Lead Data Science: Credit Risk & AI Strategy

Harnham; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Harnham is seeking a Head of Data Science to lead and develop a data science function in a fast-growing fintech, where AI, ML and data-driven decisioning drive business outcomes. You will shape strategy, oversee production deployment of models, and influence risk and customer experience.

The role owns data science strategy across risk, affordability, and lending decisioning, building models with credit risk, Open Banking and customer data.

Qualifications

• Strong commercial experience in credit risk modeling within UK consumer lending.
• Hands-on expertise in machine learning, Python and SQL.
• Experience deploying production-ready models in cloud and MLOps environments.
• Familiarity with Open Banking data, affordability assessment, and AI-powered decisioning.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy ML models for risk, affordability, and lending decisioning.
• Own data science strategy across risk, affordability and lending.
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, Credit Risk and Operations to deliver measurable business impact.
• Drive best practices in AI governance, deployment, monitoring and reporting.

Skills

Data science leadership

Credit risk modeling

Machine learning

Python

SQL

Open Banking

LLMs / AI decisioning

Cloud/MLOps

Tools

MLOps

Job description

Harnham is seeking a Head of Data Science to lead and develop a data science function in a fast-growing fintech, where AI, ML and data-driven decisioning drive business outcomes. You will shape strategy, oversee production deployment of models, and influence risk and customer experience.

The role owns data science strategy across risk, affordability, and lending decisioning, building models with credit risk, Open Banking and customer data.