Principal Data Scientist

National Highways; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

National Highways is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to lead the data science agenda across the Digital Services Directorate. You will shape the data science strategy, collaborate with customers and stakeholders to drive innovation, and deliver data-driven insights that inform decision making.

The role blends technical leadership with mentoring, shaping in-house capabilities and data products across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of applied mathematics, statistics and scientific methods.
• Experienced in providing technical leadership in a similar role across transformation and delivery of data.
• Demonstrated expertise in driving data science innovation across government and industry.
• Proven capability in building data science capability across the organisation, developing talent and sharing knowledge.
• Track record of delivering impactful data science products with clear insights and visualisations.
• Skilled in applying programming and build practices to develop, test, refine and document data science solutions.
• Strong ability to translate complex analyses into actionable storytelling and influence decisions.

Responsibilities

• Work with National Highways, customers and stakeholders to understand where data science can add value
• Provide leadership and direction across a programme of multidisciplinary data science projects, managing resources to ensure delivery
• Source, access, manipulate and engineer data processes with data that typically have characteristics of volume, velocity and variety, or both
• Develop and apply technical and analytical standards from National Highways, government and industry
• Responsible for exploring and visualising the data to present the 'story' a meaningful way, and to a range of technical and non-technical audiences
• Evolving the array of data analysis tools and techniques across National Highways
• Propagate data science skills in other teams, understanding the variety of functional roles relating to data science and how they can be most effectively applied to solve business problems

Skills

Applied mathematics

Statistics

Technical leadership

Data science innovation

Data storytelling

Programming

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

As part of the development of our Digital Services function, we are recruiting to strengthen our internal digital capability. These roles are central to building sustainable in-house expertise that supports the design, development, and delivery of digital solutions across the transport network.

A key focus of this campaign is creating new opportunities. As a result, we are recruiting a Lead Date Scientist to play a leading role in shaping the future of digital services across National Highways.

Our Digital Lab develops and manages innovative data products and services in-house, while building strategic external partnerships that increase adoption of our digital assets to improve customer journeys and support the efficient operation of the Strategic Road Network.

As Principal Data Scientist, you will play a leading role in helping National Highways unlock the value of data. Working closely with customers and stakeholders, you will identify where data science can make the greatest impact, transforming complex data into compelling, evidence-based insights and actionable stories that enable better decision‑making. You will also play a key role in shaping the data science strategy, working collaboratively with National Highways stakeholders to drive innovation and maximise the value of data across the organisation.

This is a hybrid role, requiring two days per week in the office, based at any National Highways office location.

• Work with National Highways, customers and stakeholders to understand where data science can add value
• Provide leadership and direction across a programme of multidisciplinary data science projects, managing resources to ensure delivery
• Source, access, manipulate and engineer data processes with data that typically have characteristics of volume, velocity and variety, or both
• Develop and apply technical and analytical standards from National Highways, government and industry
• Responsible for exploring and visualising the data to present the 'story' a meaningful way, and to a range of technical and non-technical audiences
• Evolving the array of data analysis tools and techniques across National Highways
• Propagate data science skills in other teams, understanding the variety of functional roles relating to data science and how they can be most effectively applied to solve business problems

About you.

• Strong knowledge of applied mathematics, statistics and scientific methods, with the ability to apply these to practical data science challenges and provide expert guidance to teams.
• Experienced in providing technical leadership in a similar role across transformation and delivery of data, working with Data Engineers to develop and optimise data feeds that meet the needs of customers and data consumers across the organisation.
• Demonstrated expertise in driving data science innovation by exploring emerging approaches across government and industry, identifying opportunities to deliver business value and improve organisational outcomes.
• Proven capability in building data science capability across the organisation, championing continuous learning, developing talent, and sharing knowledge of emerging techniques and best practice.
• Track record of delivering impactful data science products that are proportionate to business needs, translating complex analysis into clear insights and visualisations, while supporting teams to strengthen data science communication.
• Skilled in applying programming and build practices to develop, test, refine and document data science solutions
• Strong understanding of a range of data analysis techniques, with the ability to apply these to generate actionable insights, communicate compelling findings that influence wider decisions, and explore innovative approaches to solve complex problems.

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.