Location
London Borough of Lewisham, primarily based at Laurence House with a hybrid working approach allowing up to three days per week working from home, subject to business needs.

Hours
Full time, with occasional out of hours working as required.

Salary
£57,180 - £59,394 per annum (PO5). All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point for the grade unless matching current salary with evidential proof.

About the Role
Join the Children and Young People’s Services Strategy and Improvement function as a Data Scientist, using data, analytics, and evidence to better understand needs, improve services, and support informed decision-making. You will lead data science projects using complex internal and external datasets to generate insights and support better decisions. Your work will involve applying predictive analytics, data modelling, machine learning, and data visualisation techniques to solve complex service challenges. You will develop models, identify trends, and translate analysis into clear, accessible data stories for senior leaders and non-specialist audiences. Collaborating across the directorate, you will help turn evidence into practical actions to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families. Lewisham is a vibrant, culturally diverse borough proud to be the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

Benefits
Generous holiday allowance
Local Government Pension scheme
Flexible working and family friendly policies
Season ticket and bicycle loans
A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
Supportive staff networks

Experience
Proven experience as a data professional with strong coding skills in Python or R. Experience interrogating complex datasets, developing models, and applying data science techniques such as predictive analytics, machine learning, and data visualisation.

About you
Curious, analytical, and confident working with complex data to solve real-world problems. Able to turn technical analysis into clear, practical messages for different audiences. Collaborative, creative thinker who uses evidence to support better decisions for children, young people, and families.

Qualifications
Relevant qualifications or demonstrable experience in data science or related fields are expected. A commitment to continuous learning and development is essential.