Head of Data Science

loveholidays
London
1 day ago
Create job alert

At loveholidays, we’re on a mission to open the world to everyone, giving our customers unlimited choice, unmatched ease, and unmissable value for their next getaway. Our team is the driving force behind our role as our customers’ personal holiday expert — the smart way to get away.


About the team

Our data science team (currently four data scientists, and we’re hiring two more) works across the business to deploy machine learning approaches that help us realize our ambition of becoming Europe’s most loved Online Travel Agency. The team focuses on building value for our customers, suppliers, and loveholidays through deploying advanced machine learning techniques.


The impact you’ll have

Reporting to the Chief Data Officer, the Head of Data Science will help the business deliver AI-powered solutions to assist customers pre- and post-booking:



  • Drive conversion rate improvements by helping customers find their ideal holiday through sort order and recommendation algorithms.
  • Drive more efficient traffic acquisition through bid optimization algorithms.
  • Help the business make better data-assisted decisions through A/B test analysis reporting.
  • Work across the business to ensure we are choosing the right applications for machine learning technology.
  • The Head of Data Science is also responsible for creating and developing our data science talent through hiring, line management, and career progression.


Key responsibilities include:


  2. Building a deep understanding of the business to develop a company-wide data science strategy.

    • Help the business, including your team, prioritize the highest impact data science initiatives.


  3. Collaborating closely with senior leadership and the wider business.

    • Build a reputation for getting things done.
    • Bring data leadership and rigor to improve decision-making.
    • Manage stakeholder relationships across functions like engineering, product, operations, and the Executive Team.


  4. Structuring complex data science projects to deliver incremental commercial value.
  5. Building and running complex machine learning systems within the data science team and with engineering teams.

    • Ensure adoption of engineering principles in data science applications.


  6. Developing and scaling a high-performing team of data scientists through hiring, coaching, and career development.


Qualifications include a proven track record in unlocking commercial value through data science, mentoring skills, and strong knowledge of machine learning and statistical algorithms focused on structured data. Experience with cloud-based data science applications, performance, scalability, and reliability, along with expertise in Python and familiarity with other programming languages like TypeScript, Java, Golang, Rust, is required.


Perks of joining us


  • Company pension contributions at 5%.
  • Individualized training budget for on-the-job learning.
  • Discounted holidays for you, your family, and friends.
  • 25 days of holidays per year, increasing with service.
  • Options to buy and sell annual leave.
  • Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan, and eye care vouchers.


At loveholidays, we focus on developing an inclusive culture that encourages personal growth and collective success. We value diverse perspectives and ideas that enhance our teams and the insight you could bring to our journey.


The interview journey


  • Introductory chat with the hiring manager (Chief Data Officer).
  • Cross-functional interviews covering your approach to leading the data science team and your technical expertise.


Note: Preparation prior to the interviews is required.


About the company

loveholidays offers a bespoke way of searching for your next getaway, allowing you to personalize your holiday with ultimate flexibility. Book confidently knowing your holiday is ATOL protected, with various payment options available.


#J-18808-Ljbffr

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Head of Data Science

Head of Data Science

Head of Data Science

Head of Data Science

Head of Data Science - Fintech

Head of Data Science (hands on) – FinTech

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Careers

How Many Machine Learning Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Machine Learning Job?

Machine learning is one of the most exciting and rapidly growing areas of tech. But for job seekers it can also feel like a maze of tools, frameworks and platforms. One job advert wants TensorFlow and Keras. Another mentions PyTorch, scikit-learn and Spark. A third lists Mlflow, Docker, Kubernetes and more. With so many names out there, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you must learn everything just to be competitive. Here’s the honest truth most machine learning hiring managers won’t say out loud: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every tool. They hire you because you can solve real problems with the tools you know. Tools are important — no doubt — but context, judgement and outcomes matter far more. So how many machine learning tools do you actually need to know to get a job? For most job seekers, the real number is far smaller than you think — and more logically grouped. This guide breaks down exactly what employers expect, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to structure your learning for real career results.

Jobs

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Machine Learning Job Applications (UK Guide)

Whether you’re applying for machine learning engineer, applied scientist, research scientist, ML Ops or data scientist roles, hiring managers scan applications quickly — often making decisions before they’ve read beyond the top third of your CV. In the competitive UK market, it’s not enough to list skills. You must send clear signals of relevance, delivery, impact, reasoning and readiness for production — and do it within the first few lines of your CV or portfolio. This guide walks you through exactly what hiring managers look for first in machine learning applications, how they evaluate CVs and portfolios, and what you can do to improve your chances of getting shortlisted at every stage — from your CV and LinkedIn profile to your cover letter and project portfolio.

Careers Jobs

MLOps Jobs in the UK: The Complete Career Guide for Machine Learning Professionals

Machine learning has moved from experimentation to production at scale. As a result, MLOps jobs have become some of the most in-demand and best-paid roles in the UK tech market. For job seekers with experience in machine learning, data science, software engineering or cloud infrastructure, MLOps represents a powerful career pivot or progression. This guide is designed to help you understand what MLOps roles involve, which skills employers are hiring for, how to transition into MLOps, salary expectations in the UK, and how to land your next role using specialist platforms like MachineLearningJobs.co.uk.

🍪 We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience on our website. By continuing to use this site, you consent to the use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. You can review our Cookie Policy for more information.