Senior Data Scientist | S4 | Chief Data & AI Office | Milton Keynes

IT STARTS HERE

Santander (www.santander.com) is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.

This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

The Chief Data & AI Office (CDAIO) at Santander is responsible for setting the strategic direction for data, analytics, and artificial intelligence across the organisation. It ensures that data is managed as a trusted enterprise asset and that advanced technologies are applied responsibly, securely, and effectively to create value for customers and the business.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

The Chief Data & AI Office (CDAIO) is looking for a Senior Data Scientist based out of Milton Keynes.

This role is a fixed term contract.

As a Senior Data Scientist, you will work with vast datasets to develop models that solve real-world problems, collaborate with talented colleagues across disciplines, and connect with the broader AI community to push scientific and practical boundaries.

We are looking for curious, driven Data & AI scientists who want their work to drive innovation with real impact. If you love tackling big challenges, banking offers some of the most complex and high-stakes AI problems, from risk management to financial inclusion, done responsibly and on a scale.

We’re shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting-edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:

• Research, design, and implement advanced AI algorithms (ML, DL, NLP, and beyond) to solve complex problems.

• Leading the development and implementation of advanced analytics solutions, including predictive modelling, machine learning and statistical analysis to solve complex business problems.

• Translate business challenges into scientific problem statements and build impactful ML/AI prototypes and models that deliver business impact.

• Work with large-scale structured and unstructured data to develop models that are accurate, fair, and sustainable.

• Collaborate with Data Engineers, ML Ops Engineers, Product Owners, and Business Stakeholders to deploy solutions into production.

• Contribute to AI best practices, model governance, and responsible AI frameworks.

• Stay current with the latest AI research and integrate relevant tools and techniques.

• Communicate insights and results clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Foster collaboration with academia and the global AI community to bring cutting-edge research into Santander.

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WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.

The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Professional Experience

• Ideally, 6-8 years of experience working with vast datasets and developing models. (Required).

Education

• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent work experience supported by professional certification/licences. (Required).

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Languages

• English. (Required)

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Hard Skills

• Knows the existing state-of-art advance analytics and analyses their different business applications. (Required).

• Participates in the design and development of data mining applications. (Required).

• Monitors the operation and performance of machine learning projects. (Required).

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Soft Skills

• Conducts walkthroughs and monitors the quality of development activities. (Required).

• Provides management reports that identify potential business performance problems. (Required).

• Knowledge of the how's and why's of preparing and justifying business cases and value propositions; ability to justify business expenditures by identifying cost, benefits, ROI, opportunities, and risks. (Required).

• Knowledge of effective presentation tools and techniques to ensure clear understanding; ability to use summarization and simplification techniques to explain complex technical concepts in simple, clear language appropriate to the audience. (Required).

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WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT

At Santander, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return.

Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It’s about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you have on customers and communities, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive — personally and professionally.

Salary Range: 

• £76,000.00 - £114,000.00 per annum (depending on experience).

• This salary range represents the expected remuneration for the role. Annual salary is based on a standard 35-hour working week. Actual salary offered will depend on skills, experience, qualifications and location.

• 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, which increases to 31 days after 5yrs service, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year.

• £6,000 car allowance per year.

• Company funded individual private medical insurance.

• Protection for you and your family, with company-funded death-in-service benefit and income protection insurance, and the option to take advantage of discounted rates for additional life assurance and critical illness cover.

• Share in Santander’s success by saving or investing in our share plans. 

• As a Santander UK employee, you are able to request staff versions of our products like our Edge Current Accounts and Credit Cards with no fees, as well as apply to many other deals and discounts in Santander products and services.

• Competitive rewards that reflect the real impact you make and the value you bring.

• Wellbeing that goes beyond work — we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.

• Support for every life stage — from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support.

• Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.

• Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.

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Ready to be recognised? It starts with you.

LOCAL COMPLIANCE

At Santander, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation.

We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates.

We want our people to thrive — at work and at home — while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow.

To make this possible, our roles are site-based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles).

When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location(s). 

Right to work in the UK

• All candidates must have the right to work in the UK to commence employment with Santander.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.

If there’s anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch. Whether it’s a copy of our application form in another format or additional assistance, we’re available through email. You can contact us at [email protected].

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