Job Description

As part of the development of our Digital Services function, we are recruiting to strengthen our internal digital capability. These roles are central to building sustainable in-house expertise that supports the design, development, and delivery of digital solutions across the transport network.

A key focus of this campaign is creating new opportunities. As a result, we are recruiting a Lead Date Scientist to play a leading role in shaping the future of digital services across National Highways.

Our Digital Lab develops and manages innovative data products and services in-house, while building strategic external partnerships that increase adoption of our digital assets to improve customer journeys and support the efficient operation of the Strategic Road Network.

As Lead Data Scientist you will work with teams across National Highways, our partners and stakeholders to analyse data, understand where data science can add value and lead the design/development of data products and services. You will create compelling evidence-based and actionable data stories to drive improved decision-making.

This is a hybrid role, requiring two days per week in the office, based at any National Highways office location.

• Provide leadership and direction across a programme of multidisciplinary data science projects, managing resources to ensure delivery.
• Source, access, manipulate and engineer data processes with data that typically have characteristics of volume, velocity and variety.
• Develop & apply technical and analytical standards from National Highways, government and industry.
• Explore and visualise data to present the ‘story’ in a meaningful way, to a range of technical and non-technical audiences.
• Propagate data science skills within and across teams, understanding the variety of functional roles relating to data science and how they can be most effectively applied to solve business problems.

About you.

• Ability to develop, code, test, correct and document programmes or scripts.
• Excellent working knowledge of applied maths, statistics, and scientific practices with broad knowledge of how and when to practically apply existing best practice solutions.
• Good ability to work with Data Engineers to map, produce, transform, and test new data feeds for data owners and consumers, selecting the most appropriate tools and technologies.
• Experience with supporting teams applying a range of techniques to analyse data and provide insight.
• Excellent ability to present analysis and visualisations in clear ways to communicate complex messages.

About us.

Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England’s motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.

The Digital Services Directorate is helping to reshape the way National Highways operates by delivering digital, data, and technology services across all areas, from frontline to back office, in a modern and efficient manner. Our vision is to develop integrated information and technology that empowers our colleagues and provides real-time information to our customers, as well as integrating with intelligent vehicle and transport systems as they evolve, to enhance journey safety and reliability.

External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.

We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Why you should join us

At National Highways we believe in a connected country. We are passionate about creating a culture where colleagues feel connected, included and enjoy greater wellbeing to achieve this. We’re proud that as an organisation we are continually striving to do better and actively encourage and support our colleagues to do the same with their careers.

So, if you put safety first, take ownership of your work, show passion for what you do, work effectively in a team, and demonstrate integrity in how you do it – then you’ll be a great fit for our organisation.

A connected and sustainable working approach has been adopted across National Highways. For some roles, this means being able to work in a hybrid way spending up to 60% of time working from a remote location such as home.

Please wait until the interview stage before asking us about flexibility, and we will explore what is possible.

Our benefits package

• Our total reward package includes basic salary, the potential for a performance related bonus
• Contributory pension scheme with employer contribution of up to 10%
• Annual Leave starting at 26 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising by 1 day each year up to 31 days (plus Bank Holidays)
• Flexible hours and an approach driven by connected and sustainable working which includes hybrid working
• Life assurance of 4 times annual salary
• Health and wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7 365 days and network of mental health first aiders. Plus access to a wellbeing app to enhance your self-care 24/7, Occupational health service and flu vaccines
• A cycle to work scheme for the purchase of a bicycle and equipment for healthy, low carbon travel
• Significant investment in your career development, through learning and development, talent management, coaching, mentoring and on job experience

And we are

• Family friendly with enhanced maternity leave and pay, paternity leave (15 days), shared parental leave, adoption leave. Plus access to financial support for holiday play schemes and paid special leave (up to 5 days pa), eg for caring responsibilities
• Money friendly with access to a discounts platform including over 3000 discounts for supermarkets, eating out, leisure, holidays. Alongside a financial wellbeing programme
• Community friendly – offering paid leave to volunteer, 3 days basic/year

If you are successful, it is key to know all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory completion of our pre-employment checks which include:

• Right to work check
• 3 year employment history references
• DBS criminal record check
• Social media and adverse journalism check
• Driving licence check (if applicable)
• Fit to work questionnaire (for all), followed by a medical check (if applicable)
• Qualifications and/or professional membership check (if applicable)

And finally

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