▷ (Urgent Search) Head of Data Science

Job title Head of Data Science Ref 40733 DivisionDigital Transformation Location Reading - Clearwater Court - RG18DB Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time SalaryOffering up to £115,000 per annum depending on experience plus carallowance and bonus Job grade C Closing date 20/05/2025 At ThamesWater, we make a daily difference to our 16 million customers bysupplying 2.6 billion litres of water through 32,000 km of pipes,keeping taps flowing and toilets flushing. We deliver life'sessential services so our customers, communities, and theenvironment can thrive. As the UK’s largest water company, we aretaking action for a new world of water - fixing the problems oftoday and building resilience for tomorrow. We are seeking a Headof Data Science to establish, lead and grow our Data Sciencepractice, including the Centre of Excellence (CoE) and oversee thedeployment of machine learning, predictive analytics, anddata-driven decision-making across the business. In this pivotalrole, you will provide strategic leadership to your team and otherteams in a hub-and-spoke model, ensuring that embedded datascientists within business units are aligned with centralised bestpractices and frameworks. What you’ll be doing as Head of DataScience Strategic Leadership - Define and drive the data sciencestrategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives andoperational excellence. Establish the Data Science Centre ofExcellence (CoE) to standardise methodologies and fostercollaboration across business units. - Oversee the design,development, and deployment of machine learning and AI models,ensuring scalability and real-world applicability in areas likepredictive maintenance, leakage detection, and customer analytics.Team Leadership & Hub-and-Spoke Model - Lead the core datascience team and provide oversight to embedded data scientistsacross departments, ensuring adherence to best practices,standardisation, and quality control. - Stay at the forefront of AIand advanced analytics trends, evaluating emerging technologies fortheir applicability to Thames Water. Foster a culture of continuousimprovement and knowledge sharing. - Identify opportunities togenerate revenue from data assets and insights while promoting opendata initiatives that encourage transparency and sector-widecollaboration. Stakeholder Engagement & Communication -Collaborate with senior leaders to influence strategicdecision-making with data-driven insights. Translate complex dataconcepts into actionable business strategies. Data Governance &Ethics - Ensure compliance with GDPR, Ofwat regulations, andethical AI frameworks while proactively establishing anorganisational approach to responsible AI, bias mitigation, andexplainability. Capability Building & Upskilling - Developtraining and mentorship programmes to enhance the analytical skillsof both technical and non-technical teams, embedding a data-drivenculture throughout the business. - Full Time - 36 hours per week. -This is a hybrid role with an expectation to be in the office atleast 1-2 times a week or ad-hoc as and when required. What youshould bring to the role - Data Science & AI Leadership –Proven experience in leading data science teams, ideally in autility, engineering, or infrastructure-heavy environment. -Hub-and-Spoke Model Experience – Experience managing bothcentralised and embedded data science teams in a hub-and-spokemodel, ensuring cross-functional collaboration and knowledgesharing. - Strategic Influence – Experience shaping and deliveringstrategic AI and analytics initiatives that drive measurablebusiness impact. - Cross-functional Collaboration – Ability to workeffectively with engineering, operations, IT, and customer teams todeliver value-driven analytics solutions. - Open Data & DataMonetisation - Proven experience in developing data-drivenmonetisation strategies while advocating for open data transparencyto drive industry collaboration. - Significant experience in datascience, machine learning, and analytics, with a proven trackrecord of technical leadership, strategic influence, and businessimpact. Essential Technical Skills & Qualifications - AdvancedAnalytics & ML Deployment – Expertise in Python, R, or similar,with strong proficiency in cloud-based AI/ML services (Azure ML,Databricks, etc.). - Big Data & Cloud Platforms – Strongunderstanding of data architecture, cloud solutions, and real-timeanalytics. - Statistical & Predictive Modelling – Deepknowledge of statistical methods, machine learning algorithms, andAI techniques relevant to large-scale operational environments. -Data Visualisation & BI – Ability to convey insights throughtools like Power BI, SAP Analytics Cloud, or similar. - DataGovernance & Compliance – Familiarity with GDPR, ethical AIframeworks, and regulatory constraints in the utility sector.What’s in it for you? - Competitive salary up to £115,000 perannum, depending on experience. - 26 days holiday per year,increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays) -Annual Bonus. - Generous Pension Scheme through AON. - PrivateMedical Health Care. - Access to lots of benefits to help you takecare of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and yourfinances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy andcounselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and lifeassurance. We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company,with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day tosupply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a betterfuture for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and theplanet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, sowe need help from passionate and skilled people, committed tomaking a difference and getting us to where we want to be in theyears and decades to come. Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, anddiverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference,yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoyfast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangementsand excellent benefits. Whether you’re interested in a role in oneof our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people likeyou with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career whereyou can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives whilehelping to protect the world's water for future generations, we’llbe here to support you every step of the way. Together, we canbuild a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join theThames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more. Our overarching aimis to ensure that Thames Water is ga reat, diverse, and inclusiveplace to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offerextra support for those who need it throughout the recruitmentprocess . We aim to remove any real or perceived barriers tosuccess, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support. When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support ourcustomers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity tosign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador.Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incrediblyrewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn moreabout our business and meet colleagues. Disclaimer: Due to the highvolume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlierthan the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon aspossible to avoid disappointment. #J-18808-Ljbffr