Staff Data Scientist, Associate Director (Manchester)

Fitch Group is currently seeking a Staff Data Scientist, Associate Director based out of our Manchester office.
 
As a leading, global financial information services provider, Fitch Group delivers vital credit and risk insights, robust data, and dynamic tools to champion more efficient, transparent financial markets. With over 100 years of experience and colleagues in over 30 countries, Fitch Group’s culture of credibility, independence, and transparency is embedded throughout its structure, which includes Fitch Ratings, one of the world’s top three credit ratings agencies, and Fitch Solutions, a leading provider of insights, data and analytics. With dual headquarters in London and New York, Fitch Group is owned by Hearst. 
 
Fitch's Technology & Data Team is a dynamic department where innovation meets impact. Our team includes the Chief Data Office, Chief Software Office, Chief Technology Office, Emerging Technology, Shared Technology Services, Technology, Risk and the Executive Program Management Office (EPMO). Driven by our investment in cutting-edge technologies like AI and cloud solutions, we’re home to a diverse range of roles and backgrounds united by a shared passion for leveraging modern technology to drive projects that matter to our organization and clients. We are also proud to be recognized by Built In as a “Best Place to Work in Technology” 3 years in a row. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your career, we offer an exciting and supportive environment where you can grow, innovate, and make a difference. 
 
Want to learn more about a career in technology and data at Fitch? 
 
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About the Team

The AI Implementation Team is dedicated to building and supporting Generative AI, Machine Learning (ML), and Data Science solutions across the Fitch Ratings and Solutions organizations. Our objectives include developing and implementing enterprise-level AI and ML technology, tools, and capabilities in collaboration with business partners and product squads, as well as providing guidance for efficient and secure use of AI. 

How You’ll Make an Impact 

Drive Business Value through AI/ML Solutions: Collaborate with business partners and cross-functional teams to identify high-impact use cases for AI, LLMs, and traditional ML. Design and deliver models that solve evolving business problems and improve internal workflows. 

Deliver Data Science Insights: Conduct robust statistical analyses and exploratory modeling. Define and build well-structured, AI-ready datasets that support advanced analytics at scale. 

Bridge Business & Technical Priorities: Act as a connector across teams—translating strategic needs into technical solutions, partnering with product, engineering, and business teams to iterate quickly and deliver results. 

Own the End-to-End Model Lifecycle: Develop, fine-tune, evaluate, and deploy models in production environments. Monitor performance, gather feedback, and adapt solutions to meet changing requirements. 

Promote Reusability & Sound Engineering: Build and maintain production-quality code with strong documentation and testing practices. Emphasize modularity, maintainability, and object-oriented programming for scalable ML solutions. 

Communicate Effectively: Translate data science & ML concepts for technical and non-technical stakeholders, focusing on applicability to Fitch use cases 

You May Be a Good Fit if You Have 

6+ years of professional experience in data science or ML-focused roles 

Expertise in traditional ML (e.g. regression, classification, time series) and modern deep learning ML, LLMs, including fine-tuning, prompt engineering, and evaluation 

Hands-on experience working across the full ML lifecycle, from exploratory analysis, experimentation and modeling, to deployment, monitoring, and iteration 

Experience building and integrating AI solutions into existing workflows, leveraging and/or finetuning LLMs. (experience building agentic workflows strongly preferred) 

Familiarity with containerization tools like Docker, Kubernetes, AWS EKS, etc. 

Knowledge of popular cloud computing (AWS and Azure) infrastructure & services e.g., AWS Bedrock, SageMaker, S3; Azure AI Search, OpenAI, blob storage, etc. 

An adaptable mindset and strong problem-solving focus with a bias toward practical, business-first AI implementation 

Bachelor’s degree (master’s or PhD strongly preferred) in a quantitative or technical field 

What Would Make You Stand Out 

Strong software engineering skills, OOP principles, version control, and testing 

Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex modeling and data concepts to varied audiences, including business and technical stakeholders 

Experience supporting prototyping teams to enable seamless transition from prototype to development and deployment 

Experience mentoring other data scientists and fostering a culture of collaboration & learning 

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work proactively as a team player 

Proven ability to work effectively in a distributed team environment and efficiency in fast-paced settings 

Proven ability to collaborate with non-AI/ML teams to integrate AI solutions into broader workflows and projects. 

Familiarity with credit ratings agencies, regulations, and data products 

Why Choose Fitch 

A Culture of Learning & Mobility: Dedicated trainings, leadership development and mentorship programs designed to ensure that your time at Fitch will be a continuous learning opportunity
Investing in Your Future: Retirement planning and tuition reimbursement programs that empower you to achieve your short and long-term goals
Promoting Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive healthcare offerings that enable physical, mental, financial, social, and occupational wellbeing
Supportive Parenting Policies: Family-friendly policies, including a generous global parental leave plan, designed to help you balance career and family life effectively
Inclusive Work Environment: A collaborative workplace where all voices are valued, with Employee Resource Groups that unite and empower our colleagues around the globe
Dedication to Giving Back: Paid volunteer days, matched funding for donations and ample opportunities to volunteer in your community

Fitch is committed to providing global securities markets with objective, timely, independent and forward-looking credit opinions. To protect Fitch’s credibility and reputation, our employees must take every precaution to avoid conflicts of interest or any appearance of a conflict of interest. Should you be successful in the recruitment process at Fitch Ratings you will be asked to declare any securities holdings and other potential conflicts prior to commencing employment. If you, or your immediate family, have any holdings that may conflict with your work responsibilities, you may be asked to divest yourself of them before beginning work.

Fitch is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We evaluatequalified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and other statuses protected by law.