Data Science Manager

icare NSW; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid work options

Corporate wellbeing program

Extra leave benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Employee Assistance Program

Inclusive workplace

Job summary

icare NSW is seeking a Data Science Manager to lead a talented team and partner across the organisation to deliver data science and AI value. The role blends hands-on technical credibility with people leadership, prioritising a dynamic portfolio from problem framing to implementation.

You will uplift Data Science capability, improve ways of working, and help the team proactively identify opportunities for impact within a regulated public-sector environment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading and developing Data Science teams.
• Strong technical foundations in statistics, ML and AI with practical Python experience.
• Experience delivering DS/ML/AI initiatives end-to-end, including implementation.
• Ability to turn ambiguous business challenges into clear DS opportunities.
• Experience prioritising a portfolio of work in complex environments.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Understanding of Responsible AI, governance and risk considerations.
• Experience working across business and technology teams in regulated or complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead 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, ML 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, ML and contemporary AI, supporting standards for experimentation, modelling, evaluation and peer review.
• Coach, mentor and develop Data Science practitioners, creating opportunities for people to build capability.
• Work closely with ML 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.

Skills

Data Science leadership

Python programming

Machine learning

Stakeholder engagement

Problem framing

Portfolio prioritisation

Responsible AI

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

• 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
• 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.