Principal Data Scientist

Forge Holiday Group; Chester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Forge Holiday Group is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead AI and machine learning initiatives in their Data & Analytics team. This hybrid role based in Chester will involve developing impactful ML systems and mentoring junior staff, offering a unique opportunity to influence strategic direction across multiple holiday brands.

Benefits

Annual bonus scheme – up to 10% of salary

33 days holiday (+ up to 5 extra days with long service)

Birthday day off

Two paid volunteering days per year

Enhanced parental leave (24 weeks maternity, 3 weeks paternity at 100% pay)

Qualifications

• Extensive experience designing and deploying ML and AI solutions.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL.
• Strong understanding of model validation and responsible AI practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of critical ML and AI solutions.
• Shape strategic roadmap for AI initiatives.
• Mentor and develop junior team members.

Skills

Python

SQL

Statistical Modelling

Machine Learning

AI Solutions

Communication

Leadership

Education

MSc or PhD in a quantitative field

Tools

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

AWS SageMaker

Job description

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Principal Data Scientist – Forge Holiday Group

Chester Head Office (Hybrid – minimum of 2 days per week in the office)

37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am–5:30pm

We’re on the lookout for a commercially minded Principal Data Scientist to join our high-performing Data & Analytics team at Forge Holiday Group. You’ll take the lead on the most complex, high-impact initiatives, helping to shape the strategic direction of AI and machine learning across our Group.

This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact, working across holiday brands including Sykes Holiday Cottages, Forest Holidays, UKcaravans4hire, and Bachcare in New Zealand.

What You’ll Do:

️ Lead the design, development and delivery of our most critical machine learning and AI solutions

️ Shape the strategic roadmap for scalable, ethical and explainable AI initiatives

️ Develop production-grade ML systems with robust lifecycle management and monitoring

️ Champion best practices in MLOps, CI/CD, testing and model governance

️ Guide technical decision-making and project design across the data science function

️ Drive cross-functional collaboration with product, engineering, and analytics teams

️ Translate business strategy into high-impact, data-driven initiatives

️ Mentor and develop junior team members, supporting both technical and professional growth

️ Contribute to a culture of innovation, learning and experimentation

What We’re Looking For:

Extensive experience designing and deploying ML and AI solutions in production

Proficiency in Python (e.g. Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch) and SQL

Expertise in statistical modelling and advanced machine learning (e.g. transformers, reinforcement learning, XGBoost)

Strong understanding of model validation, explainability and responsible AI practices

Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence across teams

Familiarity with MLOps tooling and scalable cloud platforms

Nice To Have:

Experience setting or influencing data science strategy in a growing organisation

Familiarity with AWS SageMaker or similar cloud-based ML tools

Published work, open-source contributions or community involvement

MSc or PhD in a quantitative field (e.g. statistics, computer science, mathematics)

What We Can Offer You:

Annual bonus scheme – up to 10% of salary

️ 33 days holiday (+ up to 5 extra days with long service)

Birthday day off

Two paid volunteering days per year

Enhanced parental leave (24 weeks maternity, 3 weeks paternity at 100% pay)

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, your unique perspective matters here. Need support during the application process? Just let us know.

If you’re passionate about data and want to make a real impact at a company where innovation, growth and teamwork are at the heart of everything, we’d love to hear from you!

Apply now to shape the future of AI and analytics at Forge.

View the full job specification here

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Information Technology

• Industries

  Travel Arrangements, IT Services and IT Consulting, and Retail

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