Lead Data Scientist

Lloyds Banking Group; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 86,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading banking institution in Bristol seeks a Lead Data Scientist to drive AI projects and improve data science practices. This role requires extensive experience in machine learning, strong leadership skills, and excellent communication abilities. You will work in a hybrid environment, contributing to impactful AI projects that enhance customer experiences. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Benefits

Pension contribution of up to 15%

Annual bonus

Flexible benefits

30 days holiday plus bank holidays

Wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience as a Senior Data Scientist or Technical Lead in machine learning.
• Experience leading data scientists and setting technical standards.
• Ability to translate data science methods for non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Act as a technical lead within the Data Science Modelling Chapter.
• Own and improve approaches for solving AI use cases.
• Deliver proofs-of-concept demonstrating capabilities.

Skills

Machine learning experience

Team leadership

Strong communication

Deep knowledge of ML techniques

Skills in Python and SQL

Tools

GCP

Azure

Data science packages

Job description

End Date

Monday 11 August 2025

Salary Range

£86,964 - £102,310

We support flexible working – click here for more information on flexible working options

Flexible Working Options

Hybrid Working

Job Description Summary

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team.

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Lead Data Scientist

SALARY: £90,440 - £106,400

LOCATION: Bristol

HOURS: Full Time

WORKING PATTERN: We adopt a hybrid working style which involves spending at least two days per week, or 40% of our time, at our Bristol office.

About this opportunity

Consumer Servicing & Engagement (CS&E) Platform delivers a unified digital servicing proposition for personal customers on the device of their choosing, giving the best digital customer experience to increase engagement and options for self-service.

We build deeper and more trusted relationships with our customers and support them to improve their financial lives by offering valuable, engaging, and human-like digital banking experiences. We grow customer satisfaction and trust through simple, helpful, and personalized experiences that they love.

We provide and guide customers to complete easy-to-use self-serve offerings where they can do (almost) everything they want within digital. We deepen valued customer relationships, helping them build financial resilience, by understanding what they need and when.

What you’ll do…

• Act as a technical lead within the Data Science Modelling Chapter, responsible for helping our project delivery teams to develop and implement best practice solutions.
• Own and continually improve our approaches for solving common AI use cases, focused around NLP – blending traditional NLU techniques with GenAI.
• Deliver proofs-of-concept that demonstrate these capabilities and how they can deliver value to future projects.
• Contribute to target production architectures of AI systems.
• Define automated approaches to workflows like feature selection, hyperparameter tuning, model testing, and monitoring.
• Contribute to the training curriculum and professional development pathways, from graduate schemes to senior technical leads.

Why Lloyds Banking Group?

We're on an exciting transformation journey. The investments we're making in our people, data, and technology are leading to innovative projects, new possibilities, and ways for our people to work, learn, and thrive.

What you’ll need:

• Experience as a Senior Data Scientist or Technical Lead in machine learning.
• Experience leading data scientists and setting technical standards.
• Strong communication skills and effective collaboration abilities.
• Ability to translate data science methods for non-technical audiences and persuade stakeholders.
• Deep knowledge of ML techniques, especially in Natural Language, deep learning, and LLM workflows.
• Experience with Cloud engineering in GCP and Azure.
• Understanding of risks and mitigations for Generative AI applications.
• Skills in Python and SQL, including modular coding, pandas, and other data science packages.
• Ability to incorporate subject matter knowledge into feature engineering and hypotheses testing.
• Capability to balance coaching and hands-on data science work.
• A pragmatic approach to work and design.

About working for us

We are committed to inclusivity, diversity, and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. We offer workplace adjustments, are a Disability Confident Leader, and provide adjustments during recruitment for applicants with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions.

Our benefits include:

• A pension contribution of up to 15%
• An annual bonus
• Share schemes including free shares
• Flexible benefits like shopping discounts
• 30 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Wellbeing initiatives and parental leave policies

Join us to do meaningful work that makes a difference to millions of people!

At Lloyds Banking Group, our purpose is to help Britain prosper. We focus on making a difference for customers, businesses, and communities, offering many opportunities to learn, grow, and develop.

We keep your data safe and only ask for confidential or sensitive information during the interview or after accepting an offer, explaining our reasons clearly.

We are building a values-led, inclusive culture where everyone can make a real difference.