Collections Data Scientist

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Swindon; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company is seeking a skilled Collections Data Scientist in Swindon. You will analyze customer data, build predictive models, and help improve credit risk strategies. The ideal candidate has a strong background in credit risk analytics, proficiency in SQL, and experience with Python or R. This position offers a competitive salary and benefits, fostering a culture of data-driven transformation.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual leave: 26 days holiday per year

Performance-related pay plan

Generous Pension Scheme

Access to health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience in credit risk analytics, debt management, or financial modelling.
• Strong SQL skills for querying, reporting, and optimisation.
• Proficiency in Python and/or R for modelling and visualisation.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams and translating data into strategy.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms like Azure Data Lake, AWS, or Google Cloud.

Responsibilities

• Lead deep-dive analysis into customer portfolio trends and build predictive models.
• Develop and maintain SQL-based reporting solutions.
• Collaborate with the Credit Reporting & Insight team.
• Partner with the Digital Team for data governance.
• Shape strategy and support decision-making with the Income Leadership Team.

Skills

Credit risk analytics

Debt management

Financial modelling

SQL

Python

R

Data-driven thinking

Cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, Google Cloud)

Education

Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, or Statistics

Job description

Are you ready to turn data into action and make a real impact? Thames Water is looking for a skilled and driven Collections Data Scientist to join our dynamic Credit Risk team. This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of credit risk analytics, helping to shape smarter collections strategies, reduce bad debt, and improve customer outcomes. As part of a priority investment area, you'll play a key role in transforming how we use data‑working closely with senior stakeholders, digital teams, and data owners to deliver best‑in‑class portfolio management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead deep‑dive analysis into customer portfolio trends, build predictive models, and support the transition to our enterprise data lake. Your insights will directly influence operational improvements, policy decisions, and long‑term financial resilience.
• Develop and maintain SQL‑based reporting solutions to drive actionable insights.
• Collaborate with the Credit Reporting & Insight team to ensure analytics meet business needs.
• Partner with the Digital Team to align data governance and infrastructure.
• Work with the Income Leadership Team to shape strategy and support decision‑making.
• Champion a culture of data‑driven thinking across the Income function.
• Conduct root‑cause analysis of debt accumulation trends.
• Build and refine predictive models for credit risk and debt recovery.
• Provide insights to support the Bad Debt Transformation programme.
• Support the migration to a data lake environment, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
• Create scalable, efficient SQL code and reporting frameworks.
• Embed analytics into strategic decision‑making across the business.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience in credit risk analytics, debt management, or financial modelling.
• Strong SQL skills for querying, reporting, and optimisation.
• Proficiency in Python and/or R for modelling and visualisation.
• Experience working in cross‑functional teams and translating data into strategy.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms like Azure Data Lake, AWS, or Google Cloud.
• A degree (or equivalent experience) in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or similar.
• A passion for continuous improvement and data‑led transformation.

Desirable Experience

• Experience migrating from traditional databases to data lake architecture.
• Background in Utilities or Financial Services.
• Exposure to SAP or DM9 environments.
• Knowledge of machine learning techniques relevant to credit risk.

We're the UK's largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive.

Why Join Thames Water?

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference. As part of our family, you'll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and excellent benefits. We are committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive workplace and welcome applications from everyone. Adjustments for accessibility are available. If you need any support during the application process, please let us know.

Hours

36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Benefits

• Competitive starting salary of £53,910 per annum.
• Annual leave: 26 days holiday per year (plus bank holidays), increasing to 30 days with length of service.
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company and individual performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Access to a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits (annual health MOTs, physiotherapy, counselling, Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers, life assurance).

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.