Lead Data Scientist

About Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Working at Columbia Threadneedle Investments you'll find growth and career opportunities across all of our businesses.

We're intentionally built to help you succeed. Our reach is expansive with a global team of 2,300 people working together. Our capability is diverse with more than 550 investment professionals sharing global perspectives across all major asset classes and markets. Our clients have access to a broad array of investment strategies, and we have the capability to create bespoke solutions matched to clients' specific requirements. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our enterprise businesses — Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities.

Job Description

Where you’ll fit in & what our team goals are…

This role is a critical enabler of data-driven decision-making across Columbia Threadneedle Investments EMEA, based in London. The position reports to the Vice President of Columbia Analytics and EDAI AI Strategy and is a senior individual contributor role requiring expertise in Asset Management or Financial Services.

This role is specifically intended for an experienced analytics professional who has operated within an investment management or broader financial services environment and understands the data, decision-making processes, and regulatory context of the industry. Significant experience partnering with senior stakeholders in Asset Management, Investments, Distribution, Product, Client, and other related functions is essential.

The individual acts as a trusted analytics advisor to EMEA business leaders, translating advanced analytics, statistical modeling, and data science outputs into clear, actionable insights that directly support business decisions within an Asset Management context. Success in the role depends on the ability to connect analytical work to real investment, client, and commercial outcomes, and to communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders who are accountable for those outcomes.

Operating within a highly matrixed, global organization, the role requires strong influencing skills and the ability to lead without formal authority. The individual is expected to build durable partnerships across EMEA and global teams, ensuring analytical initiatives are tightly aligned to business priorities, enterprise standards, and the realities of an AM/FS operating environment.

This position is designed for a senior practitioner who proactively identifies opportunities where analytics, machine learning, and data capabilities can materially improve decision-making within Asset Management. The role emphasizes problem framing in complex, ambiguous situations, and applying analytical techniques in ways that are practical, relevant, and embedded into existing business processes over time.

While the role does not include direct people management, it is supported by a dedicated team of data scientists based in India. The individual provides leadership through clear definition of business problems, prioritization of work aligned to EMEA needs, and close partnership with global analytics resources. Accountability includes end-to-end ownership of analytical initiatives, senior stakeholder engagement, and informal guidance to ensure high-quality, business-relevant outcomes.

Overall, this role is suited to a seasoned analytics leader with demonstrated experience in Asset Management or Financial Services, strong business acumen, and the credibility to operate at director level. Impact is driven through insight, influence, and domain expertise rather than formal line management.

How you'll spend your time...

• Identify, develop and implement increasingly complex analytical solutions leveraging tools such as predictive modeling, advanced machine learning techniques, simulation, optimization solutions, etc.

• Engage collaboratively with business leaders and/or analysts to provide analytical thought leadership and support for business problems. Identify and interpret business needs, define high-level business requirements, strategy, technical risks, and scope.  Develop, document, and communicate business-driven analytic solutions and capabilities, translating modeling and analytic output into understandable and actionable business knowledge.

• Manage dataset creation including data extraction, derived and dependent variable creation, and data quality control processes for analytics, model development, and validation. May monitor execution of analytical solutions, including criteria specification, data sourcing, segmentation, analytics, selection, delivery, and back-end data capture results.

• Contribute to ongoing expansion of data science expertise and credentials by keeping up with industry best practices, developing new skills, and knowledge sharing.  Work cross functionally to develop standardized/automated solutions and adopt best practices. May provide technical advice and coaching to business analysts on best practices for usage and application of analytic output.

• Embed analytic programs and tools. Ensure continued accuracy, relevancy, and effectiveness and track process improvements once deployed.

• Ensure adherence to data and model governance standards that are set and enforced by industry standards and/or enterprise business unit data governance polices and leaders.

• May lead or provide informal leadership to a team of analytic resources.

To be successful in this role you will have...

• Extensive experience in Asset Management or Financial Services.

• Strong experience partnering with senior leaders to drive aligned, data informed decisions and business outcomes.

• Knowledge of advanced statistical concepts and techniques, e.g. skilled in linear algebra.

• Experience conducting hands-on analytics projects using advanced statistical methods such as generalized regression models, Bayesian methods, random forest, gradient boosting, neural networks, machine learning, clustering, or similar methodologies. 

• Experience with statistical programming (Python, SQL are must-haves while other programing languages like SAS and R are preferred) & data visualization software in a data-rich environment.

• Demonstrated project experience while working with AWS/Azure/Snowflake

• Proven executive presence communication skills, with the ability to translate complex digital performance data into clear, actionable insights that influence prioritization and investment; ability to communicate to less technical partners.

• Proven ability to apply both strategic and analytic techniques to provide business solutions and recommendations.

• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment. 

If you also had this, it would be great…

• Experience with big data technologies, Cloud Computing Environments (including container creation, management & deployment), Spark, etc.

• MBA or advanced degree in analytics, economics, statistics, or related field.

• Experience working in regulated industries or highly matrixed, enterprise environments.

• Experience modernizing or scaling enterprise experimentation programs and attribution frameworks

• Track record of leading analytics organizations through significant transformation or maturity shifts.

Full timePermanentData

Columbia Threadneedle is a people business, and we recognise that our success is due to our talented people, who bring diversity of thought, complementary skills and capabilities. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and performance-based culture where everyone can belong, grow, contribute and realise their potential.

We appreciate that work-life balance is an important factor for many when considering their next move so please discuss any flexible working requirements directly with your recruiter.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to racial or ethnic background, religion or belief, sex or gender, nationality, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, pregnancy or maternity or any other basis prohibited by law.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to aid your participation in the application or interview process, speak to your recruiter to discuss how we can support you.