Head of Data Science

Raylo Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Private Medical Insurance

Stock options for all employees

Learning & development budget

33 days off (25 + 8 holidays)

Job summary

Raylo is seeking a Head of Data Science to define and scale our AI and ML capabilities across the business. You will own end-to-end development of production-grade models, from credit risk and churn prediction to recommendation systems, while partnering with product, engineering, risk and commercial teams.

You will guide strategy, hire and mentor a growing data science function and help Raylo expand internationally, delivering measurable business impact and maintaining high data governance and

Qualifications

• 7+ years in data science and predictive modelling.
• 2:1 or higher from a top university (STEM preferred).
• Experience building and deploying ML models in production.
• Strong stakeholder management and leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead Raylo’s data science function, deploying cutting edge AI/ML to solve business problems.
• Own end-to-end design, build and deployment of production-grade ML models – from risk to recommendations.
• Partner with product, engineering, risk, and commercial teams to identify high-impact modelling opportunities and drive them to action.
• Translate modelling approaches into clear commercial benefits for the business.
• Build and coach a data science team as Raylo scales internationally.

Skills

Machine learning

Predictive modelling

Data strategy

Stakeholder management

Production ML

Education

2:1 or higher from a top university

Tools

Python

ML frameworks

SQL

Job description

The world is moving away from rigid ownership models in favour of more flexible, affordable access. Yet the $1.5 trillion device market has barely moved.

Our mission is to transform how technology is bought, used and reused — creating better outcomes for customers, brands and the planet.

Why We Exist

The world is moving away from rigid ownership models in favour of more flexible, affordable access. Yet the $1.5 trillion device market has barely moved.

Our mission is to transform how technology is bought, used and reused — creating better outcomes for customers, brands and the planet.

What We've Built

Raylo is the subscription infrastructure that enables leading electronics brands, including PlayStation, HP and Dyson, to move from one-off device sales to recurring subscription programmes that increase conversion, deepen loyalty and capture more lifetime value.

We have over $100m ARR, we’re profitable, growing fast, with over a quarter of a million subscriptions across consumers and small businesses. Customers trust us too, with a 4.5/5 Trustpilot rating from more than 20,000 reviews.

For customers, the experience is simple: subscribe to a device, get support throughout, upgrade when you want, and return it when you’re done. Behind that sits an AI-powered operating system that executes and manages device subscriptions end to end: credit and fraud decisioning, lifecycle operations, and the financing engine that enables brands to run subscription programmes at scale.

Brands can unlock a powerful new growth engine with Raylo across embedded checkout, Raylo.com and the customer app — converting more DTC customers, reaching subscription-first demand, and driving repeat upgrades that compound customer lifetime value.

The impact of our circular model is big. We cut emissions per device by around 50% compared to buy-and-discard. We’re B Corp certified, backed by Macquarie, NatWest and Channel 4 Ventures, and recognised by Tech Nation’s Future Fifty.

How We Work

AI is changing what small, ambitious teams can build. Companies that embrace it will define the next decade.

Raylo is uniquely placed to benefit. We combine proprietary technology and data with the orchestration of physical assets, operating across credit, fraud, pricing, logistics, refurbishment, resale and customer care. With AI improving every cycle, our moat deepens with scale.

At Raylo, AI is woven into how we work every day. We don’t ration access or hedge our bets. Our people use the best models and tools, and we expect them to do things that weren’t possible a year ago. Processes that used to be good enough are being rebuilt. Teams are replacing spreadsheets with bespoke tooling, and anyone can query our data layer in plain English and get a real answer in seconds.

We give every team their own hackathon: a chance to step back, start with a blank sheet, and ask: if we were starting today, how would we do this?

The more we automate, the more human judgement matters. AI gives people back time, and we expect them to spend it on the things no model can replicate: conversations, trust, craft and team judgement.

We hire to a high bar. You’ll work with people who push you, raise your game and expect you to do the same. We want every person at Raylo to do the best work of their lives, and enjoy doing it.

Our Core Values

• Be deeply curious – We thrive on innovation through diverse approaches, views, and people.
• Walk in your customer’s shoes – To build the best products and make the best decisions for the long term, we must figure out what our customers need, not just what they want.
• Focus and execute – We have a big vision, but we believe in nailing the most important problems first.
• Be gritty – Only gritty teams succeed. Our individual ownership, passion, and perseverance mean we’re a team through thick and thin.

What to Expect

• The cutting edge of ML and AI model development, applying the very best of what’s possible to Raylo’s hardest problems.
• Collaborating with teams across the business, to identify high impact opportunities for machine learning and advanced analytics,
• Taking these projects end-to-end from idea through to production deployment and monitoring.
• Redesigning our model building, deployment and monitoring process using agentic architecture and leveraging the latest LLM models. You’ll transform what’s possible for a data science team.
• Shaping and growing Raylo’s data science function as we rapidly scale over the next five years.

Raylo is a rapidly scaling, profitable company with ambitious international plans, and data sits at the core of how we make decisions and build our products. As Head of Data Science, your work will have a huge impact both on Raylo as it goes through transformative growth and how the data function at Raylo wins in the world of AI powered agentic infrastructure. It’s a rare opportunity to build best-in‑class models using cutting edge technology, while defining the strategic vision for a category-defining business.

What You’ll Do

• Reporting to the VP of Strategy & Analytics, you’ll define and lead Raylo’s data science function, deploying cutting edge AI and ML to solve Raylo’s hardest problems
• You’ll own end-to-end design, build and deployment of production-grade machine learning models - from credit risk and churn prediction to recommendation systems
• You’ll partner closely with teams across product, engineering, risk, operations and commercial to identify high-impact opportunities for advanced modelling and take them from ideation through to action.
• You’ll combine deep technical expertise with strong communication skills, translating complex modelling approaches into clear commercial benefits
• Starting as a hands‑on technical leader, you’ll own and shape the data science roadmap at Raylo, defining how AI is used to transform the practice of data science and build the function from the ground up

Your work will directly influence key outcomes for Raylo — from managing risk and improving customer retention to unlocking new growth opportunities as the business scales internationally.

You’ll Succeed With

• A proven track record with 7+ years of experience in data science and predictive modelling
• A 2:1 or higher from a top university, preferably in a STEM or quantitative discipline.
• Using your technical skills to build state of the art ML models and deploy them in production
• The desire to build, coach and motivate a broader function while continuing to deliver on high quality IC projects
• Collaborating in a fast-paced environment across the business with diverse skill sets and personality types. You have great stakeholder management skills and love using your analytical skills to champion data-driven decision-making and educate others.
• Taking responsibility and ownership for the work the entire area - if you’re not getting it done, then no one is

Opportunities & Benefits

• Fast-track your career – 40% of our employees progress every review cycle (bi‑annually)
• Exclusive Raylo device lease for employees
• Private Medical Insurance
• Stock options for all employees
• L&D budget to support the skills you value
• Hybrid working model
• 33 days off, your way – 25 days + 8 bank holidays with full flexibility to use on the days that mean the most to you
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption or shared parental leave, if you've been with us for 12 months.
• Workplace nursery scheme for major cost savings

Hiring Process

We move quickly and we'll aim to give you the best candidate experience possible. It starts with a 15-minute call — no prep needed. If there's a fit, we move fast, every stage has a purpose, and we'll tell you what we're looking for at each one.

If there's anything we can do to support you through the process, whether that's adjustments or anything else, please let us know.

As an FCA-regulated business, we conduct background checks (DBS and AML) on all successful candidates who are offered a position at Raylo during the onboarding process.

Diversity & Inclusion at Raylo

At Raylo, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, believing they make us stronger.