Senior Data Scientist in Analytics Enablement Hub

London or Leeds

Data Strategy Implementation Division

Our Division helps the Bank to make the best use of data and analytics. Pretty much everything the Bank does depends critically on the use of data and analytics, and the Bank has made our work a strategic priority. We have support from the Governor down and across the Bank, and a big increase in funding. As part of our team, you will contribute to outcomes of national importance today, while preparing the Bank to face the challenges of tomorrow.

We have lots of opportunities for people who want to grow. We are moving from a start-up to a scale-up: created five years ago, and grown from a dozen or so to approaching eighty people. We need people to contribute their ideas, be entrepreneurial, and take the lead on new areas of work. You can gain broad exposure to the various parts of the Bank, giving you the option to move to other roles within the Bank in the future.

We have a supportive culture that empowers people to be the best they can. This culture is reflected in staff survey results. Staff in our division tell us we are particularly good at giving recognition, praise and useful feedback, with 86% of staff saying they would recommend their manager to others. We offer very flexible working arrangements.

Analytics Enablement Hub (AEH)

The Analytics Enablement Hub (AEH) sets the analytics strategy for the Bank by providing the data science and analytical tools, data platforms, policies, and support to help colleagues analyse data and communicate their insights to decision-makers.

The Data & Analytics Platform was launched over three years ago and provides an integrated environment for data and analytics enabling a variety of business use cases. The AEH is the Business Owner for the D&A Platform working together with a Product Owner in Technology. The D&A Platform hosts some of the largest datasets available in the Bank and enables key business critical analytical processes. As part of the Bank’s D&A Strategy, and following the success and demand for our current D&A Platform, this will be migrated into the cloud over the coming years. This provides a fantastic opportunity to shape this new environment to meet the needs of our users, and future capabilities enabled by the cloud.  The DAPP team provide the data science leadership and expertise for our D&A Platform.

Our Data & Analytics Project Pool (DAPP) scientists are instrumental to the success of the platform, continuously building analytical products to enable faster, safter and critical analysis. In addition, we partner with business areas to help them address data and analytics challenges across the Bank. These lead to a variety of interesting projects undertaken including building robust end-to-end analytical pipelines, automating analytical processes, visualising data in novel ways, and modelling techniques to name just a few.

How do you know if our team is a good fit for you?

You are

• Focussed on what makes a difference.
• Collaborative and inclusive.
• Innovative and entrepreneurial.
• Committed to iteration and incremental improvement.

You like 

• Creating great products and services that make people’s lives easier.
• Seizing opportunities and solving problems.
• Learning, honing your skills, and gaining new skills.
• Data and analytics!

You know

• What can be achieved by using data and analytics.
• What must be done to use data and analytics effectively.

 

Job Description

You will be at the heart of a vibrant team and the Technical Lead for the Analytics Products for our Data & Analytics Platform (and future Enterprise Data Platform in the cloud), which hosts the largest datasets in the Bank. As a key part of the Bank's Data and Analytics strategy, you will help deliver valuable business change to the Bank by:

• Ensuring a high-quality user experience and support for our colleagues using big data and cloud capabilities.
• Leading and developing analytical capabilities in our Platforms to meet the needs of the Bank.
• Providing thought leadership on the strategy and vision on our path for AI and data science, including how to practically and safely deploy these into products and applications.

We expect that strong candidates will help shape their role, but anticipate you will:

• Lead the implementation of analytical tools and processes to support the user experience of our data platforms to enable effective analysis by Data Scientists and Analysts. 
• Collaborate and support Platform users with queries and new capabilities to help them achieve their business outcomes. 
• Ensure our strategic interoperable analytical toolset in our Platforms integrates successfully to enable robust data science pipelines.
• Provide technical leadership, support and testing for the migration of the Data & Analytics Platform to the Enterprise Data Platform.
• Work with key data change projects to ensure that their data science requirements are understood, prioritised and implemented appropriately in line with the Data & Analytics Strategy.
• Thought leadership for the Data Science and AI vision for the Bank and how to practically and pragmatically incorporate these into our products. This includes being a recognised SME on these topics and how these align with business area objectives and priorities. 
• Engage with the wider Data & Analytics community (internal and external) to share ideas, techniques and experiences, and work to propagate data science skills across the Bank.
• Coach junior data science colleagues.

There is also the potential to enrol in related courses of interest or embark on an advanced data science related qualifications, such as Bank-sponsored Apprenticeships and/or MSc in Data Science, or industry-recognised certifications (e.g. Microsoft Azure).

Role Requirements

Essential Criteria

• Expert knowledge in R and/or Python, and how they work with Spark, to deliver critical data science and analytical capabilities in big data platforms.
• Five years plus experience of developing analytical products in a big data platform.
• High proficiency in analysing big data with cloud services (e.g. Microsoft Azure Services, Databricks).
• Expertise in product ownership to develop high quality analytical products and big data platform capabilities.
• Experience of software development best practices, including unit testing and CI/CD processes.
• Pro-activity and innovative attitude.
• Knowledge and experience of using various Large Language Models (LLMs) tools and techniques, including GPT models, Llama, Azure OpenAI etc.
• Interest in data science techniques and both passion and perseverance to use them to answer real-world questions.
• Experience of leading pieces of work in a matrix management setup.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to engage effectively with colleagues at a range of seniorities and knowledge levels, including translating between business areas and Technology.
• An open and collaborative approach in order to foster strong positive partnerships with colleagues all over the organisation. 
• Coaching and mentoring for junior data science colleagues.
• Thought leadership on data science and AI capabilities in the Bank.

 

Desirable Criteria

• Experience and knowledge of Cloudera Data Platform.
• Proficiency in data visualisation tools (e.g. Tableau, Power BI) and presenting data effectively.
• Change management experience.
• Knowledge of Bank business area objectives and priorities.

  Our Approach to Inclusion The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve.    At the Bank of England, we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected, so we're working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity, including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that it’s by drawing on different perspectives and experiences that we’ll continue to make the best decisions for the public.   We welcome applications from individuals who work flexibly, including job shares and part time working patterns. We've also partnered with external organisations to support us in making adjustments for candidates and employees in the recruitment process where they're needed.   For most roles where work can be carried out at home, we aim for colleagues to spend half of their time in the office, with a minimum of 40% per month.  Subject to that minimum requirement, individuals and managers should work together to find what works best for them, their team and stakeholders.   Finally, we're proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme. If you wish to apply under this scheme, you should check the box in the ‘Candidate Personal Information’ under the ‘Disability Confident Scheme’ section of the application.
Salary and Benefits Information We encourage flexible working, part time working and job share arrangements.  Part time salary and benefits will be on a pro-rated basis as appropriate.   London circa £81,920 - £86,500   Leeds circa £73,760 - £76,500   In addition, we also offer a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below:

• Currently a non-contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/80th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/65th) or decrease (to 1/105th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year.  The Bank has the discretion to vary standard accrual rates and dial up and dial down rates at any time and to withdraw dial up and dial down options at any time.
• A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.
• An 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.   
• 26 days’ annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits. 
• Private medical insurance and income protection.

 

National Security Vetting Process

Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (and typically can take between 6 to 12 weeks post offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy.  Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided to the successful applicant, and information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes, is set out in the Bank's Privacy Notice.

The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates, but as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance.  As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited.  The Bank cannot guarantee that you and / or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful.  Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.

The Application Process   Important: Please ensure that you complete the ‘work history’ section and answer ALL the application questions fully. All candidate applications are anonymised to ensure that our hiring managers will not be able to see your personal information, including your CV, when reviewing your application details at the screening stage. It’s therefore really important that you fill out the work history and application form questions, as your answers will form a critical part of the initial selection process.   The assessment process will comprise of two interview stages.  
  This role closes on 20th May 2025.   Please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail as your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed.

We are the UK's central bank - and we are a bank like no other; known by our peers for our world-leading thinking on policy and strategy.   Our mission is to promote the good of the people of the UK by maintaining monetary and financial stability. We seek to keep prices stable and people's money safe. We know our work matters to people, to families, up and down the UK. We are driven by curiosity and the desire to do important, challenging work.    It takes a great team to run the Bank of England. We rely on each other to play our part. We benefit from a collaborative culture and long-established flexible ways of working, supporting our colleagues balance their work and personal lives. We strive to be a place where people feel they belong and have equal access to opportunities, because different perspectives helps us make the best decisions for the public.   There's much to gain from working with us - from career defining work at the heart of the UK economy, being part of a fantastic team, and a rewarding compensation package.    Join us and find a bank like no other. Together, we can make a difference.
The Bank of England will use and protect the information you provide when you apply for a role with us, in line with our obligations under data protection law.  This is so we can assess your suitability for the role and administer your application. If you’re successful we’ll use it to offer you a position and onboard you to join the Bank.
If you would like more details about how your information will be used and your information rights, please visit our recruitment privacy notice