Managing Data Scientist

Job Description Purpose of the Role

To design, develop, implement, and support mathematical, statistical, and machine learning models and analytics used in business decision-making.

Accountabilities

Design analytics and modelling solutions to complex business problems using domain expertise.

Collaborate with technology to specify any dependencies required for analytical solutions, such as data, development environments, and tools.

Develop high performing, comprehensively documented analytics and modelling solutions, demonstrating their efficacy to business users and independent validation teams.

Implement analytics and models in accurate, stable, well tested software and work with technology to operationalise them.

Provide ongoing support for the continued effectiveness of analytics and modelling solutions to users.

Demonstrate conformance to all Barclays Enterprise Risk Management Policies, particularly the Model Risk Policy.

Ensure all development activities are undertaken within the defined control environment.

Director Expectations

Manage a business function, providing significant input to function wide strategic initiatives; contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function, plan, manage, and consult on multiple complex and critical strategic projects.

Lead organisation wide projects as a deep technical expert and thought leader, identifying new ways of working and collaborating cross functionally; train, guide, and coach less experienced specialists; provide information influencing long term profits, organisational risks, and strategic decisions.

Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function.

Manage, coordinate, and enable resourcing, budgeting, and policy creation for a significant sub function; foster and guide compliance and ensure regulations are observed.

Monitor and influence external environments, regulators, or advocacy groups on behalf of Barclays when appropriate.

Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division/Group to achieve overall business objectives; maintain broad knowledge of industry theories, practices, relevant sectoral knowledge, and external market developments.

Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in complex or sensitive situations.

Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and certain strategic recommendations within own area; negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level, both internally and externally.

Act as a principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions or business divisions; serve as a spokesperson for the function and business division.

Day to Day Responsibilities

• Lead the UK Financial Crime ML portfolio, setting technical direction and ensuring high quality, scalable model delivery across fraud and transaction monitoring use cases.
• Drive end to end model lifecycle ownership-from data exploration and feature engineering to deployment, monitoring, and performance optimisation.
• Provide hands on technical leadership, reviewing Python code, model design, distributed computing approaches, and architectural decisions.
• Manage and develop a team of data scientists, setting standards for technical excellence, delivery discipline, and stakeholder engagement.
• Engage senior stakeholders (1LOD, Compliance, Control Owners, Technology) to prioritise initiatives, resolve competing demands, and ensure regulatory alignment.

Candidate Requirements

• Extensive experience building and deploying machine learning models in production, with strong hands on Python capability.
• Experience with distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Spark or similar) and scalable data processing environments.
• Exposure to cloud based platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP or Databricks) and modern ML/MLOps practices.
• Proven track record managing and growing high performing data science teams, including technical mentoring and delivery accountability.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, able to operate in complex, regulated environments; experience in Financial Crime or related risk domains is advantageous.

The Four LEAD Behaviours

• L - Listen and be authentic
• E - Energise and inspire
• A - Align across the enterprise
• D - Develop others

Barclays Values

Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship.

Barclays Mindset

Empower, Challenge, and Drive.