Principal Data Scientist

Our Digital Lab develops and manages innovative data products and services in-house, while building strategic external partnerships that increase adoption of our digital assets to improve customer journeys and support the efficient operation of the Strategic Road Network.

As Principal Data Scientist, you will play a leading role in helping National Highways unlock the value of data. Working closely with customers and stakeholders, you will identify where data science can make the greatest impact, transforming complex data into compelling, evidence-based insights and actionable stories that enable better decision-making. You will also play a key role in shaping the data science strategy, working collaboratively with National Highways stakeholders to drive innovation and maximise the value of data across the organisation.

This is a hybrid role, requiring two days per week in the office, based at any National Highways office location.

• Work with National Highways, customers and stakeholders to understand where data science can add value
• Provide leadership and direction across a programme of multidisciplinary data science projects, managing resources to ensure delivery
• Source, access, manipulate and engineer data processes with data that typically have characteristics of volume, velocity and variety, or both
• Develop and apply technical and analytical standards from National Highways, government and industry
• Responsible for exploring and visualising the data to present the 'story' a meaningful way, and to a range of technical and non-technical audiences
• Evolving the array of data analysis tools and techniques across National Highways
• Propagate data science skills in other teams, understanding the variety of functional roles relating to data science and how they can be most effectively applied to solve business problems

• Strong knowledge of applied mathematics, statistics and scientific methods, with the ability to apply these to practical data science challenges and provide expert guidance to teams.
• Experienced in providing technical leadership in a similar role across transformation and delivery of data, working with Data Engineers to develop and optimise data feeds that meet the needs of customers and data consumers across the organisation.
• Demonstrated expertise in driving data science innovation by exploring emerging approaches across government and industry, identifying opportunities to deliver business value and improve organisational outcomes.
• Proven capability in building data science capability across the organisation, championing continuous learning, developing talent, and sharing knowledge of emerging techniques and best practice.
• Track record of delivering impactful data science products that are proportionate to business needs, translating complex analysis into clear insights and visualisations, while supporting teams to strengthen data science communication.
• Skilled in applying programming and build practices to develop, test, refine and document data science solutions
• Strong understanding of a range of data analysis techniques, with the ability to apply these to generate actionable insights, communicate compelling findings that influence wider decisions, and explore innovative approaches to solve complex problems.

Our benefits package

• Our total reward package includes basic salary, the potential for a performance related bonus
• Contributory pension scheme with employer contribution of up to 10%
• Annual Leave starting at 26 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising by 1 day each year up to 31 days (plus Bank Holidays)
• Flexible hours and an approach driven by connected and sustainable working which includes hybrid working
• Life assurance of 4 times annual salary
• Health and wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7 365 days and network of mental health first aiders. Plus access to a wellbeing app to enhance your self-care 24/7, Occupational health service and flu vaccines
• A cycle to work scheme for the purchase of a bicycle and equipment for healthy, low carbon travel
• Significant investment in your career development, through learning and development, talent management, coaching, mentoring and on job experience

And we are

• Family friendly with enhanced maternity leave and pay, paternity leave (15 days), shared parental leave, adoption leave. Plus access to financial support for holiday play schemes and paid special leave (up to 5 days pa), eg for caring responsibilities
• Money friendly with access to a discounts platform including over 3000 discounts for supermarkets, eating out, leisure, holidays. Alongside a financial wellbeing programme
• Community friendly - offering paid leave to volunteer, 3 days basic/year

If you are successful, it is key to know all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory completion of our pre-employment checks which include:

• Right to work check
• 3 year employment history references
• DBS criminal record check
• Social media and adverse journalism check
• Driving licence check (if applicable)
• Fit to work questionnaire (for all), followed by a medical check (if applicable)
• Qualifications and/or professional membership check (if applicable)

And finally

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A key focus of this campaign is creating new opportunities. As a result, we are recruiting a Lead Date Scientist to play a leading role in shaping the future of digital services across National Highways., Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England's motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership. The Digital Services Directorate is helping to reshape the way National Highways operates by delivering digital, data, and technology services across all areas, from frontline to back office, in a modern and efficient manner. Our vision is to develop integrated information and technology that empowers our colleagues and provides real-time information to our customers, as well as integrating with intelligent vehicle and transport systems as they evolve, to enhance journey safety and reliability. External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. About Us Why you should join us At National Highways we believe in a connected country. We are passionate about creating a culture where colleagues feel connected, included and enjoy greater wellbeing to achieve this. We're proud that as an organisation we are continually striving to do better and actively encourage and support our colleagues to do the same with their careers. So, if you put safety first, take ownership of your work, show passion for what you do, work effectively in a team, and demonstrate integrity in how you do it - then you'll be a great fit for our organisation. A connected and sustainable working approach has been adopted across National Highways. For some roles, this means being able to work in a hybrid way spending up to 60% of time working from a remote location such as home. Please wait until the interview stage before asking us about flexibility, and we will explore what is possible.