Director Data Science

We seek a Data Technologist and Strategist to architect and steer the next phase of our client’s data ecosystem evolution. This is a senior, hybrid role—combining deep, hands-on architectural design within Data teams, with strategic influence across the C-Suite and broader Technology organisation.

You will be a highly experienced technical leader, responsible for driving innovation and engineering excellence through data solutions across both the Data team and the broader Engineering organisation.

This role demands:

• Deep expertise in Data Technology, including modern data platforms, architectures, and governance
• Strategic vision-setting, shaping long-term direction and alignment with organisational goals
• Hands-on experience with Machine Learning and Generative AI, applying these technologies to real-world business challenges

The Opportunity:

One of our long-term clients is looking to elevate and challenge our existing Data Strategy, with a key focus on delivering against four foundational pillars:

• Real-time data streaming to enable Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) and advance event-driven modeling approaches
• ELT & Lakehouse practices to engineer scalable Data Products that democratise access and unlock business value
• Data Management excellence, embedding robust practices such as Data Registration, Lineage, and Ontology to improve governance and mitigate risk
• Tooling optimisation, ensuring alignment with modern data skillsets and reducing reliance on niche, hard-to-resource technologies

What you need:

• Recognised industry expert in Data Technology, including Machine Learning and Generative AI, with a strong grasp of emerging trends and their strategic application to drive business value.
• Strategic leader, capable of co-authoring and executing a compelling data strategy in close partnership with Product, grounded in real-world architecture and business impact.
• Deep technical expertise in Streaming Data, Event-Driven Architectures, and modern Data Lakehouse patterns—encompassing Data Products, ELT pipelines, Distributed Processing, Snowflake, and Data Governance. Proficient in Python, Spark, Java, and AWS Cloud (e.g. Serverless, DynamoDB).
• Fluent in modern software engineering principles, patterns, and practices, with the ability to embed and scale robust methodologies that drive quality, consistency, and velocity across teams.
• Exceptional communicator, adept at aligning cross-functional teams—Tech, Product, Architecture—at all levels of the organisation, from senior executives to delivery teams, both within the UK and globally.
• A cultural transformation driver, shaping modern Data Technology's adoption and advancing a data-first mindset across large-scale, cross-functional organisations.