Head of Data Science

Raylo; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options for all employees

L&D budget to support skills you value

Hybrid working model

Job summary

Raylo is seeking a Head of Data Science to lead our advanced ML initiatives and build a scalable data function. You will own end-to-end model development, from ideation to production, influencing credit risk, retention and recommendations.

You’ll collaborate across product, risk, and commercial teams to identify high-impact opportunities and deliver measurable business value. The role combines technical leadership with strategic vision, guiding Raylo’s data strategy as we scale internationally,

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in data science and predictive modelling.
• 2:1 or higher from a top university, preferably STEM.
• Ability to build, coach and motivate a broader data function.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead Raylo’s data science function, deploying AI/ML to solve key business problems.
• Own end-to-end design, build and deployment of production-grade ML models (credit risk, churn, recommendations).
• Partner with product, engineering, risk, operations and commercial to identify high-impact opportunities.
• Shape the data science roadmap and build the function as the business scales.
• Translate modelling approaches into clear commercial benefits for Raylo.

Skills

Data science

Predictive modelling

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

2:1 degree or higher

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.

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 $90m 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

We’re looking for an ambitious Head of Data Science to join Raylo and lead our advanced model building. Raylo has built a strong data foundation over the past five years, with robust analytics and data engineering powering commercial decision-making across the business. In this role, you’ll take that foundation to the next level by designing, building and deploying predictive models that directly influence some of the most important drivers of Raylo’s growth - from credit risk and customer retention to personalised recommendations.

You’ll become Raylo’s technical and strategic leader on:

• 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.
• Fast-track your career – 40% of our employees are promoted every review cycle (bi‑annually)
• Stock options for all employees
• L&D budget to support the skills you value
• Hybrid working model– 3 set days in the London Bridge Office (Monday, Wednesday & Thursday)
• 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.