Collections Data Scientist

Are you ready to turn data into action and make a real impact? Thames Water is looking for a skilled and driven Collections Data Scientist to join our dynamic Credit Risk team.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of credit risk analytics, helping to shape smarter collections strategies, reduce bad debt, and improve customer outcomes. As part of a priority investment area, you’ll play a key role in transforming how we use data—working closely with senior stakeholders, digital teams, and data owners to deliver best-in-class portfolio management.

What you will be doing as the Collections Data Scientist
In this pivotal role, you’ll lead deep-dive analysis into customer portfolio trends, build predictive models, and support the transition to our enterprise data lake. Your insights will directly influence operational improvements, policy decisions, and long-term financial resilience.

You will also:

• Develop and maintain SQL-based reporting solutions to drive actionable insights.
• Collaborate with the Credit Reporting & Insight team to ensure analytics meet business needs.
• Partner with the Digital Team to align data governance and infrastructure.
• Work with the Income Leadership Team to shape strategy and support decision-making.
• Champion a culture of data-driven thinking across the Income function.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct root cause analysis of debt accumulation trends.
• Build and refine predictive models for credit risk and debt recovery.
• Provide insights to support the Bad Debt Transformation programme.
• Support the migration to a data lake environment, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
• Create scalable, efficient SQL code and reporting frameworks.
• Embed analytics into strategic decision-making across the business.

What you should bring to the role:
To thrive in this role, you will bring

• Proven experience in credit risk analytics, debt management, or financial modelling.
• Strong SQL skills for querying, reporting, and optimisation.
• Proficiency in Python and/or R for modelling and visualisation.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams and translating data into strategy.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms like Azure Data Lake, AWS, or Google Cloud.
• A degree (or equivalent experience) in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or similar.
• A passion for continuous improvement and data-led transformation.

Desirable Experience

• Experience migrating from traditional databases to data lake architecture.
• Background in Utilities or Financial Services.
• Exposure to SAP or DM9 environments.
• Knowledge of machine learning techniques relevant to credit risk.

Location: Hybrid - Walnut Court - SN2 8BN.
Hours: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive starting salary of £53,910 per annum.
• Annual leave: 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays).
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to both company and individual performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.