Lead Data Scientist

Job description

Job Title:Lead Data Scientist

Salary: 59877 -66869 (plus allowance up to 9000 per annum depending on technical assessment)

Location:Birmingham Liverpool Newport Norwich

Contract Type:Permanent

Hours: Full time Compressed hours

Closing Date:08/03/2026

Interview Date(s): W/C 23th March (subject to change)

From the 1st April we will no longer be trading as Crown Commercial Service and will be trading as Government Commercial Agency. Please visit our website for further details.

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Job Summary

The Lead Data Scientist role is in the AI Impact and Assurance team reporting to the Head of AI Impact and Assurance. This team leads the exploration and implementation of exciting data science techniques at CCS including machine learning and artificial intelligence. The role is at the forefront of identifying assessing and implementing cutting-edge data science collaborating across the organisation to optimise customer journeys predict market trends and automate internal workflows.

Key Accountabilities:

• Technical Project Leadership: Lead the technical delivery of complex data science projects encompassing data analysis model development and presenting clear outputs to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Advanced Analytical Deployment: Deploy advanced analytical techniques including machine learning with a specific emphasis on Large Language Models (LLMs) and other Generative AI models exploring novel datasets to drive insight and improve decision-making at CCS.

• Customer Journey Improvement: Contribute to improving CCSs understanding of customer journeys using unstructured data and developing sophisticated predictive algorithms.

• Code Production and Quality: Produce high-quality production code in Python (other languages such as R or SQL might be used as needed).

• Development Best Practices: Promote best development practices including regular code reviews to other team members and identifying opportunities for standardisation and process improvement.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work collaboratively with key stakeholders across CCS broader multi-disciplinary teams (including a mix of delivery partners internal colleagues and colleagues from across government) to identify where data science and AI can strategically support the organisation and the government commercial agenda more widely.

• Platform Partner Capabilities: Review and understand product capabilities from native AI within existing platform partners and proactively identify opportunities to exploit these tools effectively navigating inherent ambiguities and dependencies.

• Data Science Capability Champion: Champion building out the data science capability across the department supporting analysts thinking about how we can embed data science across all areas of the business and supporting CCS goals to be using data in innovative ways

Essential Criteria (to be assessed at application stage):

• A degree in data science OR a quantitative subject with professional training and experience in data science.

• Can demonstrate an in-depth understanding of a wide range of data science techniques such as machine learning and natural language processing with detailed knowledge of at least one specialism.

• Significant experience with Large Language Models (LLMs) and other Generative AI models including understanding their capabilities limitations and practical application.

• Significant experience delivering data science projects as part of a team and experience of shaping and leading analytical projects.

• Substantial ability and experience of coding in Python and/or R.

• Proven experience collaborating effectively as part of broader multi-disciplinary teams including working with delivery partners internal colleagues and cross-government teams.

Success Profiles (to be assessed at interview):

Behaviours

• Delivering at Pace

• Communicating and influencing

• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills: (As part of the selection process candidates will be required to complete a technical test. To access and complete this test you must have an active Google profile. Please ensure you have a google account ready for the scheduled assessment if you do not please see the link for guidance) : maths statistics and scientific practices

(A link to the Civil Service Success Profiles Framework is provided below)

Success Profiles Framework

What we will offer you here are some of the benefits you can expect:

• Competitive salary

• Generous pension scheme

• A discretionary non-contractual performance related bonus

• Working remotely in addition to working in advertised office location

• Flexi time scheme (available for B1-B6) - Remove this bullet for SCS roles

• Minimum 25 days annual leave to a maximum service related 30 days excluding bank holidays

Explore fully how we will reward your work.

Want to make a difference Find out more about the rewarding work that we do in our candidate pack.

The Civil Service is committed to attract retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

We want to make our recruitment process accessible to everyone so if there is any way that we can support you please contact

Working flexibly delivering outcomes

CCS is a flexible business with a smarter working model where our colleagues benefit from a mix of home and office working. Successful candidates are expected to work from one of the office locations listed. Our current office attendance approach requires a minimum of 26 days per quarter (approx 2 days per week which may be subject to change) in CCS office locations or off site meetings with suppliers customers partners networking / industry events. This is pro rata for those who work part time. Our smarter working principles mean that our people have the advantage of both office and offsite based collaboration and learning as well as working from home. This way of working allows us to honour our commitment to being a responsible business offer flexibility and better work life balance as well as ensuring we deliver our business with confidence and in accordance with our CCS values.

CCS operates a smarter working model that balances flexibility with meaningful collaboration. Successful candidates will spend at least 26 days per quarter (approximately 2 days per week pro-rata) working from either their contracted office another CCS site or off-site for meetings and events. For the remainder of the time you have the flexibility to work from home or another suitable location that meets the needs of your role and the businessan approach designed to support your work-life balance while fostering team connection

CCS operates a smarter working model that balances flexibility with collaboration. Successful candidates are expected to spend at least 26 days per quarter (approximately 2 days per week pro-rata) at their contracted office another CCS site or off-site for meetings. For the remainder of the time you may work from home or another suitable location that meets business needs.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application however all examples and statements provided must be truthful factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others or generated by artificial intelligence as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection Process

As part of the selection process candidates will be required to complete a technical test. To access and complete this test you must have an active Google profile. Please ensure you have a google account ready for the scheduled assessment if you do not please see the link for guidance) : reserve list may be held for up to 12 months which the Civil Service may use to fill future suitably similar vacancies across government for candidates who are considered appointable following interview. Should you be placed on a reserve list and want to be removed please contact .

Please note that as part of this recruitment process if you are unsuccessful at the interview stage but are close to the benchmark score you may be considered for and offered a role at a lower pay band within the same job family.

Complaints procedure

Our recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles details of which can be found at

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint you should contact in the first instance.

If you remain unsatisfied with the response you receive you can then contact the Civil Service Commission at

#CCS26

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

Complaints Procedure

Our recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissions Recruitment Principles details of which can be found at you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint you should contact in the first instance.

If you remain unsatisfied with the response you receive you can then contact the Civil Service Commission at

Internal candidates should apply using their Workday account. Please use the careers hub for your application.