Senior Data Scientist

Yorkshire Water; West Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 66,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car scheme

Annual bonus up to 10% (15% in 26/27)

Private health care (self only)

Pension scheme (up to 12%)

Life assurance

25 days + 2 wellness days

Health cash plan

Cycle to work

Gym discounts

Job summary

Yorkshire Water is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to shape data-driven decisions across the organisation. You will own Data & AI products, guide strategic data initiatives, and lead a team in delivering innovative ML solutions on Azure and Databricks.

You’ll collaborate with senior stakeholders to turn data into actionable insights, ensuring governance, quality and continuous improvement, while advancing our data strategy.

Qualifications

• Degree in a numerate subject (e.g. Mathematics, Statistics).
• Proven experience in statistical analysis and data science, ideally within the water industry or similar sectors.
• Strong programming skills in Python, R, and SQL.
• Experience working with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS).
• Knowledge of data engineering, manipulation, and pipeline development.
• Familiarity with technical assurance, QA, and model performance evaluation.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including with senior leadership.
• Microsoft Azure certifications or equivalent.
• Experience in water, wastewater, utilities, or manufacturing sectors.
• Understanding of asset management principles.
• Experience with Agile delivery methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver innovative Data Science solutions using data science, ML/AI, open data, and cloud technologies.
• Represent the Data Team by owning and being accountable for Data & AI products as well as helping to steer the strategic direction of Data at YW.
• Prioritise and deliver data solutions aligned to business needs using teams' ways-of-working.
• Translate complex data into actionable insights that drive performance and transformation.
• Lead technical excellence through governance, assurance and coaching across the team.
• Actively supporting the professional development of data scientists.
• Support the business and data science leadership by triaging and undertaking reactive tasks to reduce ODI pressure.
• Communicate complex outputs clearly to non-technical stakeholders using visualisation tools and storytelling.
• Develop and maintain advanced modelling skills in Python, R, SQL, and cloud platforms.
• Align solutions with data strategy and wider transformation programmes.
• Horizon scan and embed emerging technologies like AI, Digital Twins, and Open Data.
• Represent Yorkshire Water in cross-sector innovation and academic communities.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

Azure/AWS

Data engineering

QA & model evaluation

Communication

Agile delivery

Ethics & integrity

Education

Degree in a numerate subject

Azure certifications

Tools

Azure

Databricks

Job description

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience (up to £73,000)
• A company car lease/allowance scheme (£500 per month/£6,000 per year, based on full-time employment on joining the company). You can opt to sign up to the EV Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme 6 months after joining the company.
• Annual incentive related bonus (up to 10% of annual salary, increasing to 15% in the 26 to 27 performance year).
• Private health care (self only)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus 2 extra wellness days!
• A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: Buttershaw/ Hybrid Working (1-2 days in the office a week – Bradford) This role will initially be based in Bradford but we’re moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026, so you’ll be based there in the future.

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Data Scientist to join the IT team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers. Could this be you?

What we do:

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this.

We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity. New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. The IT function is a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

We’re looking for a forward-thinking Senior Data Scientist to define and deliver cutting‑edge solutions using machine learning, open data, and cloud technologies. You’ll be the Product Owner for key initiatives within our Strategic Data Programme, working in Azure and Databricks, and aligning with our enterprise‑wide transformation strategy. In this pivotal role, you’ll act as a subject matter expert across the business, guiding senior stakeholders and leading by example in evidence‑based decision‑making. You’ll design and optimise decision models, foster a culture of technical excellence, and ensure continuous improvement through governance, coaching, and best practice. This is a unique opportunity to shape how data drives performance, sustainability, and innovation across Yorkshire Water.

Where you fit in:

As our Senior Data Scientist, you will:

• Define and deliver innovative Data Science solutions using data science, ML/AI, open data, and cloud technologies
• Represent the Data Team by owning and being accountable for Data & AI products as well as helping to steer the strategic direction of Data at YW
• Prioritise and deliver data solutions aligned to business needs using teams' ways‑of‑working
• Translate complex data into actionable insights that drive performance and transformation
• Lead technical excellence through governance, assurance and coaching across the team
• Actively supporting the professional development of data scientists
• Support the business and data science leadership by triaging and undertaking reactive tasks to reduce ODI pressure
• Communicate complex outputs clearly to non-technical stakeholders using visualisation tools and storytelling
• Develop and maintain advanced modelling skills in Python, R, SQL, and cloud platforms
• Align solutions with data strategy and wider transformation programmes
• Horizon scan and embed emerging technologies like AI, Digital Twins, and Open Data
• Represent Yorkshire Water in cross‑sector innovation and academic communities

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Degree in a numerate subject (e.g. Mathematics, Statistics)
• Proven experience in statistical analysis and data science, ideally within the water industry or similar sectors
• Strong programming skills in Python, R, and SQL
• Experience working with cloud platforms (e.g. Azure, AWS)
• Knowledge of data engineering, manipulation, and pipeline development
• Familiarity with technical assurance, QA, and model performance evaluation
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including with senior leadership
• High standards of integrity and ethics
• Microsoft Azure certifications or equivalent
• Experience in water, wastewater, utilities, or manufacturing sectors
• Understanding of asset management principles
• Experience with Agile delivery methodologies

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy!

Do we sound like your cup of tea?

If you’ve got experience in Data Science and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre‑employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third‑Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

The closing date for this role is the 17th June 2026.