Data Science Manager

Insurance and Care NSW (icare); Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible & hybrid work

Private health insurance discounts

Novated leasing

Learning and development opportunities

Employee wellbeing program

Recognition programs

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Insurance and Care NSW (icare) is seeking a Data Science Manager to lead and develop a talented DS/AI team. You will partner across the organisation to identify opportunities where data science can create value, combining hands-on technical credibility with people leadership and portfolio prioritisation.

You will uplift capabilities, shape a data-driven culture and ensure responsible, governance-aware delivery from problem framing through to implementation and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience leading Data Science teams and coaching
• Strong foundations in statistics, ML and AI with Python
• Delivery of DS/AI initiatives end-to-end through to implementation
• Ability to translate ambiguous business challenges into DS opportunities
• Experience prioritising a portfolio of work in complex environments
• Excellent communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Understanding of Responsible AI, governance and risk considerations
• Experience working across business and technology teams in regulated settings

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of DS and AI solutions from framing to implementation and improvement
• Partner with stakeholders to identify where DS/ML/AI can add value
• Shape and prioritise a portfolio of work balancing value, feasibility and risk
• Provide technical leadership across statistics, ML and AI with robust experimentation and evaluation
• Coach and develop DS practitioners to grow capability
• Collaborate with ML Engineering, Data Platforms, Architecture and Governance teams
• Evaluate solutions in use and drive continuous improvement with evidence
• Build trusted stakeholder relationships and clearly communicate findings

Skills

Lead Data Science teams

Python proficiency

End-to-end DS projects

Stakeholder engagement

Responsible AI

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

• Sydney, Kent Street
• Full-time opportunity
• Lead Data Science and AI from idea to real-world impact

About the role:

Turn complex business challenges into Data Science and AI solutions that make a meaningful difference.

As Data Science Manager, you’ll lead and develop a talented team while partnering across the organisation to identify opportunities where data science, machine learning and AI can create value. You’ll combine hands‑on technical credibility with people leadership, portfolio prioritisation and stakeholder engagement, taking ideas from problem framing and experimentation through to implementation and continuous improvement.

You’ll also have the opportunity to uplift Data Science capability, strengthen ways of working and help the team become increasingly proactive in identifying and recommending opportunities for the organisation.

What you’ll be working on:

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of Data Science and AI solutions, from problem framing and experimentation through to implementation and improvement.
• Partner with stakeholders to explore business challenges and identify where data science, machine learning and AI can add value.
• Shape and prioritise a portfolio of work, balancing value, feasibility, risk, capacity and competing priorities.
• Provide technical leadership across statistics, machine learning and contemporary AI, supporting strong standards for experimentation, modelling, evaluation and peer review.
• Coach, mentor and develop Data Science practitioners, creating opportunities for people to build their capability and grow.
• Work closely with Machine Learning Engineering, Data Platforms and Insights, Architecture, Security, Privacy and Governance to deliver effective, responsible solutions.
• Evaluate solutions in use, using evidence to understand performance and impact and identify opportunities to continuously improve.
• Build trusted stakeholder relationships, communicate recommendations clearly and constructively challenge assumptions when needed.

What you’ll bring

• Experience leading and developing Data Science teams, with a focus on coaching, capability building and delivering outcomes.
• Strong technical foundations across statistics, machine learning and contemporary AI, supported by practical Python experience.
• Experience delivering Data Science, machine learning or AI initiatives end-to-end, including taking solutions through to implementation.
• The ability to turn ambiguous business challenges into clear, achievable Data Science opportunities.
• Experience prioritising a portfolio of work, managing capacity, dependencies, risks and competing priorities in a complex environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to explain technical findings, limitations and trade-offs to different audiences.
• An understanding of Responsible AI, governance and risk considerations associated with developing and deploying Data Science and AI solutions.
• Experience working across business and technology teams, ideally within a regulated or similarly complex environment.

What we offer

• Flexible and hybrid ways of working to help you balance work and life
• A corporate wellbeing program with subsidised gym membership, free flu vaccinations and health checks
• Extra leave benefits for employees to make life a little easier for our people
• Private health insurance discounts
• Novated leasing, salary packaging and salary sacrifice options
• Learning and development opportunities to build your skills, expand your experience and support your career development.
• Recognition that celebrates individuals and teams making a positive impact including our People Awards - on-the-spot, quarterly and annual
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program for you and your immediate family
• Mental health training accreditation and peer support initiatives
• A genuinely inclusive workplace, including support for hidden disabilities through the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program

About icare

Icare provides insurance and care to the people, businesses and communities of NSW. Our work supports recovery, independence and safer workplaces; protects homes and public assets; and helps keep essential insurance and care schemes fair and sustainable for the future.

People rely on the systems we manage at important and often difficult points in their lives: while recovering from injury, adapting to a different future, running a business, building a home or delivering public services. The quality of our decisions and services can affect what happens next. We believe the better we do, the better for NSW.

We know our strength comes from the diversity of our people, and we encourage people with different experiences and backgrounds to apply.

We are committed to building a safe and inclusive workplace where people feel respected, supported and able to contribute their best. Inclusion is not a standalone initiative; it is part of how we make better decisions, design better services and reflect the communities we serve

We welcome and support people of all abilities and backgrounds to apply– if you need adjustments during the process, email: [e-mail].

Please note:

• You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen with a current passport, or hold unrestricted working rights to apply.
• This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks including criminal history checks.
• For more information about icare visit our website
• A talent pool may be created through this process
• icare operates a direct sourcing model, so no agency introductions will be accepted.