Senior Data Scientist | Digital Services

Overview

Job Description Salary £55,612 - £60,147 per annum | Permanent, Full time 37 hours per week | Preston. International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship.

Are you ready to lead advanced data science projects and mentor a talented team? Lancashire County Council is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to deliver impactful solutions that support service improvement and innovation. You will design and implement complex analytical models, drive the adoption of modern technologies, and foster professional growth within the team. You will work on a range of use cases, including improving outcomes in Adult and Children’s Social Care, developing automation solutions to enhance service efficiency, and building forecasting models to support strategic decision-making.

• Leading the design and delivery of advanced data science solutions
• Mentoring and supporting Data Scientists and Data Analysts
• Translating strategic objectives into actionable projects
• Engaging with stakeholders to deliver data-driven solutions
• Promoting best practice in data governance, ethics, and security

• Honours degree or equivalent experience in computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, or a related field
• Relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in data science, analytics, or machine learning
• Significant experience in a senior leadership role within data science or analytics
• Strong technical expertise in advanced analytics, machine learning, and cloud platforms
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Closing Date: 15/02/2026

By joining Lancashire County Council, you can shape the career path that is right for you, with opportunities to gain personal and professional qualifications, coaching, and mentoring. Lancashire County Council truly is the place where you can have the career you've always wanted.

In return for your passion and expertise, we offer a generous benefits package, which includes:

• A competitive salary and Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.
• A great holiday entitlement of 26 days annual leave, which increases with length of service. You will also be entitled to 8 Bank Holidays, 2 additional statutory Bank Holidays, and have the option to buy additional leave each year.
• Our staff discount scheme in partnership with Vivup, allowing you to access discounts with a range of UK retailers, saving on everything from weekly food shops to white goods and cars.
• Access to fantastic development and career opportunities.

Please ensure you upload a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the criteria for the role.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.