Senior Data Scientist

Hastings Insurance Services Limited; Leicester; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance provider in the UK is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to develop cutting-edge models and tools for risk analysis and pricing. This role involves liaising with stakeholders, managing ML projects, and utilizing programming skills in Python and SQL. The successful candidate will benefit from a competitive salary, car allowance, and a flexible hybrid working environment, alongside comprehensive wellbeing programs and 27 days of annual leave.

Benefits

Competitive salary

£5,000 car allowance

Flexible hybrid working

Annual performance bonus

Private medical insurance

Health assessments

Dental plans

Cycle-to-work scheme

Life assurance cover

Income protection

Matched pension contributions

Mental health support

27 days annual leave

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering ML projects.
• Experience in liaising with stakeholders and framing problems for commercial impact.
• Keen interest in emerging ML techniques and their commercial value.
• Dynamic, flexible and delivery‑focused in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to focus on the bigger picture while also handling details.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain analytical tools to support risk portfolio management.
• Develop models to predict claims outcomes and risk KPIs.
• Identify and analyse new data sources for monetisation.
• Deliver ML projects from EDA to deployment and evaluation.

Skills

Machine Learning project delivery

Stakeholder management

Emerging ML techniques

Proficiency in Python

Proficiency in SQL

Azure ML

Git

Azure Cloud Services

Strong communication skills

Problem solving

Job description

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 and Analysts all championing alternative ways of risk analysis and market pricing.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain analytical tools to support 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.
• Deliver ML projects from EDA to deployment, including post‑deployment evaluation and model refreshing.
• Liaise with multiple stakeholders to frame problems and build solutions with effective commercial outcomes.
• Own and account for key projects and workstreams.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering ML projects.
• Experience in liaising with stakeholders and framing problems for commercial impact.
• Keen interest in emerging ML techniques and their commercial value.
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, Azure ML, Git, and Azure Cloud Services.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work cross‑functionally with Data Engineers, Actuaries and Pricing Analysts.
• Natural problem solver who builds quality solutions to complex real‑world challenges.
• Dynamic, flexible and delivery‑focused in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to focus on the bigger picture while also handling details when required.

Interview Process

1. Recruiter screening call
2. 1st stage interview – Initial intro with hiring leader
3. 2nd interview (technical) – panel interview
4. 3rd short call with hiring leader

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary and £5,000 car allowance
• Flexible hybrid working approach
• Competitive bonus scheme – all colleagues eligible for annual 4Cs performance bonus
• Physical wellbeing – private medical insurance, health assessments, dental plans, cycle‑to‑work and tech schemes
• Financial wellbeing – life assurance cover, income protection at no cost, matched pension contributions up to 10%, discounts and cashback
• Mental wellbeing programme – Thrive mental health app, 24/7 support, in‑house first aiders and support groups
• 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, with option to buy or sell a week
• Inclusive work environment – equal opportunities employer respecting all protected characteristics

Equal Opportunities Statement

Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. We also welcome applications through the Disability Confident Scheme.