Lead Data Scientist

Description:

Next, a leading FTSE-100 retail company and one of the largest names in UK retail, is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to join its eCommerce Data team at their Head Office in Enderby, Leicestershire. This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape marketing strategies by developing data-driven solutions that leverage advanced machine learning, causal inference, and experimental design techniques.

As a Lead Data Scientist within the Marketing Science function, you will be responsible for end-to-end project delivery, from design to deployment, while mentoring junior and senior data scientists. You will collaborate closely with marketing teams and agencies to address challenges and optimize e-commerce marketing initiatives, creating robust predictive models, marketing mix models (MMM), lifetime value predictions, churn analyses, and attribution models. You will also play a critical role in creating dashboards and self-service analytics tools to drive real-time insights.

The role emphasizes innovation and data quality, ensuring adherence to model governance and documentation standards while driving impactful recommendations to enhance marketing strategies and campaigns.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and deployment of advanced data science solutions for marketing optimization.

• Build and enhance Marketing Mix Models (MMM), predictive models, and attribution models using tools like Meridian, Robyn, and/or PyMC.

• Design and conduct experiments including Geolift testing, causal inference, and other experimental methods.

• Create dashboards and data products to enable self-serve analytics for marketing teams.

• Collaborate with marketing stakeholders to test, learn, and refine campaigns.

• Drive data quality, governance, and standardization across the marketing science function.

• Mentor junior/senior data scientists and provide guidance on advanced analytics techniques.

Qualifications & Skills Required:

• Strong expertise in marketing analytics and data science with leadership or mentoring experience.

• Proficiency in SQL, Python, R, PySpark, and dashboarding tools such as PowerBI or Looker.

• Experience in building MMM, customer lifecycle modelling, and multi-touch attribution.

• Proven skills in machine learning, statistics, and econometrics.

• Strong problem-solving and communication skills to translate complex data into actionable business strategies.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Statistics, Data Science, Computer Science, Economics, or related field.

Benefits:

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE, Lipsy, Gap, and Victoria's Secret products.

• Company performance-based bonus.

• Sharesave scheme.

• Free on-site parking and on-site nursery (OFSTED outstanding).

• Early VIP access to sale stock.

• Access to a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services.

• Apprenticeship and qualification opportunities.

• Wellhub - discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, PT sessions, and more.

• Discounts on partner brands and staff shop benefits.

• Financial wellbeing programs and direct-to-work collection service.

About the Organization:

Next is the UK’s second-largest fashion retailer and a market leader in kidswear, employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. The company operates over 500 stores and a thriving online platform delivering to over 70 countries worldwide.