Lead Data Scientist

Reed; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed is seeking a Senior or Lead Data Scientist to join their growing Data Science & AI team in London. The role blends hands-on delivery with leadership to develop production-ready ML solutions that drive real-world impact across national scale.

You will mentor other data scientists, set best practices for Python development and model governance, and collaborate with data engineers, architects, and product teams to translate complex analytics into actionable decisions.

Qualifications

• End-to-end data science or ML project delivery experience.
• Strong Python development skills and software craftsmanship.
• Experience deploying solutions in cloud environments (Azure preferred).
• Technical leadership experience including mentoring and code reviews.
• Solid understanding of data quality, governance, and reproducibility.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of end-to-end Data Science and Machine Learning projects.
• Develop and deploy production-ready ML solutions.
• Collaborate with Data Engineers, Architects, and Product teams.
• Drive best practices in Python development, testing, and model governance.
• Mentor Data Scientists through technical leadership and code reviews.
• Communicate complex analytical insights to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

End-to-end DS/ML delivery

Advanced Python

Stakeholder communication

Team mentorship

Data governance & quality

Model governance

Tools

Python

Azure

Job description

Are you a Senior or Lead Data Scientist looking to apply your expertise to projects that deliver real-world impact?

We're recruiting for a Lead Data Scientist to join a growing Data Science & AI team, developing innovative machine learning and AI solutions that support critical operational decision-making and improve outcomes on a national scale.

This role combines hands-on technical delivery with leadership responsibilities, giving you the opportunity to shape best practices, mentor other Data Scientists, and influence the future direction of AI within the organisation.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading the delivery of end-to-end Data Science and Machine Learning projects
• Developing and deploying production-ready ML solutions
• Collaborating with Data Engineers, Architects, and Product teams
• Driving best practices in Python development, testing, and model governance
• Mentoring Data Scientists through technical leadership and code reviews
• Communicating complex analytical insights to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

What We're Looking For

• Strong experience delivering end-to-end Data Science or Machine Learning solutions
• Advanced Python development skills
• Experience deploying solutions within cloud environments (Azure preferred)
• Technical leadership experience, including mentoring and code reviews
• Strong understanding of data quality, governance, and reproducibility
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

What's On Offer?

• Hybrid working in London
• Meaningful AI & ML projects with tangible real-world impact
• Collaborative and highly skilled technical team
• Strong work-life balance and flexible working environment
• Opportunity to influence and shape Data Science best practice