Data Science Capability Lead

Data Science Capability Lead

Division – Data, Technology & Innovation (DTI)

Department – Advanced Analytics

Salary – National – ranging from £59,100 – £80,000 and London from £64,900 – £90,000 per annum (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

About the FCA

The FCA regulates the conduct of 45,000 firms in the UK to ensure our financial markets are honest, fair and competitive. Follow this link to find out more About the FCA.

The Team/Department

The FCA’s Advanced Analytics department is seeking a Data Science Capability Lead, a pivotal role focused on developing and enhancing data science skills across the organisation. This position is crucial for nurturing a culture of continuous learning and elevating the technical and strategic capabilities of data scientists.

Key responsibilities include leading dynamic FCA-facing data learning initiatives such as data bootcamps for upskilling business managers and hackathons designed to identify new business opportunities where data science can have a significant impact. Additionally, this role will oversee an internal suite of learning and knowledge-sharing opportunities, including but not limited to Data Science Labs, mentoring, reverse mentoring, Journal Club, and Kaggle competitions. These initiatives are aligned with the organisation’s strategic priorities and are integral to fostering an innovative environment.

What will you be doing?

• Leading hackathon-style events: Manage events across Advanced Analytics and the wider FCA to identify and develop cutting-edge data science techniques. These hackathons focus on creating rapid proof-of-concepts that explore innovative approaches and deliver actionable data

• Leading the Data Bootcamp Programme: Oversee the upskilling of approximately 60-100 managers and technical specialists annually in data analytics and insights. This programme is designed to deliver targeted, impactful learning experiences that enhance understanding of data tools and methodologies, aligning with the FCA’s strategic priority to increase data fluency across the organisation

• Overseeing learning and knowledge-sharing opportunities: Manage an internal suite of initiatives such as mentoring, reverse mentoring, Journal Clubs, and Kaggle competitions. These elements are crafted to foster a culture of continuous professional development, encouraging collaboration, innovation, and the enhancement of technical skills across the department

• Fostering data science community development: Create and maintain a vibrant data science community within the organisation. This role involves setting up networking, knowledge exchange, and collaborative problem-solving opportunities among data scientists and related stakeholders, aimed at building a supportive community that encourages continuous learning and shares best practices

• Supporting the graduate pipeline: Facilitate the integration and growth of graduates within the organisation by providing mentorship, hands-on training, and structured learning opportunities. This ensures that graduates develop the necessary skills and behaviours to thrive at the FCA

• Ensuring effective tools and processes: Ensure that data scientists have the necessary tools and processes to perform their roles effectively. This involves identifying and removing bottlenecks in deployment routes, facilitating access to essential tools, and collaborating with the management team and other technology teams to implement best practices and enhance the efficiency of data science processes throughout the department

What will you get from the role?

• Strategic impact: Lead high-profile initiatives that directly contribute to the FCA’s data science capability and shape its long-term analytics roadmap

• Innovation & experimentation: Drive cutting-edge data science work such as hackathons, Kaggle competitions, and Data Science Labs, fostering an experimental approach to problem-solving

• Leadership & influence: Work with senior leaders and technical teams to enhance data fluency and ensure data science is leveraged effectively across the organisation

• Community building: Play a key role in growing and nurturing a thriving data science community at the FCA through mentoring, reverse mentoring, and knowledge-sharing initiatives

• Professional growth: Gain exposure to a wide range of data science applications, from regulatory insights to AI-driven solutions, with opportunities for personal and professional development

• Dynamic team environment: Work within a diverse and dynamic transformation team committed to delivering impactful data science solutions and supporting each other to grow and thrive in the organisation

Which skills are required?

We are a Disability Confident Employer; therefore, disabled people or individuals with long-term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process. (To learn more about the Disability Confident Scheme Click Here)

Minimum

• Data Science expertise – Strong working knowledge of data science methodologies, analytics tools, and statistical techniques

• Leadership & mentorship – Proven experience in mentoring and coaching data scientists or analysts, fostering skill development and professional growth

• Stakeholder engagement – Ability to collaborate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives

Essential

• Programme & event management – Experience in planning and running large-scale learning initiatives, such as hackathons, bootcamps, and training session

• Project delivery – Ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously, delivering impactful outcomes within set timelines

• Supporting graduate & early career talent – Experience in mentoring or integrating graduates into data teams, ensuring they develop critical technical and professional skills

• Building & nurturing a data science community – Demonstrated success in fostering collaboration and best practice-sharing among data scientists and stakeholder

• Optimising data science tools & processes – Track record of improving the efficiency of data science workflows, removing barriers to tool adoption, and enhancing deployment processes

• Hands-on technical proficiency – Experience with Python, R, SQL, or other relevant data science tools

• Experience in regulatory environment – Understanding of data science applications within regulatory, financial, or governmental contexts

• Knowledge of AI & Machine Learning – Familiarity with emerging trends in AI, ML, and their practical applications in business and regulation

Our Values & Diversity

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and our ambition is to cultivate a culture for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences and similarities enable us to be a better organisation – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better regulation.

Within the workplace you will have access to various employee resource groups which aim to promote and achieve a healthy work / life balance and support our diversity ambitions.

Did you know? 50% of our Executive Committee are women.

The FCA is committed to achieving greater diversity across all levels of the organisation. Given this, we particularly welcome applications from women, minority ethnic, disabled, and neurodivergent candidates for our role.

Benefits of working at the FCA

• 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays

• Hybrid working (work from home up to 60% of your time)

• Private healthcare with Bupa 

• A non-contributory Pension of at least 8%

• Life assurance

• Income protection

We also have a competitive flexible benefits scheme which gives you the opportunity to create a personalised benefits package, tailored to suit your lifestyle.

We welcome applications from candidates who are looking for flexible arrangements.  Many of our staff work flexibly including working part-time, staggered hours, and job shares.  We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want but we can explore what might work best for both sides.

Follow this link to see what life is like at the FCA – Life at the FCA

Application Support

We are dedicated to removing barriers and ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition requiring changes to the recruitment process, please contact your recruiter using the details below and they will be happy to discuss this further with you.

Useful Information and Timeline

This role is graded Lead Associate – Regulatory.

• Advert closing date: Sunday 30th March      

• CV review/shortlist: w/c 31st March   

• Interview to assess technical capability and core skills: w/c 7th April   

Your Recruiter will discuss the process in detail with you during screening for the role, therefore, please make them aware if you are going to be unavailable for any date during this time. 

Got a question?

If you are interested in learning more about the role, please contact: Melanie Dubock at Melanie.Dubock@fca.org.uk

Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.