Lead Data Scientist

Bibby Financial Services Ltd; City Of London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Private healthcare

Company pension scheme

Flexible benefits

Wellbeing centre

Retail discounts

25 days holiday

Job summary

Bibby Financial Services is seeking a Lead Data Scientist in London with travel to Banbury to establish and scale our Data Science capability. You will build predictive models and analytics solutions, setting standards and best practices for ML across the organisation within the Azure Databricks Lakehouse environment.

You will lead the application of machine learning and statistical modelling to drive strategic decisions, while mentoring data scientists and partnering with stakeholders to

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Data Science, machine learning or advanced analytics roles.
• Proven ability to develop and deploy predictive models with measurable business impact.
• Knowledge of statistical modelling and ML techniques; model evaluation approaches.
• Advanced Python and SQL for data science, analytics and model development.
• Experience with Azure Databricks or similar cloud analytics platforms.
• Familiarity with MLOps including deployment, versioning, monitoring and lifecycle management.
• Ability to translate business problems into actionable analytical solutions and communicate insights clearly.
• Strong stakeholder management and leadership to drive complex initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and deploy predictive and statistical models for strategic and operational decisions.
• Deliver Data Science solutions across use cases like attrition, credit risk, likelihood-to-pay and pricing optimization.
• Apply ML, statistics and analytics to solve business challenges and create value.
• Evaluate and continuously improve model performance through testing and monitoring.
• Ensure models are scalable, reliable and production-ready.
• Explore large datasets to identify trends and opportunities.
• Explain model findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define success metrics and impact.

Skills

Python

SQL

Azure Databricks

MLOps

Stakeholder management

Data Science

Machine Learning

Tools

Azure Databricks

Job description

Lead Data Scientist - London with travel to Banbury: £75,000 - £80,000pa plus Performance Bonus & Benefits.

Bibby Financial Services are growing, and we’re looking for aLead Data Scientist to join our team. The Lead Data Scientist will establish and develop the organisation's Data Science capability, delivering predictive models and advanced analytics solutions that drive strategic and operational decision-making. As the first dedicated Data Science role within the organisation, the role will lead the application of machine learning and statistical modelling to solve business challenges, while defining the tools, standards and best practices required to build a scalable Data Science function within the Azure Databricks Lakehouse environment.

At Bibby Financial Services (BFS), we’ve been helping small and medium-sized businesses thrive and grow since 1982. Working across 9 countries, we provide the funding and support that give our clients the confidence to take their next step, whether that’s expanding, innovating or breaking into new markets. We’re proud to be part of Bibby Line Group, a long-standing family business and one of the UK’s oldest independent companies

What you’ll be doing:

• Design, develop and deploy predictive and statistical models to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Deliver Data Science solutions across a range of use cases including customer attrition, credit risk, likelihood-to-pay and pricing optimisation.
• Apply machine learning, statistical and analytical techniques to solve complex business challenges and generate measurable business value.
• Evaluate and continuously improve model performance through testing, monitoring and refinement.
• Ensure models are scalable, reliable and suitable for operational use.
• Explore and analyse large and complex datasets to identify trends, patterns and opportunities.
• Translate business problems into analytical approaches and Data Science solutions.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Partner with stakeholders to define success measures and assess the impact of Data Science initiatives.
• Establish standards, frameworks and best practices for Data Science and machine learning across the organisation.
• Define approaches for model development, validation, deployment and lifecycle management.
• Develop scalable and repeatable Data Science and MLOps processes within the Azure Databricks Lakehouse environment.
• Collaborate with Data Engineering, Data Architecture and Data Governance teams to ensure Data Science solutions align with wider data standards and platform capabilities.
• Support the implementation of tooling and processes for model versioning, deployment, monitoring and performance management.
• Ability to explain models to non-technical business stakeholders and to understand and explain the impacts of models on the business
• Act as the organisation's subject matter expert for Data Science, predictive analytics and machine learning.
• Work closely with stakeholders across departments to identify and prioritise opportunities for advanced analytics.
• Mentor data scientists and other data professionals in advanced analytical techniques where appropriate.
• Support the Head of Data in defining the Data Science roadmap and the future growth of the capability.

Who are we looking for?

• Significant experience in Data Science, machine learning or advanced analytics roles.
• Proven experience developing and deploying predictive models that deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Knowledge of statistical modelling, machine learning techniques and model evaluation approaches.
• Advanced skills in Python and SQL for Data Science, analytics and model development.
• Exposure in developing Data Science solutions within Azure Databricks or similar cloud-based analytics platforms.
• Proficiency in implementing or working with MLOps practices, including model deployment, version control, monitoring and lifecycle management.
• Know-how of translating business challenges into practical Data Science solutions and communicating insights to non-technical stakeholders.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work independently and lead complex initiatives from inception to delivery.

What you’ll get in return:

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, increasing with service, with buy/sell options
• Hybrid working
• Private healthcare for you and your family
• Company pension scheme
• Flexible benefits (gym membership, tech, health assessments and more)
• Access to an online wellbeing centre
• Discounts with a wide range of retailers
• Plus, much more!

There’s no place quite like BFS and we’re proud of that. And it’s all down to you - you make us the people with which every ambitious business loves to work which is highlighted through our values: We partner with customers for long term success, We redefine what’s possible, We deliver what matters, when it matters and We support each other to be our best.

Please note: the closing date for this role is Monday 26th October 2026

We're absolutely committed to being a truly inclusive place to work, where everyone has an equal opportunity to reach their true potential. Let us know if you need adjustments to support you through any stage of the Recruitment