About the job

Job summary

Are you passionate about leveraging data science for the public good? Join us at the CMA and take a leading role in transforming how markets function in the interests of consumers, businesses, and the economy.

About the CMA

We help people, businesses, and the UK economy by promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour. Our work is wide ranging, ambitious and often new and challenging.

The Data, Technology and Analytics (DaTA) unit is an established and growing team, providing large-scale data acquisition, engineering and analysis for the CMA’s biggest cases and market studies. The DaTA unit helps the CMA to stay ahead, with expertise in technology insight, behavioural economics, data science, data engineering, , eDiscovery, and digital forensics.

We are fully committed to being a flexible, respectful and inclusive employer. It is a priority to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we welcome applications from under-represented groups.

You can read more about working at the CMA in our candidate pack

Job description

At this pivotal time, with the integration of the new Digital Markets Unit, the CMA is set to expand significantly, enhancing its capability to oversee the world’s most substantial and data-centric companies.

As the Assistant Director of Data Science you will lead a dynamic team responsible for deploying cutting-edge data science and engineering solutions. Your leadership will drive the development of innovative analytical tools and insights, crucial for high-profile cases and market studies. This role provides a unique chance to influence the strategic direction of data science initiatives, collaborate with other Assistant Directors, and engage with various stakeholders across the CMA and beyond.

About you

We are looking for a visionary leader with a robust quantitative background, evidenced by a degree in a relevant field or significant professional experience. You should have a proven track record of leading data science projects, with expertise in machine learning, AI, and advanced analytics. Strong communication skills are essential, as is the ability to foster an inclusive and collaborative team environment. If you’re passionate about data and it's potential to drive policy and regulatory decisions, you’re the perfect fit for this role.

Person specification

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application. For tips on how to make the most your application, please have a look at our guidance document.

Essential:

• A degree in a relevant quantitative subject OR the equivalent gained through relevant work experience - and significant practical experience of developing and deploying data science analysis and/or products. (Lead Criteria)
• Experience of establishing and leading a broad programme of analytical work, with a proven track record of leading teams to deliver high quality data science projects at pace. (Lead Criteria)
• Knowledge of a range of machine learning methods and AI techniques, and how to apply them practically.
• Strong coding skills in Python (or similar programming language) and knowledge of cloud services such as AWS and Azure, and data engineering tools and techniques.
• Demonstrable experience in building close and productive stakeholder relationships across different areas of business to deliver data science products.
• Ability to set strategic direction, managing competing priorities, and communicating decisions effectively.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, capable of explaining complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• A strong leader who develops an inclusive culture leading multi-disciplinary cross-site teams, with a focus on development.

Desirable:

While a good understanding of competition and consumer issues would be a bonus, it is not essential and the CMA prides itself on ensuring that staff can grow and develop their skills.

The role is open to existing members of the Government Economic Service (GES), Government Operational Research Service (GORS), Government Statistical Group (GSG), Government Social Research (GSR) and Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) professions and you will have the opportunity to retain your badged status in this role.

If you are a member of a Government Analytical profession (GORS, GSG, GES or GSR) please indicate that in your application.

It is not essential that you are a member of one of these professions as you will also be assessed against the Data Scientist capability framework as described in the Digital, Data and Technology profession.  You can learn more about this here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/data-scientist#headofdatascience-data-scientist

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £78,600, Competition & Markets Authority contributes £21,222 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and an online application form. Further details about application requirements are listed on the application form.

The selection process will comprise of the sift (CV & application review) and an interview. Arrangements for the interview will be enclosed in the invitation. 

Please note that it is essential that your personal statement is aligned to provide evidence that you have the knowledge and experience for each of the essential criteria (as included on the role profile attached and listed above under 'Person Specification') in your application. Your personal statement should be no more than 1250 words.

The sift will take place 11 - 14th June 2024.

Interviews will be held from the week commencing 24th June 2024.

The first part of the interview will comprise an of a presentation, details of which will be forwarded to you with your invitation to interview. The second part of the interview will be a 45 minute -1 hour panel interview where you will be asked questions based on the Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills outlined in the role profile.

Please note that interviews will be held on Microsoft Teams.

Reasonable adjustments

We want to make sure no one is at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process.  You can also email recruitment@cma.gov.uk.

For example, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional. You might also require additional time to complete a timed assessment or a sign language interpreter to support with the relaying of information.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.