Lead Data Scientist

WPP Media; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global marketing and advertising agency seeks a Lead Data Scientist for their EMEA team in Greater London. This role combines technical expertise in Python and Cloud, focusing on creative analytics and Generative AI solutions. You'll mentor a team and drive innovative data science projects. Exceptional communication skills and client-centric problem-solving are essential. Join a dynamic team passionate about transforming marketing through data-driven solutions.

Benefits

Inclusive work culture

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in data science, analytics, or AI, ideally in a consultancy setting.
• Proven success in managing large-scale data science projects.
• Deep expertise in machine learning, predictive analytics, and data visualization.

Responsibilities

• Drive technical execution of data science workstreams and prototype models.
• Mentor and guide a team of data scientists on technical tasks.
• Develop and implement innovative data science solutions.

Skills

Python

AI

Stakeholder communication

Problem solving

Data analysis

Tools

GCP

LLM APIs

Job description

Choreograph is WPP’s global data products and technology company. We serve as the data and AI engine for WPP Media, on a mission to transform marketing by creating data-driven technology and solutions that bridge marketing strategy to scaled activation.

This role sits within Choreograph Services, where we work directly with agencies and clients to transform the value of data. Rather than just offering off-the-shelf products, we build bespoke, data-driven technology solutions that empower teams, accelerate performance, and drive client growth.

We’re endlessingly curious. Our team of thinkers, builders, creators and problem solvers are over 1,000 strong, across 20 markets around the world.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Choreograph is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to join our EMEA Data Science team, dedicated to a global technology client. This individual will work in the field of creative analytics, developing and utilising cutting-edge GenAI solutions. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise in Python and Cloud environments with the ability to communicate the results of complex analyses to stakeholders.

For this client, you will work alongside the data science team lead to drive the technical execution of data science workstreams, ranging from prototyping predictive models to GenAI solutions. You will assist in providing mentorship and technical guidance to a small team of data scientists, designing tasks and ensuring high standards of code quality to facilitate smooth hand-offs to other teams. You will serve as a key link between Data Science, Data Engineering, and Product teams, ensuring our work is robust, reproducible, and aligned with business goals.

You are client-centric, an innovative problem solver, and always looking for creative approaches to solve complex challenges. You thrive in collaborative environments, building strong relationships across teams and aligning with common goals. You are a high-agency operator who is comfortable navigating ambiguity and proactively identifying solutions to keep projects moving forward.

Team Management

• Work with the team lead to plan and organise workstreams, helping to manage priorities and ensure the team delivers projects on time, on budget and aligned with objectives.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to a team of data scientists, collaborating on task design and code reviews to ensure high-quality output

Client and Stakeholder Engagement

• Establish trust with internal and client stakeholders by producing high-quality technical documentation and clear specifications for all models and solutions.
• Effectively disseminate work to diverse audiences, translating complex data science concepts into clear narratives for business stakeholders.

Solutions Development

• Develop and implement cutting-edge creative analytics data science solutions, ranging from predictive models to GenAI workflows.
• Oversee the solution lifecycle from design to prototype to delivery, ensuring solutions are validated, defensible, and meet the strict requirements of the client.
• Champion high standards of code quality and reproducibility, ensuring that prototypes are structured effectively for handoff.

Innovation and Best Practices

• Identify and share best practices and learnings with the wider team, contributing to the continuous evolution of our data science capabilities.
• Support ethical AI practices and responsible data management, ensuring that all solutions meet the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
• Stay informed on emerging trends and technologies, helping to design innovative new solutions or improve existing methodologies to drive higher efficiency.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with data engineering, product and engineering teams to identify dependencies and deliver integrated data science solutions.
• Foster collaboration between technical and non-technical teams, helping to translate business requirements into precise technical tasks for execution.
• Proactively identify and resolve technical or organisational blockers, navigating ambiguity to find solutions rather than just reporting issues.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• Experience in a role within data science, advanced analytics, or AI, ideally in a client-facing, consultancy, or professional services environment.
• Demonstrable success in managing large-scale data science or analytics projects that deliver significant business impact.
• Demonstrated ability to balance long-term strategic goals with immediate client needs, driving both growth and operational excellence.
• Deep expertise in data science methodologies, including machine learning, statistical modelling, predictive analytics, and data visualization. A strong proficiency in Python is essential, along with experience in cloud-based data platforms, ideally GCP.
• Hands-on experience with Generative AI, including working with LLM APIs (e.g., Gemini, OpenAI) and prompt engineering. Experience working with unstructured data (text, video, or audio) is highly desirable.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to manage and influence senior client stakeholders. Experience in explaining complex data science concepts in business terms and helping clients adopt data-driven strategies.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a team of data scientists. A track record of developing team members and fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.

Bonus Points

• Familiarity with the WPP Media ecosystem or experience working within a global marketing or media agency network.
• Experience working with advertising, media planning, or marketing technologies.
• Experience with or a keen interest in Creative Analytics – specifically applying data science to measure the effectiveness of creative assets (video, image, text).

If you are ready to be at the forefront of the AdTech industry, shaping its future, and driving success for both Choreograph and our clients, we encourage you to apply and join our team.

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