Head of Data Science & AI

Head of Data Science & AI (Contract) Manchester - 2 days per week onsite £650 - £675/day (Outside IR35) Initial 3-month contract (likely to be extended) Oliver James has partnered with a growing, multi-entity business undergoing significant transformation, as they look to appoint a Lead Data Science Consultant to support the development and maturity of their data science capability. This role will work closely with senior leadership to help shape and guide the direction of data science across the organisation. With an existing team in place, the focus will be on raising technical standards, improving model deployment practices, and driving tangible business value, particularly around customer analytics and retention. Key Responsibilities • Provide technical leadership across data science initiatives, defining what "good" looks like in model development and deployment • Guide and mentor an existing team of Data Scientists, improving capability and best practice • Support the design and delivery of robust, production-ready machine learning solutions • Drive the adoption of MLOps best practices, particularly within an Azure environment • Partner with senior stakeholders (including Director and ExCo level) to translate business challenges into data-driven solutions • Focus on delivering measurable business outcomes, particularly in areas such as customer behaviour and churn • Ensure delivery is aligned to timelines, stakeholder expectations, and quality standards Essential Skills • Proven experience in a senior or leadership role within Data Science or Advanced Analytics • Strong technical background in machine learning, statistical modelling, and data science methodologies • Experience developing and deploying models into production environments • Exposure to MLOps frameworks and best practices • Strong experience working within Azure (e.g. Azure ML, Databricks) or similar cloud environments • Demonstrable experience engaging with senior business stakeholders • Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment, balancing delivery speed with technical quality Desirable Skills • Experience within telecoms, utilities, or subscription-based businesses • Prior experience working on customer analytics, retention, or churn use cases • Background in both hands-on data science and team leadership • Experience operating within less structured / scaling environments