Lead Data Scientist

Job title: Lead Data Scientist

Location: London / Leicester / Bexhill

Welcome to Hastings Direct

We’re a digital insurance provider with a clear strategy to become the best and biggest player in the UK market. As a company, we’ve made huge investments in our technology, pricing, data and analytics capabilities over the past few years, along with nurturing our 4Cs culture and substantial investment in our people. And as a Finance team, we're doing exactly the same – building a market leading finance technology platform, investing in our team and our approach to leadership development, with a real focus on commercially adding value to the business. 

The fact you’re now reading this job advert means we’ve tempted you to find out more about #lifeatHD. If you like what you see, we hope you'll consider joining our team.  

We have high standards and understand some people may not apply for jobs unless they feel they tick every box. If you’re excited about joining us and think you have some of what we are looking for, even if you’re not 100% sure, we would love to hear from you.

Role overview  

The Lead Data Scientist will lead and oversee projects which deliver cutting-edge data assets and predictive models that feed into Hastings’ market-leading pricing activities.

This role is within a combined team of Actuaries and Data Scientists championing the adoption of the latest machine learning (ML) techniques to leverage powerful insights from vast amounts of customer information and augment traditional modelling techniques.

The Lead Data Scientist will combine their knowledge and understanding of data science concepts along with Hastings’ domain knowledge and processes to develop advanced solutions to help Hastings become the top digital insurer in the UK.

They would Lead a small team of data scientists, who would assist them in the creation of data science solutions and would requiring mentoring and support in their development.

Job details

• Taking the technical lead in projects that create and maintain analytical tools to support in the management of our risk portfolio

• Develop best in-class models to predict claims outcomes, fraud, and other risk key performance indicators

• Engineer powerful new features to be deployed into our rating algorithms or other internal algorithms

• Build reusable, maintainable, automatable, and innovative processes, and data and/or model pipelines

• Manage and mentor junior Actuaries and Data Scientists

• Support Senior Leaders in the delivery of strategic objectives

Essential skills/experience:

• Strong technical modelling skills

• Proven track record of delivering commercial value

• Keen interest in emerging ML techniques and how these can be used within Underwriting & Pricing

• Strong experience using Python and ML libraries to build data science/machine learning products

• Strong senior stakeholder management and communication skills

• Ability to work cross-functionally with Data Engineers, Data Scientists, Actuaries and Pricing Analysts

Desirable

• Experience working cross-functionally with Data Engineers, Data Scientists, Actuaries and Risk Pricing Analysts

• Experience with using GitHub as a code collaboration tool as well as a product version control too

Personal Attributes

• Natural problem solver who loves building quality solutions to complex real-world challenges

• Focuses on the bigger picture but not afraid to get into the detail when necessary

• Dynamic, flexible, and delivery-focussed work ethic required to adapt to a fastpaced environment

• Takes ownership and accountability for key projects and workstream

The interview process:

Our interview process involves the below: 

• Recruiter screening call 

• 1st stage interview – Initial Intro with hiring leader

• 2nd interview (Technical) will include panel

• 3rd Short call with Hiring Leader

As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are fully inclusive – what this means to you is if you’re applying for a job with us, you’ll have fair access to support and adjustments throughout your recruitment journey. We also welcome applications through the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS).For more information on the DCS, please visit our inclusive business page on our careers website

Benefits: in addition to a competitive salary and £5k car allowance you will also receive…

Flexible working – we champion a flexible hybrid working approach – please speak to your recruiter to discuss in more detail

Competitive bonus scheme - all colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus

Physical wellbeing – as a Band 4 colleague, Hastings pay for you to receive private medical Insurance (also known as PMI). This gives you flexibility and convenience to see a specialist or consultant and allows you to decide when and where you will be seen

Financial wellbeing – as well as providing you with 4x your salary with our life assurance cover, income protection at no extra cost, and matched pension contributions up to 10%, we are proud to provide you with an award winning package which includes – discounts, cashback, free independent mortgage advice and free access to financial wellbeing support

Mental wellbeing programme – we have the thrive mental health app, our colleague assistance programme available 24/7, our own in-house mental health first aiders, support groups and a dedicated team to make sure we are covering your needs

There's more! – 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell one of your  weeks, access to our health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, Cycle to work and tech schemes, discounted and free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year and much more ….

Join us and you’ll find a different way of doing things. We call it the 4Cs. We focus on getting it right for our colleagues, customers, company and community. As one of our colleagues, you’ll be helping to drive our growth, so in return, we’ll give you all the support, training and development you need. Our 4Cs principles are simple: we believe by creating the right culture for our colleagues and giving them the right tools to do their job, we’ll deliver good outcomes for every customer, helping us to grow the company profitably and sustainably and allowing us to invest in the communities we serve.

At Hastings Direct, we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we encourage you to be open with us. Our recruitment team is here to provide the support you need to ensure a fair and accessible experience for all.

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