Principal Data Scientist

Overview

As Principal Data Scientist you will lead end-to-end data science delivery within the Data & AI function, shaping high-value models and decision-support tools. You’ll work in Agile squads to design, productionise and maintain scalable solutions that integrate with business processes. You will ensure model compliance, ethical responsibility, and continuous improvement of the team and ways of working. You’ll mentor others, foster collaboration, and drive impact across critical business areas at British Airways.

Pay / Benefits

• staff travel benefits
• unlimited basic and premium standby tickets
• up to 30 discounted airfares per year for family and friends
• career development opportunities
• inclusive culture
• opportunity to shape data strategy

Responsibilities

• Co-manage and coach data science teams to deliver a portfolio of products from scoping to delivery
• Frame ill-defined client needs and align data science solutions with business goals
• Ensure timely, high-quality delivery of data science products for their area
• Report on team KPIs
• Prepare inputs from raw data for models and improve data quality
• Design and train data science products (models, analytics tools, NLP, anomaly detection, forecasts, optimization, decision support)
• Work with Digital teams to productionise models and deliver interfaces
• Translate results into actionable business recommendations
• Guide stakeholders on how models can improve outcomes
• Collaborate with cross-functional business and Digital teams
• Oversee lifecycle management of existing data science products for value and feasibility
• Monitor industry trends and publish framework adherence and ethical practices
• Line manage and coach team members to reach potential
• Contribute to feature prioritisation and roadmap discussions
• Communicate modelling approaches and results to stakeholders
• Contribute to agile development squad practices (Git, PRs, documentation)
• Provide independent delivery timelines and team coverage when needed
• Lead others on projects
• Manage priorities and timelines to meet business requirements
• Foster collaborative, feedback-driven team processes

Key requirements

• Numerate degree or equivalent with data science components
• Experience of leading others applying data science to business problems
• Experience in developing industrialised software, especially data science or ML software products (required)
• Experience in relevant business domains (transportation, airlines, operations) (preferred)
• Strong ability to structure problems and communicate with senior groups
• Proficiency in building and deploying production-ready ML pipelines using Python
• Comprehensive cloud understanding
• Advanced data wrangling using SQL and Python
• Strong stakeholder relationship management and data science strategy setting
• Ability to coach and manage teams and lead Scrum ceremonies
• Proficient in Git versioning and DevOps practices
• Experience explaining complex technical concepts to varied audiences
• Ability to manage projects with Agile principles and QA
• Capability to apply software engineering principles (Git, Python)
• Experience with data science product lifecycle management
• Experience in creating decision-support tools and optimisation models
• Excellent collaboration and feedback culture
• Inclusion and diversity minded

• Stakeholder management
• Coaching and mentoring
• Effective communication with senior groups
• Python
• SQL
• Git

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