Senior Data Scientist

Hastings Direct; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital insurance provider in the UK is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to drive innovative solutions in pricing. The role involves developing predictive models, maintaining analytical tools, and leveraging cutting-edge data assets. Ideal candidates will have a strong ML project delivery background and proficiency in Python and SQL. The position offers a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance and a performance bonus.

Benefits

Competitive salary

£5k car allowance

Flexible working

Annual performance bonus

Private medical insurance

Life assurance cover

Matched pension contributions

27 days annual leave

Qualifications

• Strong background in delivering ML projects from exploration to implementation.
• Ability to liaise with stakeholders to frame problems and build solutions.
• Interest in the commercial value of new ML techniques.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain analytical tools for risk portfolio management.
• Develop predictive models for claims outcomes and risk KPIs.
• Engineer new rating factors for pricing algorithms.
• Identify and monetize new data sources.

Skills

Machine Learning project delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Emerging machine learning techniques

Python

SQL

Azure ML

Git

Azure Cloud Services

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Job title: Senior Data Scientist – Pricing

Location: London / Leicester / Bexhill

Welcome to Hastings Direct

We’re a digital insurance provider with a clear strategy to become the best and biggest player in the UK market. As a company, we’ve made huge investments in our technology, pricing, data and analytics capabilities over the past few years, along with nurturing our 4Cs culture and substantial investment in our people. And as a Pricing team, we're doing exactly the same – building a market leading Pricing technology platform, investing in our team and our approach to leadership development, with a real focus on commercially adding value to the business.

We have high standards and understand some people may not apply for jobs unless they feel they tick every box. If you’re excited about joining us and think you have some of what we are looking for, even if you’re not 100% sure, we would love to hear from you.

Role overview

We are Looking for an experienced Data Scientist that wants to break free of the normal and develop real innovation to the Insurance Industry!

The Senior Data Scientist will assist in the identification and creation of cutting‑edge data assets and predictive models that feed into Hastings’ market‑leading pricing activities. This role is within a challenger product with a team comprising Data Scientists/Modellers as well as Analysts all championing alternative ways of risk analysis and market pricing.

We are looking for individuals to leverage new a new tech stack that enhances our potential model deployment capabilities. It is great that you are looking to build your career with us, please ensure you invest time in your application and where appropriate, use your internal network to help support your interest.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and maintain analytical tools to support in the management of our risk portfolio.
• Develop best in‑class models to predict claims outcomes, fraud and other risk KPIs.
• Engineer powerful new rating factors to be deployed into our rating algorithms.
• Identify, analyse and monetise new data sources.

Essential skills/experience:

• Multiple track record of delivery of ML projects from EDA to deployment, post‑deployment evaluation and model refreshing.
• Experience in liaising with multiple stakeholders to effectively frame problems and building solutions with effective commercial outcomes.
• Keen interest in emerging ML techniques and their commercial value.
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, Azure ML, Git, Azure Cloud Services.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally with Data Engineers, Data Scientists, Actuaries and Pricing Analysts.

Personal Attributes

• Natural problem solver who loves building quality solutions to complex real‑world challenges.
• Focuses on the bigger picture but not afraid to get into the detail when necessary.
• Dynamic, flexible, and delivery‑focused work ethic required to adapt to a fast‑paced environment.
• Takes ownership and accountability for key projects and workstream.

The interview process:

Our interview process involves the below:

• Recruiter screening call
• 1st stage interview – Initial Intro with hiring leader
• 2nd interview (Technical) will include panel
• 3rd Short call with Hiring Leader

As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are fully inclusive – what this means to you is if you’re applying for a job with us, you’ll have fair access to support and adjustments throughout your recruitment journey. We also welcome applications through the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). For more information on the DCS, please visit our inclusive business page on our careers website.

Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary and £5k car allowance you will also receive …

Flexible working

We champion a flexible hybrid working approach – please speak to your recruiter to discuss in more detail.

Competitive bonus scheme

All colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus.

Physical wellbeing

As a Band 4 colleague, Hastings pays for you to receive private medical insurance (PMI). This gives you flexibility and convenience to see a specialist or consultant and allows you to decide when and where you will be seen.

Financial wellbeing

As well as providing you with 4× your salary with our life assurance cover, income protection at no extra cost, and matched pension contributions up to 10%, we are proud to provide you with an award‑winning package which includes discounts, cashback, free independent mortgage advice and free access to financial wellbeing support.

Mental wellbeing programme

We have the Thrive mental health app, our colleague assistance programme available 24/7, our own in‑house mental health first aiders, support groups and a dedicated team to make sure we are covering your needs.

There’s more!

27 days annual leave + bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell one of your weeks, access to our health‑care cash‑back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, Cycle to Work and tech schemes, discounted and free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year and much more …

Join us and you’ll find a different way of doing things. We call it the 4Cs. We focus on getting it right for our colleagues, customers, company and community. As one of our colleagues, you’ll be helping to drive our growth, so in return, we’ll give you all the support, training and development you need.

Our 4Cs principles are simple: we believe by creating the right culture for our colleagues and giving them the right tools to do their job, we’ll deliver good outcomes for every customer, helping us to grow the company profitably and sustainably and allowing us to invest in the communities we serve.

At Hastings Direct, we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we encourage you to be open with us. Our recruitment team is here to provide the support you need to ensure a fair and accessible experience for all.

Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. Please also note that we have a thorough referencing process, which includes credit and criminal record checks.