Head of Data Science

Quilter plc; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider is seeking a Data Science leader to drive innovative AI strategies and oversee project execution. This senior role involves shaping data-driven initiatives, fostering stakeholder relationships, and developing talent to enhance the company's competitive edge and customer experience.

Benefits

182 hours holiday (26 days)

Pension Scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance (4x salary)

Healthcare Cash Plan (Jersey employees only)

Qualifications

• Significant knowledge of delivering Data Science and AI solutions.
• Extensive experience in managing data science teams.
• Deep understanding of machine learning and statistical techniques.

Responsibilities

• Support the Chief Data Officer to develop a 3-year data science strategy.
• Oversee end-to-end execution of data science projects.
• Lead and develop employees within the roles remit.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Higher education degree in Data Science or related field

Tools

Python

Job description

About the Business

Quilter plc is a leading provider of financial advice, investments and wealth management, committed to being the UK's best wealth manager for clients and their advisers. Quilter oversees £119.6 billion in customer investments (as at end March 2025). It has an adviser and customer offering spanning financial advice, investment platforms, multi-asset investment solutions, and discretionary fund management. The business is comprised of two segments: Affluent and High Net Worth.

Affluent encompasses the financial planning business, Quilter Financial Planning, the Quilter Investment Platform and Quilter Investors, the multi-asset investment solutions business.

High Net Worth includes the discretionary fund management business, Quilter Cheviot, together with Quilter Cheviot Financial Planning.

At Quilter we never stand still. Our foundations are rooted in our extraordinary expertise, which is trusted by hundreds of thousands of customers, but we have great ambitions to stay one step ahead and make an even greater difference to the people and communities we serve.

Our business is transforming, continually modernising, and becoming even more customer centric. So, if you want to be bold in the pursuit of your ambitions, bring new ideas, and challenge and evolve what we do, it's the perfect time to join us!

About the Role

Level: Level 6

Department: COO

Location: London/ Southampton

Contract type: Permanent

The new role sits within COO and reports directly to the Chief Data Officer (CDO). The key accountabilities for the role are as follows:

• Data Science/AI Strategy - Support the CDO in developing and delivering a 3-year strategy and delivery roadmap for data science and AI across Quilter. This needs to deliver innovative solutions that support the business strategy and will inform business decision making, enhance customer experience and create competitive advantage. Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science and AI, integrating new techniques into the team's workflow.
• Delivery Management - Oversee the end-to-end execution of data science projects, from ideation to deployment. Ensure projects meet business requirements and deliver actionable insights. Manage project timelines, budgets and resource effectively.
• Culture & Capability - Develop and promote appropriate learning opportunities for all employees so that the power, risks and adoption of best practice for data science and AI are well understood. Ensure that Quilter has the right skillsets in place for now and the future.
• Relationships - Establish highly effective and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and business partners across Quilter to identify and explore data science and AI opportunities and threats in line with company strategy.
• Strategic Partnerships & External Relationships - Lead the identification and development of strategic and innovative partnerships and suppliers to develop and improve performance
• People - Lead, engage, motive and develop all employees within the roles remit to maximise their full potential. This also means ensuring high levels of engagement, professionalism and contribution to the business and ensuring that policies and procedures are followed in an appropriate and consistent manner.

Consumer Duty

Whilst this isn't a directly customer facing role, the duties you will perform will contribute to the overall positive outcomes for our customers by ensuring that the customer is at the heart of the Data Science and AI strategy, roadmap and plans created.

About You

Knowledge

• Significant knowledge of designing, managing and delivering Data Science and AI solutions in large, complex organisations, ideally within Financial Service organisations.
• A deep understanding of data science techniques, statistical modelling, machine learning and programming languages (e.g. Python) and cloud environments
• A solid understanding of business objectives and how data science and AI can drive value
• A good understanding of data governance policies and procedures and in particular how these apply to data science and AI projects, ensuring that data privacy and ethical considerations are addressed

Experience

• Extensive experience in successful delivery of data science and data analytics solutions, including leading, engaging and motivating data science teams is required
• Significant experience of articulating and translating business questions using scientific methods (experimental design, hypothesis testing and statistical techniques (e.g. supervised and unsupervised machine learning, deep learning) to reach robust conclusions and answers
• Experience of working with agile delivery processes and environments

Skills

• Strategic thinking and planning capability specifically for data science and AI solutions
• Excellent leadership, communication and relationship building skills with an ability to influence as well as exert authority
• Collaborative, inclusive and engaging style with an ability to communicate technical and non-technical information to all levels in the organisation
• The ability to identify problems, analyse data and develop data-driven solutions
• Ability to learn, quickly interpret/apply and deliver under pressure, manage complex situations and provide informed responses in short timeframes

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Inclusion & Diversity

We value diversity and strive to promote inclusivity in all aspects of our culture. We believe in equal opportunities for all, ensuring that no applicant encounters less favourable treatment based on anything but their skills, qualifications, experience, and potential. We celebrate the unique contributions of a diverse workforce and create a respectful, nurturing environment where every colleague can thrive.

Values

Do the right thing: We act with integrity and are proudly committed to going above and beyond in service of our clients and the support we provide our communities.
Always curious: We continuously seek new ideas and knowledge so we're one step ahead of our clients' needs. We look for inspiration everywhere and encourage experimentation, recognising that this is how we create brilliant solutions for brighter futures.
Embrace challenge: We aim high to transform our potential into meaningful outcomes. With ambition as our driving force and a steadfast commitment to growth, we succeed for the good of every generation.
Stronger together: Combining our diverse talents, we accomplish more collectively than we ever could do alone. We speak openly, actively listen, and support each other, and constructively challenge and embrace new ideas. We seek empowerment and demonstrate ownership and trust, with the confidence to make impactful decisions.

Core Benefits

Holiday: 182 hours (26 days)

Quilter Incentive Scheme: All employees are eligible to participate in incentive scheme, to incentivise business performance and their contribution.

Pension Scheme: A non-contributory company pension scheme that can be boosted through personal contributions.

Private Medical Insurance: Single cover as standard with options to increase cover to include your partner or children.

Life Assurance: 4x your salary.

Income Protection: 75% of salary, less state benefits, payable after 26 weeks of absence.

Healthcare Cash Plan: Jersey employees only

In addition to our core benefits, we offer a range of flexible benefits to UK employees that you can choose from and pay for conveniently via a salary deduction.