Lead Data Scientist - Oakbrook

Title: Lead Data Scientist 

Location: Nottingham 

• Are you a data science leader who thrives on solving complex problems, building predictive models, and driving innovation across the full customer lifecycle?
• Do you want to shape decisioning, automation, and machine learning capabilities in a fast-growing environment?

If so, we’d love to speak with you!

ABOUT US

We are a global venture builder headquartered in London. With over 26 years of innovation, we've been at the forefront of creating some of the most groundbreaking GenAI-enabled companies. Our ventures lead the charge in digital disruption across a spectrum of industries, from FinTech to EdTech, GovTech to Media, and beyond. Our global presence spans the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia, with a portfolio that employs over 3,000 individuals, manages assets exceeding £1.8 billion, and boasts total portfolio sales of over £500 million. 

Blenheim Chalcot and Oakbrook

Oakbrook was founded and is backed by Blenheim Chalcot, the UK's leading digital venture builder. This powerful partnership provides us with a unique advantage, combining our fintech agility with the strategic support and deep expertise of a company renowned for building and scaling disruptive digital businesses. As a key part of the Blenheim Chalcot portfolio, we benefit from a vibrant ecosystem of collaboration and innovation, placing us at the forefront of the embedded finance revolution.

Formed in 2011, Oakbrook has brought together people with deep expertise in consumer lending, advanced analytics and forward-thinking technologists, with a shared belief that there is a better way to do consumer lending – by being more personalised and customer focused.

Our FCA regulated and consumer lending businesses are a leading partner to the aggregator market for consumer loans. Solving the borrowing needs of consumers, and connecting investors and funders seeking to finance consumer assets within their targeted risk-reward parameters.

We have a longstanding history of predictable performance for warehouse investors for our on-balance sheet lending, and forward flow lending options for investors and funders seeking to finance consumer assets without specialist consumer credit capabilities.

O6K, our business-to-business technology and analytics company, has built our proprietary technology platform from the ground up to support our own lending businesses, but is designed to offer white labelling and platform lending solutions for business partners.

THE ROLE

This role offers an excellent opportunity for a data science professional to develop within a rapidly growing organisation. The data science team is responsible for delivering insight across our marketing, fraud, underwriting, and customer management strategies. The successful candidate will be a key player in this team, providing leadership across a number of different areas. The aim of the position is to advance Oakbrook’s data science and innovation capabilities across the full customer lifecycle including developments within machine learning using innovative data sources not traditionally used by consumer finance companies.

Responsibilities

• Owning the development and maintenance of predictive models to improve customer outcomes across fraud, marketing, credit and collections
• Advance our autonomous decisioning capability including model deployment, setting policy, and testing across all areas of the business
• Developing test and learn strategies across different lines of business using data driven analysis, monitoring performance and providing clear recommendations to drive the company forward to help support the company’s ambitious growth aspirations
• Providing leadership and identifying opportunities to improve process and procedures through inquisitive analysis

KPI's and Deliverables 

• Model and Analytical Development:
  • Analyse, build and integrate machine learning models that have a tangible benefit to the business
  • Deliver valuable insight to the business through thorough analysis and excellent communication
• Quality & Communication: · 
  • Ensure all deliverables are accurate and error-free
  • Present findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences

ABOUT YOU

The Ideal Candidate

• Technical Skills
  • Experience with the full lifecycle data science projects
  • Experienced and knowledgeable in predictive modelling, machine learning and AI
  • Good programming skills in R, SQL, Python
  • Data visualisation and dashboarding e.g. Power BI 
  • Understanding of statistical concepts
  • Structure thinking and problem-solving capabilities
  • Ability to understand IT infrastructure
• Non-Technical Skills
  • Commercial acumen
  • Usage of Gen AI
  • Exceptional Communication and Interpersonal Skills
  • Strong time management skills
  • Discretion when dealing with confidential information
  • Self-motivated and proactive
  • Keen eye for detail
  • Willingness to adapt role in line with business requirements

Conduct

Oakbrook is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The FCA set minimum standards of individual behaviour, as such you will be required to abide by the following conduct rules. 

1. Rule 1: You must act with integrity.
2. Rule 2: You must act with due skill, care and diligence.
3. Rule 3: You must be open and cooperative with the FCA and other regulators.
4. Rule 4: You must pay due regard to the interests of customers and treat them fairly.
5. Rule 5: You must observe proper standards of market conduct.
6. Rule 6: You must act to deliver good outcomes for retail customers.

The Rules apply to the extent that it is reasonable and proportionate in the scope of your role, however, all colleagues are expected to strive to deliver good outcomes for our customers. You will be required to undertake regular compliance training, and we expect this to be completed within a timely manner.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Work with the Best
  Become part of Blenheim Chalcot, a leading global venture builder, and gain hands-on experience alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry.
• Challenge, Grow, Succeed
  Tackle meaningful challenges and accelerate your career with tailored learning and development opportunities designed to help you thrive.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package
  Enjoy flexible benefits including Private Medical and Dental Insurance, Perkbox discounts, Electric Car Scheme, Life Assurance, a competitive Pension scheme, and more.
• Generous Holiday Allowance
  Start with 25 days of annual leave, plus your birthday off! You'll also earn an extra day each year you're with us, alongside long-service rewards such as complimentary Bupa health checks and enhanced pension contributions.
• Vibrant Office Culture
  Enjoy free snacks and refreshments in the office, and connect with colleagues at our regular monthly socials.

Blenheim Chalcot is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Diversity is one of our core values, thus making it core to our business. We strive to maximize the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications from everyone. We encourage diversity through perspective, background, identity, and thought whilst also fostering an environment where everyone can express themselves regardless of your race, religion, sex, gender, colour, national origin, disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. We are committed to continuing to nurture an inclusive environment and building a diverse workforce.