Head of Data Science

The Company is seeking a Head of Data Science to build and lead its data science function, shaping strategy across risk assessment, affordability, and lending decisioning. Responsibilities include designing, developing, and deploying machine learning models using credit risk, customer, and financial data, and partnering with cross-functional teams to deliver measurable business outcomes. The role also sets best practices for AI governance, model deployment, monitoring, and performance reporting. The successful candidate will contribute to business and customer outcomes while balancing commercial priorities with effective risk management. Candidates should bring strong commercial experience in credit risk modelling within UK consumer lending, alongside hands-on expertise in machine learning, Python, and SQL. Experience deploying production-ready models in cloud and MLOps environments is required, as is knowledge of financial data and affordability assessment. Exposure to large language models, agentic AI, or AI-powered decisioning is desirable. Strong communication skills are essential for explaining technical concepts to varied stakeholders.