Principal Data Scientist

Role OVO-View

Team: Software Engineering

Location: Hub Based - Hybrid for all

Salary banding: 116500 - 154588

Experience: Expert

Working pattern: Full-Time

Reporting to: Director Data & AI

Sponsorship: Unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

This role in 3 words: Ownership Innovative Impactful

Top 3 qualities for this role: Communication Leadership Drive

Where youll work:

Depending on the needs of your business area we expect hub based people to be in the office at least once a week and to go to OVO Connection events in-person.

Youll be assigned to the closest one of our three hub offices Bristol Glasgow or London; unless your role requires field-based work. Each hub has accessible spaces to park your laptop is designed to inspire people help them connect and bring big ideas to life.

Everyone belongs at OVO:

At OVO we are on a mission to solve one of humanitys biggest challenges the climate crisis. And we know it takes all of us to change the world. Thats why we need diverse people from all abilities gender identities ethnicities ages sexual orientations life experiences and backgrounds to join us.

Teamworking for the planet:

Everything we do here spins around Plan Zero. So naturally the team youll be joining plays a gigantic role in making that happen. Heres how:

You will be joining one of our Core AI teams tackling issues central to OVOs business and customer experience. We are building out new tools to support our back-office teams resolve customer bill issues more easily and our attempts we will be trialling the use of new AI capabilities to transform how our business operates and meets customer demands.

This role in a nutshell:

As a Principal Data Scientist youll play a key strategic role in shaping the future of our data science practice. Youll lead innovative high-impact projects define our technical direction and champion best practices across the organisation. Working closely with cross-functional teams youll drive forward research and experimentation to keep OVO at the forefront of data science ensuring our work is not only cutting-edge but also aligned with our mission to build a more sustainable future.

Your key outcomes will be:

• Technical Leadership and Vision: Shape and communicate the technical direction of OVOs data science function guiding the team through expert mentorship and driving the adoption of modern tools technologies and approaches to elevate our capabilities.
  
  
• Leading Cutting-Edge Initiatives: Drive high-impact data science projects that solve complex business challenges and align with OVOs strategic goals. Champion innovation and deliver scalable forward-thinking solutions.
  
  
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with engineering product and business teams to embed data science into products and decisions. Communicate insights clearly to diverse audiences and build trusted partnerships across the organisation.
  
  
• Defining Technical Strategy: Develop a strategic roadmap for data science informed by emerging trends and evolving business needs. Identify areas for innovation and lead the continuous evolution of our data science practice.
  
  
• Driving Research Initiatives: Lead research into advanced techniques and applications publishing findings and representing OVO at industry events. Grow a culture of experimentation and learning within the team.
  
  
• Ensuring Best Practices: Establish standards for model development validation and deployment while ensuring data quality compliance and security. Promote scalable reliable infrastructure and ethical data use.
  
  
• Community of Practice: Lead and grow the data science Community of Practice sharing knowledge mentoring peers and contributing to learning pathways that support development and career growth across the team.

Youll be a successful Principal Data Scientist at OVO if you

• Proven ability to lead complex high-impact data science initiatives that drive strategic outcomes
• Deep expertise in advanced machine learning statistical methods and algorithm development
• Proficient in Python or R and advanced SQL with strong research and analytical skills
• Demonstrated experience evaluating and applying emerging tools technologies and methodologies
• Skilled in defining and executing data science strategies aligned with business objectives
• Strong communicator able to clearly explain technical concepts to diverse technical and non-technical audiences
• Effective collaborator with cross-functional teams building trusted relationships across the organisation
• Recognised for technical leadership mentorship and fostering a culture of continuous innovation
• Committed to best practices in data science ensuring quality compliance and scalable infrastructure

Lets talk about whats in it for you:

We keep our pay ranges broad on purpose to give us and you flexibility to match your experience to our zero carbon mission.

Youll be eligible for an on-target bonus of 15%. We have one OVO bonus plan that focuses on the collective performance of our people to deliver our Plan Zero goal.

We also offer plenty of green benefits and progressive policies to help you feel like you belong at OVOand theres flex pay. Well give you 9% Flex Pay on top of your salary 4% of this is auto enrolled into your pension and the remaining 5% is yours to do what you like with. You can use this to buy from our extensive range of flexible benefits including our green benefits which weve put at the heart of our offering add to your pension or even take it as cash.

Heres a taster of whats on offer:

For starters youll get 34 days of holiday (including bank holidays).

For your health
With benefits like a healthcare cash plan or private medical insurance depending on your career level critical illness cover life assurance health assessments and more

For your wellbeing
With gym membership travel insurance workplace ISA will writing services dental insurance and more

For your lifestyle
With extra holiday buying discount dining home & tech loans and supporting your favourite charities with give-as-you-earn donations

For your home
Get up to 400 towards any OVO Energy plan plus great discounts on solar smart thermostats and EV chargers

For your commute
Nab a great deal on ultra-low emission car leasing plus our cycle to work scheme and public transport season ticket loans

Want to hear about our full range of flexible benefits and progressive people policies Our People Team can tell you everything you need to know.

For your Belonging

To find better ways to support our people we need to listen to each others experiences and find ways to build a truly inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of this we have 8 Belonging Networks at OVO. Led by our people for our people - so when you join OVO you can play a part - big or small - with any of the Networks. Its up to you.

Oh and one last thing...

Wed be thrilled if you tick off all our boxes yet we also believe its just as important we tick off all of yours. And if you think you have most of what were looking for but not every single thing go ahead and hit apply. Wed still love to hear from you!

If you have any additional requirements theres a space to let us know on the application form; we want to make the process as easy and comfortable for you as possible.

Required Experience:

Staff IC