Data Scientist

Hastings Direct; Bexhill-on-Sea; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

4C s performance bonus

Life assurance

Income protection

Pension contributions match

Wellbeing & mental health

Job summary

Hastings Direct is seeking a Data Scientist to design, develop and deploy predictive models that power the company’s pricing strategies. You’ll work within a data science team championing ML techniques to improve predictive performance on large customer datasets.

The role emphasizes building scalable pipelines, collaborating with pricing and underwriting, and delivering commercial value through data-driven decisions. Hybrid work options and a focus on growth are highlighted in the announcement.

Qualifications

• Experience building predictive models (e.g., linear and gradient boosted models).
• Proficiency using Python and machine-learning libraries.
• Proficiency in SQL, including data prep for modelling.
• Basic knowledge of Git or other version control systems.
• Strong communication and time management skills.
• Experience delivering data science solutions with measurable business value.

Responsibilities

• Develop and support predictive models to assess insurance risk and inform pricing and underwriting decisions.
• Integrate models into production systems and monitor their performance.
• Develop, maintain and improve reusable data science tools, pipelines and processes.
• Identify and prepare new data features to improve pricing outcomes.

Skills

Predictive modeling

Python

SQL

Git basics

Communication

Business impact

Tools

Machine learning libraries

Job description

Welcome to Hastings Direct

We’re a digital insurance provider with a clear strategy to become the best and biggest player in the UK market. As a company, we’ve made huge investments in our technology, pricing, data and analytics capabilities over the past few years, along with nurturing our 4Cs culture and substantial investment in our people. And as a Finance team, we’re doing exactly the same – building a market leading finance technology platform, investing in our team and our approach to leadership development, with a real focus on commercially adding value to the business.

The fact you’re now reading this job advert means we’ve tempted you to find out more about #lifeatHD. If you like what you see, we hope you’ll consider joining our team.

We have high standards and understand some people may not apply for jobs unless they feel they tick every box. If you’re excited about joining us and think you have some of what we are looking for, even if you’re not 100% sure, we would love to hear from you.

Job Title: Data Scientist

Location: Bexhill/Leicester/London – Hybrid

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position

Role Purpose

The Data Scientist willassistin the design, development, and deployment of predictive models that feed into Hastings’ market-leading pricing activities. This role is within a team of Data Scientists championing machine learning (ML) techniques to improve predictive performance using vast amounts of customer information.

Accountabilities

Your responsibilities will include:

• Develop and support predictive models to assess insurance risk and inform pricing and underwriting decisions.
• Contribute to the integration of models into production systems and support their ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
• Develop, maintain and improve reusable tools, pipelines and processes that enable efficient, reliable and reproducible modelling, following agreed standards for coding, documentation, testing and model development.
• Identify, assess and prepare new data features, evaluating their predictive value, stability, interpretability and potential impact on customer pricing outcomes.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Experience building and evaluating predictive models such as linear and gradient boosted models.
• Proficiency using Python and appropriate machine-learning libraries.
• Proficiency in SQL, including preparing and transforming data for predictive modelling.
• Basic knowledge of Git or other code version control systems.
• Strong communicationskillsand time management skills.
• Demonstrable experience delivering data science solutions that have influenced business decisions and generated measurable commercial value.

Desirable

• Experience usingAzure Machine Learning Studio or similar cloud-basedML platforms.
• Experience using Snowflake or similar cloud-based data platforms.
• Experience in general insurance.

Personal Attributes

• Natural problem solver who loves building quality solutions to complex real-world challenges.
• Worksindependently to deliver solutions towell-defined requirements.
• Dynamic,flexibleand delivery focussed.

The interview process:

Our interview process involves the below:

• Recruiter screening call.
• Intro with Hiring manager.
• Interview with hiring team – Case study.

As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are fully inclusive – what this means to you is if you’re applying for a job with us, you’ll have fair access to support and adjustments throughout your recruitment journey. We also welcome applications through the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS).For more information on the DCS, please visit our inclusive business page on our career’s website

Benefits

• In addition to a competitive salary, you will also receive…
• Flexible working – we champion a flexible hybrid working approach – please speak to your recruiter to discuss in more detail
• Competitive bonus scheme - all colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus
• Financial wellbeing – as well as providing you with 4x your salary with our life assurance cover, income protection at no extra cost, and matched pension contributions up to 10%, we are proud to provide you with an award-winning package which includes – discounts, cashback, free independent mortgage advice and free access to financial wellbeing support
• Mental wellbeing programme – we have the thrive mental health app, our colleague assistance programme available 24/7, our own in-house mental health first aiders, support groups and a dedicated team to make sure we are covering your needs
• There’s more! – 25 days annual leave + bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell one of your weeks, access to our health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, Cycle to work and tech schemes, discounted and free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year and much more ….

If you are interested in any other positions at Hasting Direct – you can view our live vacancy list via our carers page. Link below:

Careers

Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. Please also note that we have a thorough referencing process, which includes credit and criminal record checks.

At Hastings Direct, we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we encourage you to be open with us. Our recruitment team is here to provide the support you need to ensure a fair and accessible experience for all.

Job posting end date:

18/10/2026