Lead Data Scientist

Allianz; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company in Slough is looking for a Lead Data Scientist to spearhead AI and machine learning initiatives across its Pet Insurance brands. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in implementing AI to improve customer experiences, alongside strong skills in Python, SQL, and Azure. This full-time role offers competitive compensation and a flexible working environment.

Benefits

Flexible buy/sell holiday options

Hybrid working

Annual performance related bonus

Contributory pension scheme

Development days

Discounts on insurance products

Retail discounts

Volunteering days

Qualifications

• Proven experience in utilizing Machine Learning and AI to enhance customer experience.
• Expert knowledge of Python, SQL, and Azure.
• Demonstrated ability to embed AI-driven processes in a business environment.
• Experience in leading and managing a team of offshore experts.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the AI strategy across our portfolio of Pet Insurance brands.
• Oversee an offshore team developing machine learning and AI capabilities.
• Ensure adherence to governance and regulatory requirements.
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices across the business.
• Manage stakeholder relationships to facilitate deployment and integration of AI solutions.

Skills

Machine Learning

AI implementation

Python

SQL

Azure

Stakeholder Management

Team Leadership

Education

Degree in Maths, Science, Engineering, IT, or Psychology with statistical focus

Job description

Role Description

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Lead Data Scientist to lead our AI and machine learning initiatives across our portfolio of Pet Insurance brands, including the market leader, Petplan. This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape and deliver the AI strategy, driving innovation and enhancing customer experience through advanced data-driven solutions.

Salary Information

Pay: Circa £70,000 per annum.

Pay is based on relevant experience, skills for the role, and location. Salary is only one part of our total reward package.

About You

• Develop and implement the AI strategy across our portfolio of Pet Insurance brands, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer needs.
• Oversee an offshore team responsible for developing machine learning and AI capabilities, ensuring seamless deployment within the business to simplify processes and improve customer experience.
• Ensure adherence to governance and regulatory requirements, working within an established framework for AI and data processes.
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices across the business to enhance AI literacy and capabilities.
• Ensure AI tools and capabilities are future-proof, considering emerging trends and future use cases to maintain competitive advantage.
• Manage stakeholder relationships with process owners and central functions to facilitate rapid deployment and integration of AI solutions

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in utilising Machine Learning and AI to enhance customer experience and automate processes within a large, complex organization.
• Expert knowledge of the following of Python, SQL and Azure as a minimum.
• Demonstrated ability to embed AI-driven processes and solutions in a business environment, delivering measurable improvements.
• Experience in leading and managing a team of offshore experts focused on building AI tools to enable process automation.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with previous experience in influencing a variety of stakeholders, including process owners and central functions such as IT and compliance.
• Confident in leading cross-team projects and change initiatives from a business perspective, driving strategic objectives and innovation.
• Degree level in a numerate subject such as Maths, Science, Engineering, IT, or Psychology with a statistical focus.

What We Will Offer You

Recognised and rewarded for a job well done, we have a range of flexible benefits for you to choose from- so you can pick a package that's perfect for you. We also offer flexible working options, global career opportunities across the wider Allianz Group, and fantastic career development and training. That's on top of enjoying all the benefits you'd expect from the world's number one insurance brand, including:

• Flexible buy/sell holiday options
• Hybrid working
• Annual performance related bonus
• Contributory pension scheme
• Development days
• A discount up to 50% on a range of insurance products including car, home and pet
• Retail discounts
• Volunteering days

Our Ways of Working

Do you need flexibility with the hours you work? Let us know as part of your application and if it's right for our customers, our business and for you, then we'll do everything we can to make it happen. Here at Allianz, we are signatories of the ABIs flexible working charter. We believe in supporting hybrid work patterns, which balance the needs of our customers, with your personal circumstances and our business requirements. Our aim with this is to help innovation, creativity, and you to thrive - Your work life balance is important to us.

Integrity, Fairness, Inclusion & Trust

At Allianz, we believe in fostering an inclusive workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Our commitment to equal opportunities, gender equity, and balanced gender representation, is demonstrated by our numerous accreditations: EDGE certified for gender inclusion, Women in Finance Charter members, Disability Confident employer, Stonewall Diversity Champion, Business in the Community's Race at Work Charter signatories, and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard employer.

Accessible Application for All

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we support candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions through the Offer an Interview Scheme, for those meeting the essential skills for the role.

Contact our Resourcing team to opt into this scheme or for assistance with your application, including larger text, hard copies, or spoken applications. [e-mail]

For any inquiries or to submit your application, please contact: Conor McCourt

Closing date 29/07/2025

We reserve the right to close the advert early if we reach enough applications.

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