Senior Data Scientist

Funding Circle Ltd.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - GBP 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial technology company in the UK is seeking a Senior (Lead) Data Scientist to develop and monitor cutting-edge statistical and machine learning models. You will mentor junior team members and ensure high-quality outputs while collaborating with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate has advanced education in quantitative fields and expert knowledge in Python and SQL. This role offers a hybrid working environment with a range of benefits focused on health, wealth, and personal development.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Private Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Learning & Development allowance

Qualifications

• Passionate about supporting businesses.
• Proven experience in problem-solving and analytical methods.
• Expert-level knowledge of Python and SQL.

Responsibilities

• Develop statistical and machine learning models for commercial lending products.
• Mentor junior team members during the model development lifecycle.
• Oversee the experimentation framework for model optimizations.
• Conduct peer reviews of code to ensure high-quality outputs.

Skills

Python

SQL

Machine Learning

Analytical Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in a quantitative field

Job description

Senior (Lead) Data Scientist

We are looking for a Senior (Lead) Data Scientist to join us as we continue to evolve and build our next generation of models at Funding Circle. You will play a key role in developing, implementing and monitoring these models and drive significant value for the business.

As part of the Decision Science team, you will create cutting edge statistical and machine learning models and collaborate with data engineers, analysts, and business stakeholders. As well as improving on our previous generation models, we are expanding our borrower products so you will have the opportunity to develop completely new models.

Who are we?

We’re Funding Circle. We back small businesses to succeed.

At Funding Circle, we believe the world needs small businesses. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to help them get the finance they need to grow.

With more than a decade of expertise under our belt, we’ve built a game‑changer of a platform with cutting-edge data and technology that’s reshaping the landscape of SME lending. Say goodbye to lengthy applications and hello to lightning‑fast decisions! In just minutes, SMEs across the UK can get a decision, giving them access to competitive funding in a flash.

We know that good business is about good people. So we pride ourselves on providing meaningful, human support as well as fast, hassle free processes to deliver an unbeatable customer experience.

The role

• Develop statistical and machine learning models for commercial lending products>
• Have a clear and relentless focus on delivering business results and be comfortable challenging the status quo
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior team members during the model development lifecycle
• Mentor the team on best practices for risk mitigation
• Oversee the experimentation framework for model optimisations
• Conduct peer reviews of code and methodologies to ensure high-quality, scalable outputs
• Proactively problem solving, identifying and confidently mitigating any risks, issues or control weaknesses that arise in your day-to-day

What we’re looking for

• Passionate about Funding Circle’s values and mission to support businesses
• Advanced Education: A Bachelors, Masters or PhD in a quantitative field or STEM related subject (Mathematics, Finance, Economics, Physics, Engineering…)
• Proven Expertise: Proven in problem-solving using logical reasoning and analytical methods and previous experience in Machine Learning and model building
• Technical Proficiency: Expert-level knowledge of Python and SQL

At Funding Circle we are committed to building diverse teams so please apply even if your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the requirements.

Want to learn more?

• We have a huge impact on the businesses that borrow through our platform, the communities they serve and the overall economy (last year £6.9bn of GDP generated). You can read our full Impact Report here: https://www.fundingcircle.com/uk/impact
• To see what our customers think, visit our Trustpilot page: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/fundingcircle.com
• And we’re still evolving! Our award‑winning multi‑product platform is solving more SME finance challenges than ever before. We think big, rally together and meet the needs of SME customers like no other.

Why join us?

At Funding Circle, we celebrate and support the differences that make you, you. We’re proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace and affirmative‑action employer. We truly believe that diversity makes us better.

As a flexible‑first employer we offer hybrid working at Funding Circle, and we've long believed in a 'best of both' approach to in‑office collaboration and non‑office days. We expect our teams to be in our London office three times a week, where you can take advantage our newly refurbished hybrid working space, barista made coffee and subsidised lunches (via JustEat) every day!

We back our Circlers to build their own incredible career, making a difference to small businesses every day. Our Circler proposition is designed to support employees both in and out of work, and it is anchored around four pillars: Health, Wealth, Development & Lifestyle.

A few highlights:

• Flexibility: We you with a benefit allowance so that you can tailor your benefit selection to you and your family’s needs.
• Health: Private Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Health Cash Plan, Health Assessments (including female fertility health assessments), eyecare vouchers, flu jabs, Wellhub (for discounted flexible gym membership and access to wellbeing apps) access to a free Employee Assistance Programme and free Digital GP for yourself and any children under 16.
• Wealth: Life Assurance, Income Protection, Critical Illness Cover, financial coaching through Octopus Money Coach, a tax‑advantaged share scheme, a free mortgage advisor partnership and discounts across numerous retailers through Perks at Work.
• Development: Dedicated annual Learning & Development allowance and full access to internal learning platform.
• Lifestyle: Electric Car Scheme, Cycle to Work scheme, Season Ticket Loans, and more!

And finally, we have award winning parental leave policies supporting parents through enhanced maternity, partner and adoption leave, as well as additional leave for parental bereavement and for fertility treatments.

Ready to make a difference? We’d love to hear from you.