Lead Data Scientist

National Highways; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

National Highways is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to guide a multidisciplinary team within Digital Services, using data science to solve public-interest problems and deliver measurable business value. This hybrid role requires two days per week in the office and regular travel to Birmingham for team meetings.

You will lead end-to-end data science product delivery, establish standards, and provide technical leadership while advancing responsible AI, ethics and sustainability across the

Qualifications

• Strong data science knowledge to solve complex problems and guide others.
• Builds data science capability using ML, NLP, modelling and dashboards.
• Maintains high‑quality data science solutions with code quality and reproducibility practices.
• Creates data science products delivering clear business value with governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of end-to-end data science products and manage priorities.
• Set data science standards, methodologies and quality frameworks across the team.
• Provide technical leadership on complex analytical initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement in data science practices and ways of working.
• Promote adoption of data science and AI capability across the organisation.

Skills

Data science

Leadership

Machine learning

NLP

Data visualization

Tools

Python

SQL

Analytics tools

Job description

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to use your data science skills for the public good, working with National Highways in our mission to connect the country and enable safer journeys. We believe that connecting people and communities creates job and social opportunities and helps businesses and the economy thrive. We make a positive difference to people's lives. We care about every person's journey. We aim to keep people moving today and moving better tomorrow. We want everyone on our network to get home safe and well.

We are seeking a curious and collaborative Lead Data Scientist to join our team within Digital Services. We provide National Highways with specialist skills and capabilities to keep pace with fast-moving digital change and the growing use of data and algorithms. This is a leadership role where you will guide multidisciplinary teams, foster a culture of continuous learning, and drive the development of innovative data products that deliver value. You'll work with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to uncover opportunities where data science can solve complex problems, with a focus on Safety, Delivery, Customer, ethics and sustainability.

This is a hybrid role, requiring two days per week in the office, based at any National Highways office location however, regular travel to Birmingham for team meetings will be required.

• Lead delivery of a portfolio of end-to-end data science products and services while managing priorities, capacity and delivery across the team.
• Establish, implement and maintain data science standards, methodologies and quality frameworks across the team's delivery.
• Provide technical leadership on complex analytical initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement in data science practices and ways of working.
• Promote adoption of data science and AI capability across the organisation through effective delivery, engagement and knowledge sharing.

About You

• Applies strong data science knowledge to solve complex problems, identify opportunities and drive innovation, while providing technical guidance to others.
• Builds data science capability across the team and organisation, using techniques such as machine learning, natural language processing, modelling and dashboards to deliver effective solutions.
• Develops and maintains high-quality data science solutions, including coding, testing, documentation and quality reviews, while promoting good programming, reproducibility and maintainability practices.
• Creates impactful data science products that deliver clear business value, presenting complex analysis and visualisations clearly while supporting good data governance and ethical data science practices.
• Uses statistical and analytical techniques such as data mining, predictive and prescriptive analytics to generate insights, reports and models that support organisational objectives.

While a good understanding of transport would be useful, this is not essential, and National Highways prides itself on ensuring that staff can grow and develop their skills.

About us

Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England's motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.

The Digital Services Directorate is helping to reshape the way National Highways operates by delivering digital, data, and technology services across all areas, from frontline to back office, in a modern and efficient manner. Our vision is to develop integrated information and technology that empowers our colleagues and provides real-time information to our customers, as well as integrating with intelligent vehicle and transport systems as they evolve, to enhance journey safety and reliability.

External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.

We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.