Lead Data Scientist

Job Title: Lead Data Scientist

Please read the information in this job post thoroughly to understand exactly what is expected of potential candidates.

• Salary: London: £60,670 - £67,500 / National: £57,670 - £64,500.
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Working Pattern: This post is available on a full-time, part-time or job-share basis, and flexible working hours can be accommodated.
• Location: London. Any applicants who are already NISTA staff can also apply to be based from their existing locations in Birmingham (23 Stephenson Street), or Leeds (2 Whitehall Quay).

About the Team

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to join a friendly and ambitious team who are always finding new ways to drive better use of data, right in the heart of central government?

The NISTA Data & Insight Team brings together data scientists, engineers, analysts and digital professionals who genuinely care about learning from each other, sharing ideas and making things happen. Together we turn rich, high-value project data into analysis, insights and tools that support people across government, from project delivery teams to senior leaders in HMT, the Cabinet Office and No10, to make decisions that shape how the UK delivers its biggest and most complex projects. Working with the Government Major Projects Portfolio, the 10‑year Infrastructure Pipeline and other project delivery data, your work will directly influence how major programmes are planned, delivered and improved.

Over the last two years, the team has undergone a significant transformation, digitising large-scale project data collection and overhauling our digital and data infrastructure. This enables us to create high-impact dashboards and analytics as well as drive the development of AI tools. It means we can develop and share quickly, resulting in rapid iterative development with our users. And we continue to evolve, improve our capability and develop our skills.

In this role, you’ll be joining a supportive, inclusive and collaborative environment, where you can grow your skills, tackle meaningful challenges and make a real impact on the future of government delivery.

About the Job

The Lead Data Scientist is a key management role within NISTA Data and Insight team. You will balance technical expertise with leadership and communication skills, to develop bespoke data science products to be used across NISTA, HM Treasury and the wider UK government. Working in close partnership with others in NISTA’s Data and Insight management team, you will help shape the direction for how we use data, generate insight and develop AI‑enabled capabilities.

In this role you will:

• Lead our Insight Workstream
  • Maintaining, developing and deploying a range of data science products (including Python Plotly Dash apps, Next.js apps and advanced analytical (ML and AI) tools) on our cloud-based technology stack (AWS)
  • Finding new opportunities to create value for the organisation and identifying emerging technologies to develop new products
  • Building and maintaining positive relationships with a range of partners, including colleagues across multiple departments, to embed user-centric data science products
• Work to expand and develop our advanced analytical offering for Project Delivery Function, including building and embedding advanced AI tools across government
• Provide guidance to team members on best practices in coding, analysis, and usage of data, including use of Git for version control and Data Engineering principles
• Be an excellent line manager, with the ability to motivate people to deliver and perform at their best even in challenging circumstances
• Foster a culture of experimentation and learning, working with others in the management team to drive our Innovation workstream e.g. hackathons and innovation days
• Champion the role of data, digital and analysis in supporting organisational priorities and communicating data science outputs confidently to senior leaders and ministers

About You

We are seeking people who:

1. Have the ability to produce high-quality code in at least one language (e.g. Python)
2. Have experience working with a cloud computing platform (e.g. AWS)
3. Have experience leading data science projects to solve problems creatively.
4. Have the ability to translate complex analysis into insights to communicate to non-technical audiences to achieve impact

Some of the Benefits our people love!

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant). xwzovoh Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month
• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)
• Generous parental and adoption leave packages
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 28.97%
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances
• A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity

For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process, please tell us about this in your online application form, or speak to the recruitment team at