Head of Data Science

Head of Data Science UK Regulatory Body London - Hybrid (2 days per week in the office) £70,000-£77,000 (depending on experience)

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking leader in data science and analysis to head up a growing specialist team within a respected UK regulatory body. This is a pivotal role at the interface of data, regulation, and risk. You will be responsible for guiding a team of highly capable early-career data scientists and analysts, ensuring their work delivers real impact in regulatory decision-making and wider risk assessment. The role requires a leader who can balance academic rigour with practical application, setting the standard for what is possible with data science in a regulatory environment, while also being clear about its limitations. You will help formalise the organisation's approach to data science and analysis, shape its technical infrastructure, and ensure outputs are robust, defensible, and strategically aligned. As the organisation invests further in its Risk and Data Programme, you will lead efforts to embed advanced data-driven methods across risk assessment, research, and enforcement functions. This will include developing approaches to analysing subtle behavioural patterns, highlighting diversity and outcomes across the sector, and detecting threats such as anti-money laundering. This is an opportunity to shape how data science supports front-line regulation, moving beyond research and experimentation into mainstream decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Strategy
• Lead, develop, and inspire a growing team of 7-8 data scientists and analysts, combining academic expertise with applied regulatory impact.
• Manage and prioritise a busy pipeline of analytical work, ensuring strategic alignment and clarity about what can, and cannot, be derived from analysis.
• Partner with the Director on establishing clear backlogs, pipelines, and strategies for the team, working across risk assessment, data science, and research functions.
• Champion a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and continuous improvement.
• Technical Excellence & Delivery
• Oversee the use of advanced statistical modelling, AI, and machine learning methods (including NLP and LLMs) to deliver high-quality insights.
• Ensure outputs are defensible, high-quality, and accessible to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Drive the transition from R&D into operationalised, always-running models that directly support regulatory interventions.
• Regulatory Impact
• Apply data science to real-world regulatory challenges: analysing practices, identifying behaviours that correlate with poor outcomes, and detecting risks.
• Support advisory and enforcement teams with robust evidence and insight.
• Enhance the organisation's ability to detect threats, assess risk, and identify trends in the sector.
• Contribute to cross-organisational insight functions, maximising the impact of data and research.
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Build strong internal and external relationships, representing the organisation's data science work at a senior level.
• Produce clear, persuasive reports and recommendations for governance groups and stakeholders.
• Act as a thought leader for data-driven regulation, setting high standards and sharing best practice across the sector.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong academic credentials (degree or equivalent experience) in statistics, data science, quantitative social science, physics, or other relevant discipline.
• Proven experience managing a pipeline of analytical work and aligning outputs with organisational priorities.
• Expertise in AI/ML techniques, including predictive modelling, NLP, and large language models.
• Proficiency in Python, R, and relevant libraries for data analysis and modelling.
• Demonstrated ability to balance rigour with practical application, clearly articulating both insights and limitations of data science.
• Experience leading high-performing technical teams, ideally in regulatory, risk, or research environments.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex findings to non-technical audiences.

Desirable

• Experience of project or programme management.
• Knowledge of regulatory or legal services sectors.
• Practical knowledge of SQL, VBA, or similar tools.

Benefits

• Salary: £70,000-£77,000 (based on experience)
• Permanent contract with hybrid working (2 days per week in the London office)
• 25 days holiday (rising to 27 after 2 years and 30 after 5 years)
• Pension contribution up to 12.25% from the organisation (total of up to 19.25% including employee contribution)
• Life Assurance
• Season Ticket Loan
• Plus a range of additional benefits

If you are interested, please feel free to apply

Morgan Hunt is a multi-award-winning recruitment business for interim, contract and temporary recruitment and acts as an Employment Agency in relation to permanent vacancies. Morgan Hunt is an equal opportunities employer. Job suitability is assessed on merit in accordance with the individual's skills, qualifications and abilities to perform the relevant duties required in a particular role.