We're hiring: Principal Data Scientist | Chester (Hybrid) | £70K–£80K Join Forge Holiday Group —the team behind Sykes Holiday Cottages, Forest Holidays, UKcaravans4hire, and Bachcare (NZ). We're looking for a Principal Data Scientist to lead and shape the future of data science across our brands. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role for someone ready to drive machine learning at scale within a flexible hybrid model (minimum 2 days a week in our Chester HQ). What you’ll do: Lead design, development, and delivery of production-grade ML & AI solutions Own our most complex, business-critical data science initiatives Drive system-level thinking—architecture, data integration, model lifecycle Champion MLOps practices: CI/CD, testing, monitoring, governance Translate business strategy into technical solutions that deliver impact Partner with Engineering, Product, and Analytics to align on goals and execution Mentor the data science team, guiding both technical and professional growth Champion ethical AI, explainability, and responsible innovation What you bring: Extensive experience delivering ML/AI solutions in production Strong grasp of modern ML techniques (transformers, transfer learning, etc.) Hands-on expertise with Python (e.g. Scikit-learn, PyTorch/TensorFlow) & SQL Deep understanding of model validation, monitoring, and retraining strategies Proven track record of leading cross-functional technical direction Familiarity with CI/CD, MLOps tools, and cloud ML (e.g. SageMaker, GCP, Azure) Excellent communication skills and commercial awareness Nice to have: Experience influencing data science strategy at org-wide level Background in eCommerce or consumer analytics Contributions to open source, publications, or industry communities MSc or PhD in a quantitative field (e.g. statistics, computer science, maths) What’s in it for you? Bonus scheme (up to 10%), 33 days holiday & your birthday off BCorp certified, wellbeing perks & volunteering days Enhanced parental leave hybrid working Work with modern tools & shape strategic AI use across the business Training, development, gym access & supportive leadership Exclusive discounts on stays across our brands We believe in Being One Team, Owning It, Communicating Honestly, and Learning, Growing, Innovating together. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds—your unique perspective matters here. Need support during the application process? Just let us know. Ready to lead the future of data science? Click 'apply' to see the full job description and more info. DataScienceJobs ML AI HybridWorking ForgeHolidayGroup BCorp ChesterJobs EthicalAI Python MLOps