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# Head of Data Science & AI

- **Company:** Co-op
- **Location:** Manchester, UK (Remote available)
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** £100,000.0 - £125,000.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Database, Machine Learning, Snowflake, AI Platforms, Databricks
- **Published:** October 29, 2026
- **Apply:** https://hcnq.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/job/1072681/apply/email?mode=location

## About the Role

* Significant experience leading high-performing data science, machine learning or AI teams in a large and complex organisation
 * A strong data science background, with the technical credibility to lead and support specialist teams
 * A track record of turning data science, machine learning or AI capabilities into measurable business outcomes
 * Experience influencing senior stakeholders and helping leaders understand how data and AI can solve business challenges
 * Experience with cloud-based data and AI platforms. While we work with Databricks at Co-op, we welcome candidates who bring experience from similar platforms such as Snowflake or Microsoft Azure.
 * A clear understanding of the ethical, security, governance and risk considerations involved in the use of AI
 * Excellent leadership, communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to inspire teams and bring people together around a shared vision

## Description

* Lead and evolve Co-op's Data Science and AI strategy, ensuring it aligns to our wider business goals
 * Work with senior leaders across the business to identify where data science and AI can deliver the greatest value
 * Shape and prioritise a pipeline of opportunities that improve colleague and member experiences and drive commercial outcomes
 * Lead, coach and develop a team of talented Data Scientists, creating an environment where people can thrive and do their best work
 * Build understanding and excitement around data science, AI and agents, helping colleagues and leaders understand what's possible
 * Oversee the delivery of data science and AI products, ensuring they are effective, scalable and aligned to business needs
 * Reinforce and uphold our governance, ethical standards and ways of working for the responsible use of AI as it scales
 * Work closely with our business facing Data Domain Leads, technology teams and business stakeholders to turn great ideas into measurable outcomes in production
 * Monitor and demonstrate the value delivered through data science and AI initiatives, ensuring investment is focused on the areas of greatest impact