Lead Data Scientist

Lead Data Scientist

• Salary:
  London: £60,670 - £67,500 / National: £57,670 - £64,500.
• Contract Type:
  Permanent
• Working Pattern:
  This post is available on a full-time, part-time or job-share basis, and flexible working hours can be accommodated.
• Location:
  
  London. Any applicants who are already NISTA staff can also apply to be based from their existing locations in Birmingham (23 Stephenson Street), or Leeds (2 Whitehall Quay).

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to join a friendly and ambitious team who are always finding new ways to drive better use of data, right in the heart of central government?

The NISTA Data & Insight Team brings together data scientists, engineers, analysts and digital professionals who genuinely care about learning from each other, sharing ideas and making things happen. Together we turn rich, high-value project data into analysis, insights and tools that support people across government, from project delivery teams to senior leaders in HMT, the Cabinet Office and No10, to make decisions that shape how the UK delivers its biggest and most complex projects.

Working with the Government Major Projects Portfolio, the 10 year Infrastructure Pipeline and other project delivery data, your work will directly influence how major programmes are planned, delivered and improved.

Over the last two years, the team has undergone a significant transformation, digitising large-scale project data collection and overhauling our digital and data infrastructure. This enables us to create high-impact dashboards and analytics as well as drive the development of AI tools. It means we can develop and share quickly, resulting in rapid iterative development with our users. And we continue to evolve, improve our capability and develop our skills.

In this role, you'll be joining a supportive, inclusive and collaborative environment, where you can grow your skills, tackle meaningful challenges and make a real impact on the future of government delivery.

The Lead Data Scientist is a key management role within NISTA Data and Insight team. You will balance technical expertise with leadership and communication skills, to develop bespoke data science products to be used across NISTA, HM Treasury and the wider UK government. Working in close partnership with others in NISTA's Data and Insight management team, you will help shape the direction for how we use data, generate insight and develop AI enabled capabilities.

• Lead our Insight Workstream
  • Maintaining, developing and deploying a range of data science products (including Python Plotly Dash apps, Next.js apps and advanced analytical (ML and AI) tools) on our cloud-based technology stack (AWS)
  • Finding new opportunities to create value for the organisation and identifying emerging technologies to develop new products
  • Building and maintaining positive relationships with a range of partners, including colleagues across multiple departments, to embed user‑centric data science products
• Work to expand and develop our advanced analytical offering for Project Delivery Function, including building and embedding advanced AI tools across government
• Provide guidance to team members on best practices in coding, analysis, and usage of data, including use of Git for version control and Data Engineering principles
• Be an excellent line manager, with the ability to motivate people to deliver and perform at their best even in challenging circumstances
• Foster a culture of experimentation and learning, working with others in the management team to drive our Innovation workstream e.g. hackathons and innovation days
• Champion the role of data, digital and analysis in supporting organisational priorities and communicating data science outputs confidently to senior leaders and ministers

We are seeking people who: