Senior Data Scientist — Code Modules Leader

Statistics New Zealand; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Sick leave

KiwiSaver

Study assistance

Staff social clubs

Job summary

Stats NZ in Wellington is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to shape the future of code modules within our data ecosystem. You will lead design, development and governance of reusable modules, ensuring trust, quality and scalability in NZ's official statistics work.

You will mentor colleagues, drive automation, and influence tooling standards as the capability moves toward new analytic platforms, including Databricks, across a national data landscape.

Qualifications

• Extensive senior experience in data science, statistical analysis, advanced analytics, ML, or research leadership.
• Experience creating reusable, well-documented code and analytical assets in integrated data environments.
• Strong database analytics and statistical programming skills, particularly SQL and R.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and develop capability across teams or organisations.
• Excellent communication with technical experts, researchers, policy stakeholders, and partners.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its relevance to the public service.
• Knowledge of cloud-based analytics environments would be advantageous.
• Postgraduate qualifications highly regarded for leadership roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and upgrading of code modules within the IDI/LBD environments.
• Improve automation, quality assurance practices, and tooling standards.
• Establish sustainable stewardship arrangements across the module library.
• Coach, mentor and develop capability across Stats NZ and partner organisations.

Skills

Data science leadership

Statistical analysis

Advanced analytics

Machine learning

Research leadership

Education

Tertiary qualification in Data Science or related field

Postgraduate qualifications highly regarded

Tools

SQL

R

Databricks

Job description

Stats NZ in Wellington is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to shape the future of code modules within our data ecosystem. You will lead design, development and governance of reusable modules, ensuring trust, quality and scalability in NZ's official statistics work.

You will mentor colleagues, drive automation, and influence tooling standards as the capability moves toward new analytic platforms, including Databricks, across a national data landscape.