Data Science Lead - Contract

ShareForce; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ShareForce is seeking an experienced Data Science Lead on a contract basis to own four established predictive models and drive the transition of data science capability into the internal team.

The role is delivery-focused with remaining hands-on, guiding model governance and lifecycle processes in Azure and Databricks, while communicating findings to senior stakeholders and shaping the operating model for sustainable success.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in data science, machine learning and predictive modelling, ideally in senior or lead-level roles.
• Deep practical expertise across the full model lifecycle, including development, deployment, validation and production monitoring.
• Strong Python and SQL skills.
• Practical experience with Databricks and Microsoft Azure.
• A strong track record of taking ownership of existing production models and improving their performance and management.
• Experience establishing effective model governance, monitoring and documentation practices.
• Experience in regulated financial services, insurance or a comparable regulated sector.
• Proven experience transferring technical knowledge and capability from external partners or consultancies into internal teams.
• Strong stakeholder-management skills and the ability to operate credibly with senior leadership.
• A delivery-focused approach and the willingness to remain actively involved in hands‑on data science work.
• Experience joining organisations for periods of transition, transformation or capability build would be particularly valuable.

Responsibilities

• Take end-to-end ownership of four predictive models, covering development, validation, deployment, monitoring, documentation and optimisation.
• Lead the transfer of technical knowledge, processes and model ownership from an external specialist partner into the internal team.
• Work hands‑on with data, Python, SQL and modelling tools to resolve issues and improve model performance.
• Assess the existing data science capability and implement practical improvements to model management, governance, explainability and lifecycle processes.
• Ensure models are appropriately documented, monitored and supported to enable sustainable internal ownership.
• Help strengthen the organisation's approach to deploying and managing machine-learning models within Azure and Databricks.
• Identify and prioritise opportunities across predictive modelling, AI and external data that can deliver measurable business value.
• Develop the internal team's technical capability and establish effective ways of working.
• Advise senior stakeholders, translating technical findings and risks into clear commercial recommendations.
• Provide credible evidence of model performance, governance and capability to support strategic and due diligence requirements.

Skills

Data science leadership

Machine learning

Predictive modelling

Python

SQL

Azure Databricks

Stakeholder management

Hands-on data science

Tools

Databricks

Microsoft Azure

Job description

ShareForce is seeking an experienced, hands‑on Data Science Lead on a contract basis to take ownership of four established predictive models and lead the transition of data science capability from a specialist external partner into the internal team.

This is a delivery-focused role with a clear mandate: establish internal ownership of the models, complete the transfer of technical knowledge and capability, strengthen model management and governance, and leave behind a robust and sustainable data science operating model.

Combining deep technical expertise with strong leadership, you will work across a Microsoft Azure and Databricks environment, remaining close to the data and models while providing direction and assurance to senior stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Take end-to-end ownership of four predictive models, covering development, validation, deployment, monitoring, documentation and optimisation.
• Lead the transfer of technical knowledge, processes and model ownership from an external specialist partner into the internal team.
• Work hands‑on with data, Python, SQL and modelling tools to resolve issues and improve model performance.
• Assess the existing data science capability and implement practical improvements to model management, governance, explainability and lifecycle processes.
• Ensure models are appropriately documented, monitored and supported to enable sustainable internal ownership.
• Help strengthen the organisation's approach to deploying and managing machine-learning models within Azure and Databricks.
• Identify and prioritise opportunities across predictive modelling, AI and external data that can deliver measurable business value.
• Develop the internal team's technical capability and establish effective ways of working.
• Advise senior stakeholders, translating technical findings and risks into clear commercial recommendations.
• Provide credible evidence of model performance, governance and capability to support strategic and due diligence requirements.

Skills and Experience

• Significant experience in data science, machine learning and predictive modelling, ideally gained in senior or lead-level roles.
• Deep practical expertise across the full model lifecycle, including development, deployment, validation and production monitoring.
• Strong Python and SQL skills.
• Practical experience with Databricks and Microsoft Azure.
• A strong track record of taking ownership of existing production models and improving their performance and management.
• Experience establishing effective model governance, monitoring and documentation practices.
• Experience in regulated financial services, insurance or a comparable regulated sector.
• Proven experience transferring technical knowledge and capability from external partners or consultancies into internal teams.
• Strong stakeholder-management skills and the ability to operate credibly with senior leadership.
• A delivery-focused approach and the willingness to remain actively involved in hands‑on data science work.
• Experience joining organisations for periods of transition, transformation or capability build would be particularly valuable.

Contract and Working Arrangements

• Duration: 6 months
• Hybrid working from the Basingstoke office, with an expectation of 2-3 days onsite each week.