Data Science Manager

Job Title: Data Science Manager

Location: Bexhill/Leicester/London – Hybrid

Welcome to Hastings Direct

We’re a digital insurance provider with ambitious plans to become the best and biggest in the UK market. We’ve made huge investments in our pricing and data capabilities over the past few years, along with nurturing our 4Cs culture.

We provide insurance for over four million customers, but we know there’s even bigger opportunity out there - our Pricing, Data and Analytics community value curiosity, collaboration and constructive challenge.

We are always looking for new ideas and diverse perspectives to question established thinking and drive meaningful change. Great pricing is built on trust, innovation and precision, so our aim is to ensure customers receive a fair and accurate price based on their individual risk, supporting fair outcomes, while delivering sustainable and profitable growth for our company.

Pricing is more than just a number - it’s a strategic capability. At the heart of Hastings is deep risk insight - continually improving how we assess, segment and price risk through data and analytics.

The Role

It’s a very exciting time for us; we’re transforming our business to become a truly data‑led, digital first insurer, and we’re looking for an Data Scientists to join us on our journey.

The Senior Data Scientist will play a vital role in the evolution of cutting‑edge data assets and predictive models that feed into Hastings’ market‑leading pricing activities.

This will be a prominent role where the results of your contributions will be measurably felt in the performance of the business. We are looking for someone with an appetite for initiative, a curiosity for data exploration, and a desire to champion the latest machine learning (ML) techniques for creating production grade models.

Accountabilities
Your remit will include the following:

• 
  
• 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 KPIs.
  
• Engineer powerful new rating factors to be deployed into our rating algorithms.
  
• Identify, analyse and monetise new data sources.
  

What we are looking for
Essential

• 
  
• Experience building predictive models in a commercial environment.
  
• Keen interest in emerging ML techniques and their commercial value.
  
• Proficiency in Python and SQL.
  
• Strong communication skills.
  
• Ability to work cross‑functionally with Data Engineers, Data Scientists, Actuaries and Pricing Analysts.
  

Desirable

• 
  
• Experience using cloud‑based ML technologies.
  
• Proficiency in R.
  
• GitHub as a code collaboration tool.
  

Personal Attributes

• 
  
• Natural problem solver who loves building quality solutions to complex real‑world challenges.
  
• Ability to work independently to deliver solutions to a well‑defined set of requirements.
  
• Dynamic, flexible and delivery‑focused work ethic required to adapt to a fast‑paced environment.
  

Interview Process

• 
  
• Recruiter screening call
  
• 1st Round – Intro call with Hiring manager
  
• 2nd Round – Case study round
  

What we will give you

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. Not to mention plenty of recognition and rewards, and the scope to voice your ideas and put them into practice.

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 career’s website.

Benefits
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 pays for you to receive private medical insurance (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 ….

Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. Please also note that we have a thorough referencing process, which includes credit and criminal record checks.

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.