Data Science Manager - Advanced Analytics & AI

TalkTalk Telecom; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Private healthcare

Generous holiday

Pension plan

Broadband for all

Volunteer days

Salary sacrifice

Retail discounts

Job summary

TalkTalk Telecom is hiring a Data Science Manager to lead a high‑performing team and deliver data science products that drive measurable business impact. You will blend deep statistical expertise with people leadership, guiding projects from proof of concept through to production in a fast‑moving telecom environment.

You will mentor junior data scientists, collaborate across the business, and embed best practice while scaling the data science capability to meet demand for GenAI and advanced

Qualifications

• Educated to MSc, PhD or equivalent apprenticeship level in physics, mathematics, statistics, data science, AI or computer science.
• Proven leadership experience and ability to mentor junior data scientists and analysts.
• Strong programming capability in Python and SQL; experience with data tooling and platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead the data science team from proof of concept to production using agile, iterative approaches.
• Deploy robust data products into production with MLOps best practices.
• Ensure solutions adhere to data, regulatory and AI requirements; collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams.

Skills

Python

SQL

GIT

CI/CD

MLFlow

Databricks

Leadership

Communication

GenAI

Data science

Education

MSc/PhD or equivalent

Tools

Databricks

MLflow

Job description

This position is offered on a 12‑month FTC basis. Join us as we embark on an exciting new chapter in our brand-new office at Circle Square, Manchester. Lead teams. Build products. Deliver real business value - As demand for data science products continues to grow across TalkTalk, our teams are expanding to meet the opportunity. This newly created hands‑on Data Science Manager role will lead a high‑performing team and deliver data science products that drive measurable business impact. Reporting into the Head of Data Science, Advanced Analytics & AI, you'll combine strong technical expertise with people leadership - guiding teams from proof of concept through to production, embedding best practice, and ensuring our data science capability continues to scale.

The Role - You will:

• Support the Head of Data Science, Advanced Analytics & AI in delivering the department’s strategic mandate
• Apply deep expertise in statistics, mathematics, data science and AI techniques, including GenAI, to solve complex business problems
• Lead the development of data science products from POC to production, using agile, iterative and “fail fast, learn fast” approaches
• Deploy robust, scalable data products into production using MLOps best practices
• Ensure all solutions adhere to organisational, regulatory and legal data and AI requirements
• Mentor, manage and continuously upskill junior data scientists and analysts
• Create energy, momentum and pride within the team, positioning data science as an internal consultancy delivering world‑class outcomes
• Collaborate closely with multi‑disciplinary teams across the business to ensure alignment and impact

What You’ll Bring

• Technical & Analytical Expertise
• Proven experience as a Data Science and AI expert, delivering tangible business value through data‑driven solutions
• Educated to MSc, PhD or equivalent apprenticeship level in physics, mathematics, statistics, data science, AI or computer science
• Strong programming capability in Python and SQL
• Hands‑on experience with modern data tooling and platforms, including GIT, CI/CD pipelines, MLFlow and Databricks
• Strong problem‑solving ability with experience managing complex, varied workloads
• Leadership & Communication
• Prior experience managing, motivating and upskilling junior team members
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain the “why do we care?” to stakeholders with varying technical knowledge
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, digitally transforming organisation, focused on outcomes and delivery
• A collaborative team player with a tenacious, resilient, can‑do mindset
• Desirable Experience within the Telecommunications sector is a bonus, but not essential

Data is at the heart of every great decision we make, and this is your opportunity to lead that journey. If you're ready to inspire a team, unlock new insights, and help drive the next chapter of growth at TalkTalk, we'd love to hear your story. Bring your expertise, your ambition, and your authentic self, and let's build something brilliant together. Be Yourself. Make an Impact. Join Us. As a recognised Top 50 Inclusive Employer in the UK, we believe that diversity fuels innovation and success. We’re committed to building a workplace that reflects the communities and customers we serve. At TalkTalk, inclusion is part of our DNA – we’re all 100% human, and we’ve created a culture where you can truly be yourself. We’re not your traditional 9-5. We’re a dynamic, flexible workplace, and we’re excited to hear how you like to work. Whether you thrive in collaboration, focus better at home, or prefer a bit of both – let’s make it work.

What We Offer

• Flexible hybrid working – with a minimum of 50% office presence to support teamwork and connection
• Collaborative office spaces designed for creative thinking and innovation
• Generous holiday package – 25 days annual leave, 3 wellbeing days, and your birthday off (plus the option to buy up to 10 more days!)
• Private healthcare for all employees
• Competitive pension scheme and performance-related bonus opportunities
• Free broadband for all employees
• Life event gifts – celebrating milestones like marriages and births
• Inclusive employee networks – open to all, supporting peer connection and thought-provoking conversations
• Salary sacrifice scheme – save on dental, gym, and more
• Big retail and leisure discounts
• 3 paid volunteering days a year – because making a difference matters to us too

We’re on a mission to bring simple, affordable, reliable and fair connectivity to everyone. We believe every customer matters, so we’ve been challenging the status quo from the word go to change things for the better. We’ve created a working environment where you can be yourself and give your all whether that be from your front room or the boardroom. You’ll be called on to out‑think the competition and work closely with your colleagues to come up with new ideas and deliver great results for our customers. It won’t always be easy, but it’s always exciting. There are great opportunities for you, and our business, if you’re ready to stand for something