Senior Data Scientist

Location: London / Leicester / Bexhill

Welcome to Hastings Direct. We’re a digital insurance provider with ambitious plans to become the best and biggest in the UK market. We’ve made huge investments in our pricing and data capabilities over the past few years, along with nurturing our 4Cs culture.

We provide insurance for over four million customers, but we know there’s even bigger opportunity out there – our Pricing, Data and Analytics community value curiosity, collaboration and constructive challenge.

We are always looking for new ideas and diverse perspectives to question established thinking and drive meaningful change. Great pricing is built on trust, innovation and precision, so our aim is to ensure customers receive a fair and accurate price based on their individual risk, supporting fair outcomes, while delivering sustainable and profitable growth for our company.

Pricing is more than just a number – it’s a strategic capability. At the heart of Hastings is deep risk insight – continually improving how we assess, segment and price risk through data and analytics.

We are looking for an experienced Data Scientist that wants to break free of the normal and develop real innovation to the Insurance Industry. The Senior Data Scientist will assist in the identification and creation of cutting‑edge data assets and predictive models that feed into Hastings’ market‑leading pricing activities. This role is within a challenger product with a team comprising Data Scientists/Modellers as well as Analysts all championing alternative ways of risk analysis and market pricing.

We are looking for individuals to leverage a new tech stack that enhances our potential model deployment capabilities. It is great that you are looking to build your career with us, please ensure you invest time in your application and where appropriate, use your internal network to help support your interest.

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• Create and maintain analytical tools to support in the management of our risk portfolio.
  
• Develop best‑in‑class models to predict claims outcomes, fraud and other risk KPIs.
  
• Engineer powerful new rating factors to be deployed into our rating algorithms.
  
• Identify, analyse and monetise new data sources.
  

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• Track record of delivery of ML projects from EDA to deployment, post‑deployment evaluation and model refreshing.
  
• Experience liaising with multiple stakeholders to effectively frame problems and build solutions with effective commercial outcomes.
  
• Keen interest in emerging ML techniques and their commercial value.
  
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, Azure ML, Git, Azure Cloud Services.
  
• Strong communication skills.
  
• Ability to work cross‑functionally with Data Engineers, Data Scientists, Actuaries and Pricing Analysts.
  

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• Natural problem solver who loves building quality solutions to complex real‑world challenges.
  
• Focuses on the bigger picture but not afraid to get into the detail when necessary.
  
• Dynamic, flexible, and delivery‑focussed work ethic required to adapt to a fast paced environment.
  
• Takes ownership and accountability for key projects and workstream.
  

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• Recruiter screening call.
  
• 1st stage interview – Initial Intro with hiring leader.
  
• 2nd interview (Technical) will include panel.
  
• 3rd short call with Hiring Leader.
  

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• Competitive salary and £5k car allowance.
  
• Flexible hybrid working – discuss details with recruiter.
  
• Competitive bonus scheme – all colleagues eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus.
  
• Physical wellbeing – as a Band 4 colleague, Hastings pays for private medical insurance (PMI) and you can choose specialist or consultant appointments.
  
• Financial wellbeing – 4× your salary with life assurance cover, income protection at no extra cost, matched pension contributions up to 10%, discounts, cashback, free independent mortgage advice and financial wellbeing support.
  
• Mental wellbeing programme – thrive mental health app, 24/7 colleague assistance programme, in‑house mental health first aiders, support groups and a dedicated team to meet your needs.
  
• 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, option to buy or sell a week, health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, cycle to work and tech schemes, discounted and free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year.
  

Join us and you’ll find a different way of doing things. We call it the 4Cs. We focus on getting it right for our colleagues, customers, company and community. As one of our colleagues, you’ll be helping to drive our growth, so in return, we’ll give you all the support, training and development you need.

Our 4Cs principles are simple: we believe by creating the right culture for our colleagues and giving them the right tools to do their job, we’ll deliver good outcomes for every customer, help us grow the company profitably and sustainably and allow us to invest in the communities we serve.

At Hastings Direct, we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we encourage you to be open with us. Our recruitment team is here to provide the support you need to ensure a fair and accessible experience for all.

Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably‑skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. Please note that we have a thorough referencing process, which includes credit and criminal record checks.