Salary: Circa £50,000 depending on experience plus an excellent benefits package

Location: London, Fareham, or Swindon (Hybrid working)

The opportunity: 

Data and its use to drive the right decisions are at the core of how we work at Zurich. We are looking for a talented individual to join our data science team working exclusively on compliance and governance topics. In this role, you will collaborate closely with data experts and compliance colleagues to ensure we support the business in making data-led decisions, in order to meet Zurich’s commitment to our customers and to regulators.  This is extremely vital work, with an impact across the business.

Compliance covers a company's adherence to rules and regulations, ensuring we are always working in the best interests of our customers.  Our Compliance Data Strategy aims to encourage data-led decisions to mitigate regulatory risk, improve regulatory and customer outcomes, and present these insights effectively to stakeholders   Our goal is to bring more value from a business perspective through data insights, as well as a significant uplift in data analytics in our assurance and control testing, which now needs a dedicated individual to drive this work. You will be passionate about using data and advanced analytical tools to ensure Zurich does right by its customers, challenging the status quo when needed. We are looking for someone who combines this passion with proficiency in using data and AI/ML to solve problems in a commercial environment. The ideal candidate will be creative, curious, and approach problem-solving logically and with an open mind.

This is an excellent opportunity to work in a dynamic and supportive data science team while working on topics which span the whole breadth of insurance. The FCA have set out their own business plan and data strategy to better use data on a range of topics and there is a great opportunity to get ahead of these emerging requirements in our interactions with the FCA.  As such, we are looking for someone who understands the importance of being part of a supportive team culture, while also comfortable pushing their work forward independently. If you think this sounds like you, then we look forward to your application.

Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time. Please talk to us at the interview about the flexibility you may need.

What will you be doing? 

As Compliance Data Scientist, your main responsibilities will involve:

• Drive data-led decision-making across the business, working with stakeholders to help them understand how data can assist them in meeting compliance requirements.
• Assist colleagues in setting strategy for compliance activities using data, informing on the art-of-the-possible and best-practice.
• Pro-actively seek out opportunities to improve Zurich’s view of compliance adherence and our ability to meet regulatory requirements using data and AI/ML.
• Analyse data from a variety of sources to provide a picture of our adherence to regulations, and to determine how we best comply with new and upcoming regulations. Work with colleagues to determine the required sources and how they are best used.
• Use AI/ML and data science techniques to reduce the need for manual work in the compliance space, including analysis of structured numerical data and application of LLMs and similar tools to unstructured data. Promote an automation-first mindset where possible.
• Use data to tell compelling narratives and communicate compliance topics in simple language to deliver tangible impact.
• Ensure high standards of code development are met, including adherence to code management best practices and team policies such as submission and review of pull requests.
• Be a vocal proponent of both good data practices and compliance regulations, and able to communicate these ideas to non-experts, acting as a bridge between the two disciplines.
• Stay on top of existing and upcoming regulations relevant to Zurich in the UK.

What are we looking for?

Your skills and experience will ideally include:

• Strong analytical, structured, and interdisciplinary way of thinking and working, including the ability to think creatively with data and being comfortable with complex and ambiguous problem-solving. Happy to work on problems which have never been attempted before.
• Proficient in python and modern software development practices within a team of developers e.g. use of Git.
• Experience using SQL and working with databases.
• Comfortable working with a variety of data sources, both structured and unstructured and very large data-sets using distributed computing (e.g. spark).
• Experience working with cloud technology, ideally Microsoft Azure and/or AWS.
• Proven track record of development and deployment of machine learning algorithms, including supervised and unsupervised learning techniques.
• Excellent collaboration and organisation skills.
• Proficient communicator, who is comfortable explaining the value of their work to drive adoption and challenge the status quo.
• Comfortable working in a business environment where stakeholders will not have all the answers; yet understanding the need to be practical and to deliver for the business.
• Ability to think proactively and ‘join the dots’ across a complex landscape to see the bigger picture.
• An understanding of the importance of team culture, and a demonstrable ability to act as a role model to maintain a culture of curiosity, support and honesty.

Nice to have:

• Knowledge of R or other programming languages
• Knowledge of current UK AI/ML compliance and regulation.
• Experience with AWS Sagemaker
• Experience with Snowflake
• Experience with Databricks

As an inclusive employer, we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and can perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.

What happens next?

As an inclusive employer we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and are able to perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.

Who we are:

At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.

With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are a long-standing player in the insurance industry.

We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.

If you're interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our Culture:

At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers, and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic.

We’ve an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement, and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest-established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.

So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us. #LI-Hybrid