Head of Data Science

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 115,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head of Data Science to lead their Data Science practice. This pivotal role involves strategic leadership, overseeing the deployment of machine learning and predictive analytics across the business. You'll establish a Centre of Excellence, ensuring best practices are followed while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in leading data science teams, particularly in a utility or infrastructure-heavy environment. This hybrid role offers a competitive salary and a chance to make a significant impact on the future of water services.

Benefits

26 days holiday per year

Annual Bonus

Generous Pension Scheme

Private Medical Health Care

Access to health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading data science teams in utility or engineering.
• Expertise in machine learning and AI deployment in operational environments.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the data science strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead the core data science team, ensuring best practices and quality control.

Skills

Data Science Leadership

Machine Learning

Predictive Analytics

Statistical Modelling

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Degree in Data Science or related field

Tools

Python

R

Azure ML

Databricks

Power BI

Job description

Job title Head of Data Science Ref 40733 Division Digital Transformation Location Reading - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Salary Offering up to £115,000 per annum depending on experience plus car allowance and bonus Job grade C Closing date 20/05/2025

At Thames Water, we make a daily difference to our 16 million customers by supplying 2.6 billion litres of water through 32,000 km of pipes, keeping taps flowing and toilets flushing. We deliver life's essential services so our customers, communities, and the environment can thrive.

As the UK’s largest water company, we are taking action for a new world of water - fixing the problems of today and building resilience for tomorrow.

We are seeking a Head of Data Science to establish, lead and grow our Data Science practice, including the Centre of Excellence (CoE) and oversee the deployment of machine learning, predictive analytics, and data-driven decision-making across the business. In this pivotal role, you will provide strategic leadership to your team and other teams in a hub-and-spoke model, ensuring that embedded data scientists within business units are aligned with centralised best practices and frameworks.

What you’ll be doing as Head of Data Science

Strategic Leadership

• Define and drive the data science strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and operational excellence. Establish the Data Science Centre of Excellence (CoE) to standardise methodologies and foster collaboration across business units.
• Oversee the design, development, and deployment of machine learning and AI models, ensuring scalability and real-world applicability in areas like predictive maintenance, leakage detection, and customer analytics.

Team Leadership & Hub-and-Spoke Model

• Lead the core data science team and provide oversight to embedded data scientists across departments, ensuring adherence to best practices, standardisation, and quality control.
• Stay at the forefront of AI and advanced analytics trends, evaluating emerging technologies for their applicability to Thames Water. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
• Identify opportunities to generate revenue from data assets and insights while promoting open data initiatives that encourage transparency and sector-wide collaboration.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Collaborate with senior leaders to influence strategic decision-making with data-driven insights. Translate complex data concepts into actionable business strategies.

Data Governance & Ethics

• Ensure compliance with GDPR, Ofwat regulations, and ethical AI frameworks while proactively establishing an organisational approach to responsible AI, bias mitigation, and explainability.

Capability Building & Upskilling

• Develop training and mentorship programmes to enhance the analytical skills of both technical and non-technical teams, embedding a data-driven culture throughout the business.
• Full Time - 36 hours per week.
• This is a hybrid role with an expectation to be in the office at least 1-2 times a week or ad-hoc as and when required.

What you should bring to the role

• Data Science & AI Leadership – Proven experience in leading data science teams, ideally in a utility, engineering, or infrastructure-heavy environment.
• Hub-and-Spoke Model Experience – Experience managing both centralised and embedded data science teams in a hub-and-spoke model, ensuring cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Strategic Influence – Experience shaping and delivering strategic AI and analytics initiatives that drive measurable business impact.
• Cross-functional Collaboration – Ability to work effectively with engineering, operations, IT, and customer teams to deliver value-driven analytics solutions.
• Open Data & Data Monetisation - Proven experience in developing data-driven monetisation strategies while advocating for open data transparency to drive industry collaboration.
• Significant experience in data science, machine learning, and analytics, with a proven track record of technical leadership, strategic influence, and business impact.

Essential Technical Skills & Qualifications

• Advanced Analytics & ML Deployment – Expertise in Python, R, or similar, with strong proficiency in cloud-based AI/ML services (Azure ML, Databricks, etc.).
• Big Data & Cloud Platforms – Strong understanding of data architecture, cloud solutions, and real-time analytics.
• Statistical & Predictive Modelling – Deep knowledge of statistical methods, machine learning algorithms, and AI techniques relevant to large-scale operational environments.
• Data Visualisation & BI – Ability to convey insights through tools like Power BI, SAP Analytics Cloud, or similar.
• Data Governance & Compliance – Familiarity with GDPR, ethical AI frameworks, and regulatory constraints in the utility sector.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £115,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Annual Bonus.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Private Medical Health Care.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world's water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is ga reat, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process . We aim to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support .

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.