Lead Data Scientist Risk

The Acorn Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - GBP 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company is seeking an experienced Lead Data Scientist to join their Risk pricing team in London. The successful candidate will take technical leadership of a team, driving the development of innovative risk pricing models using modern data science methodologies. This role offers autonomy in design and execution, alongside hybrid working opportunities, aiming to enhance the company's competitive edge in the insurance market.

Benefits

35 days’ holiday including bank holidays

24/7 mental health support

Flexible benefits including early salary access

Career development programs

Qualifications

• Solid statistical understanding and expertise in a range of machine learning methodologies.
• Excellent Python coding experience.
• Detailed understanding of motor insurance risk.

Responsibilities

• Lead on both the structure and delivery of models to drive significant value.
• Design, create, and execute risk modelling solutions.
• Build and execute repeatable machine learning pipelines.

Skills

Statistical understanding

Machine learning methodologies

Python coding

Problem-solving

Technical leadership

Understanding of motor insurance risk

Job description

We are looking for an experienced and talented Data Scientist to lead our Risk pricing team. The successful candidate will have technical oversite and leadership of a team of modellers who deliver risk estimation into pricing.

The Data Science team at Acorn was created in February 2023, initially focusing on delivering price optimization for pricing, which has seen great success for the company, delivering 20%+ uplifts in profitability across our largest products. Today we operate a champion-challenger framework, rapidly delivering further improvements by being well orgainsed, keeping effective code bases across the team that enables us to work repeatably and at scale.

Job Title: Lead Data Scientist – Risk

Location: London, on a Hybrid working basis

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Risk modelling is the core of insurance pricing and therefore a major value driver within the business. Whilst the industry as a whole has improved methodologies over recent years, it is our belief that it is possible to do this better than anyone else and have our risk pricing be a genuine differentiator versus other insurers. Risk modelling in insurance is infamously slow, conservative and overly manual. We want to create something scalable and dynamic and able to iterate at speed which will work for a variety of products without masses of product-bespoke work.

We are looking for someone to drive an efficient and high value team producing risk pricing models, taking thorough and diligent actuarial insights and applying modern data science methodologies to maximise accuracy of predictions. You will control and lead how the team train and deliver machine learning solutions into production whilst ensuring we adhere with the necessary compliance and regulatory responsibilities we have as an insurer.

What you will be doing:

• Lead on both the structure and delivery of models to which affect large changes in the business and drive significant value
• Design, creation and execution of risk modelling solutions
• Building and execution of repeatable machine learning pipelines
• Technical leadership and mentoring
• Autonomy in the approaches used and solutions delivered. This is a great opportunity to build and own a process which delivers high value for the business.

What we are looking for:

• Solid statistical understanding and expertise in a range of machine learning methodologies
• A good understanding of insurance risk and how it is incorporated into pricing
• End to end experience of the machine learning pipeline, from data to production
• Excellent python coding experience
• A creative approach to problem solving
• Technical leadership and mentoring of more junior colleagues
• Detailed understanding of motor insurance risk
• Natural desire to act at pace, be innovative, while setting high standards
• An independent thinker and technical leader who can challenge the status quo of the insurance industry and drive the continued growth of the business

Grow with Acorn

At Acorn Insurance, we’re proud of our Liverpool roots — and even prouder of how far we’ve come. As part of the Acorn Group, we bring over 40 years of specialist insurance expertise to the table. From humble beginnings, we’ve grown into a national leader, now employing 1,700+ people across the UK and reached a milestone £750 million in total value of insurance policies written in 2024.

We’re growing fast, with new opportunities emerging every week. That growth is largely due to the values we share:

• 🦏 We run through walls for our customers and each other
• 🐐 We challenge the status quo
• 🐧 We succeed when we help those around us succeed
• 🐆 We decide quickly when the smart thing to do is use our judgement
• 🌴 35 days’ holiday (including bank holidays) with additional buy/sell options
• 🧠 24/7 mental health support & free counselling available
• ☝ Grow with us: Through career fairs, leadership programs, and learning on the go!
• 💸 Flexible benefits, including early access to salary via our internal platform
• 🏡 Hybrid working options to support work-life balance and individual needs

Our Commitment to our colleague’s:

These aren’t just words — they’re the principles we live by. And we’re proud to back them up with real action, earning recognition and accreditation from leading organisations that share our commitment to people and growth:

• 🧠 Mindful Employer– championing mental health and wellbeing
• ♿ Disability Confident Level 1 & 2– creating accessible, inclusive opportunities
• 🌸 Menopause Friendly accredited– supporting every stage of life
• 🎖️ Armed Forces Covenant signatory– honouring those who serve
• 🏆 Great Places to Work 2024/25– fostering an engaging and positive workplace culture
• 📈 Best Place to Work for Development– proud to be investing in people’s future
• 👩💼 Best Place to Work for Women– breaking down barriers to women's career progression

If you’re looking for a company with a strong culture, real career progression, and a people-first approach — all rooted in the heart of Liverpool —Grow withAcorn.

A Few Things to Know Before You Apply

We’re really excited that you’re considering joining Acorn! To help everything go smoothly, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

🔍 Checks & Clearances
All roles at Acorn are subject to DBS and financial checks. Any offer we make will be conditional until these are completed to a satisfactory standard.

🌍 Visa Requirements
Because our training is quite comprehensive, we can only consider applicants who have at least one year remaining on their Graduate or Post-Study Work visa. At the moment, we’re not able to offer visa sponsorship.

💬 We’re Here to Support You
We’re committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace where everyone can flourish. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process—or once you’re part of the team—just let us know. Whether it’s flexible hours, adapted equipment, or a bit of extra support, we’ll work with you to make sure you can do your best work.