business investing significantly in digital transformation and innovation.

If you're looking for an opportunity to combine technical leadership, people development and hands-on data science in a role with genuine business impact, we'd love to hear from you

About You

Benefits & Rewards

In addition to the salary and benefits outlined above, you'll also enjoy:

• Family friendly support - enhanced maternity pay, paternity leave, adoption leave and shared parental leave
• Supportive and generous company sick pay
• Funded Dental – As a manager you are eligible to a level of employer funded dental insurance**
• Health Assessment – As a manager you are eligible to an employer funded health assessment every 2 years**
• Benefits Account – With more than 800 retail offers to help you save on things like groceries, days out, holidays and your household bills as well as employer provided and voluntary benefits to suit your lifestyle.
• Your Wellbeing - you and your family have 24/7 access to a range of free services and tools, offering support for physical and mental wellbeing, financial guidance, and social support whenever you need it.

*Eligible for enrolment in NEST pension plan after 3 months service and CDC pension scheme after 12 months service
**Available only to permanent employees

Next Steps

The next stage of the selection process will be a face to face/virtual interview.

Trust is the foundation of Royal Mail. We aim to be transparent about the qualities we seek and what a career with us entails, building trust from the start of your journey with us. Your interview is the first step, and we want you to shine.

We understand that candidates may not meet all the criteria for the role. If your experience is different, but you have relevant skills we’d love to hear from you.

Closing Date: 07/11/26. Please note, this advert may close early if the appropriate number of applications has been reached.

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